An important question

[Spokemywheel1975]

I just recently purchased a prewar 7 passenger sedan. Interior is original and in very good condition. Question is: the door panels have 60+ years of use on them. I can get them off the doors. Any suggestions on how to best clean them without destroying the material?

Thanks,

[Clewisiii]

Can you take photos so I can see the material.

[tcom2027]

I'm going to go way out on a limb here. What worked for me may not work for you.

My first suggestion would be to talk with an upholsterer, automotive or furniture.

When I bought a '46 Chrysler New Yorker with wool covered door panels, they, along with the seats and headliner were original and stained, especially around the handles.

FIrst I removed all the hardware from the door.

I started with a shoe brush with natural bristles and a vacuum. I went along brushing the panels with the vacuum hose following the brush. It really got a lot of dirt out, particularly the seams.

I followed that with a warm dilute solution of Woolite in a spray bottle. It foamed nicely.I sprayed the panels, not soaking them, it's a judgement call,  and brushed them gently and "dried" with a micro fiber cloth. You have to go by feel. When no more dirt came off on the cloth I quit and used a heat gun on low, kept well over two feet away and moving it around to dry the panel(s). It worked well.

I was brave but not foolish and left the headliner alone.

THe same technique worked on a '46 Packard.

It's a slow process. A lot can go wrong, especially if you get the fabric too wet or you are too aggressive. Tearing the fabric or stretching it are the greatest negative consequences.

I'm sure there will be a number of suggestions. Take your pick.

Good luck. Great you are saving the original material. I much prefer the original even if a little smoke stained or dirty than new modern non natural fabric.

tony