Set of 2 front door panels removed from a Volkswagen New Beetle 1999 - ELECTRIC WINDOWS.
*** Fits NORMAL HARDTOP MODELS only, THEY DO NOT FIT A CONVERTIBLE. ***
COLOR:
- Main panels: TAN - BEIGE
- Arm rest: TAN SYNTHETIC LEATHER
- Top: RED - COLOR CODE LG3L
*** The center inserts were re-glued from the inside with industrial grade construction adhesive. The fix is more than solid, and since it was done on the inside, it's not visible when the panels are installed. This fix is mandatory on those panels since the center inserts have a tendency to break from the panel with age.***
All cracks on those panels were fixed. First the area is glued together, after that the crack is welded with metal staples. Then the area is roughed up with a Dremel tool and solidified once more with Permatex Plastic Welder epoxy. This fix is very solid. All of those panels have cracks in them due to age, so fixing them is mandatory.
The leather on the center inserts is always sagging since the glue that holds it to the cardboard frame dried up. I tried recovering them with new material but that didn't work. So, as a repair, the original leather is stapled with heavy duty staples on the contour or the cardboard frame (not visible), and glued back onto the panel with industrial grade construction adhesive. This applies to all door panels, except those made out of solid plastic.
It's important to understand that those panels are between 20 and 25 years old. They're very far from being new, I did my best to render them presentable and usable, but they're not in a showroom condition.
Please make sure that your door hinges are in good shape, and that they are not rusted or seized to not put additional stress on the door panel's handles.
Condition - detailed description of each panel:
Left front :
Overall the panel is in good shape. There are some traces from everyday use on it which is normal for any daily used 20+ year old part. It can be dusty, but overall it looks good when installed.
- Top part is decent but does have some minor scuffs and scratches here and there. Decent, not perfect.
- It did have a fair amount of hairline cracks here and there and they were all fixed.
- Mostly the cracks were under and over the door pull handle. They have all been very well fixed and will not break again in those areas.
- All switches are there and all worked fine, none of them are broken.
- Leather is sagging on the center insert as they all are.
- Has some pen streaks on the center insert that I could not remove.
- Speaker grille had a little piece chipped off, it's repaired with epoxy.
- Window switch frame is permanently glued to the panel, but switches can be replaced.
- The door pull handle's cover was painted red, the paint is somewhat coming off and is dented. It's a removable part, so you can re-use the cover that you have.
- You will need to install the BeetleBrace bracket in the door handle if you do not want the panels to break. The door handle needs to be reinforced. The panels are extremely brittle as they are, and will surely break in the future if the bracket is not used. You can search online for "BeetleBrace bracket" and it will bring you to the needed website. If you have any questions about this, please ask.
Right front:
Overall the panel is in good shape. There are some traces from everyday use on it which is normal for any daily used 20+ year old part.
- Pretty much in the same condition as the driver's side panel but a bit better and less used.
- All switches are there.
- All mounting points are intact and the panel is relatively decent.
- It had pretty much the same treatment as the driver's side. All cracks fixed, center insert re-glued.
- The top part is decent but not perfect, has some light scuffs on it.
- Window switch's frame is permanently glued to the panel, but the switch can be replaced if needed.
- Installing the Beetle Brace bracket in the door handle is VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you do not want the panels to break.
*** Please be advised that the listing is for the panels, the accessories on them such as window switches, handles, mirror switches, even if they do come with them and were in good working condition when removed, are not warrantied.
All in all, they're in fair and usable condition for the year.
Please look at the high resolution pictures for the condition of the item. You will get exactly the items pictured
Thanks for looking!