Anyone vinyl wrapped or painted their door panels?

I was forced to haul some gear in my passenger seat, and managed to mangle up the door panel pretty good. I've searched through all the threads, and I don't think the usual recommendations of hairdryer, or covering with shoe polish or 303 will work in my case (see pic below)

Since my driver's side is scratched to hell as well, was wondering if it might be possible to wrap or paint these panels, and how it would look. If anyone has done it, please post up a pic and let us know how it went.

Curious how vinyl would hold up to scratches/abrasions compared to this chincy plastic.

Yes I know its a truck and I use it as such, but I get tired of looking at this every day.

 

A hairdryer isn't going to get hot enough. A heat gun may help with some of it though. Have you tried that?

Edit: as to the question about painting them, I remember seeing a post where a member painted the upper softer portions of the panels, not the hard plastic. I can't remember who it was but they said after many months of use they were still holding up.

Edit 2:. A quick Google search produces several how to vids. I know they aren't specific to Tacoma's but some of the results don't look half bad.

 

From the research I’ve done it seems like the heat gun trick gets mixed results, a lot of times you’ll end up with bright or glossy spots. Plus I’m not sure it would work for the gouges that I have sounds like it only works on smaller less obtrusive scratches. Sounds like short of replacement wrapping may be my only option

 

I just vinyl wrapped several pieces on my interior. It goes on fairly well if you take your time with it. I just did smaller pieces and was pretty happy with the results. I didn't cover the door panels but did cover the door handle and power window panel on the door. The door handle was still waiting for the outer trim surround when this picture was taken. The vinyl wrap wasn't hard to work with and I did use a heat gun, a razor and a bondo spreader. I bought the tool kit and never used it. Surprised how well it clings and stretches. I had very little scrap. Its neat when you make a mistake you just put some heat to it and you can correct it. I was using Vivid products.
Originally I wanted to paint the parts but that was a disaster. I used to work in a body shop and know how to prep surfaces but there was so much crap used on the interior for cleaning it still made the paint lift in places.
Honestly if the surfaces can be painted in your truck using a color very close to your interiors color that would be the way to go. I worry that vinyl used in larger areas will react to the heat from the sun and wear. I went small knowing I can correct any problems the vinyl may have. Hope my fears are unfounded. I know silver is old school but Im old school. It works for me.

 

You could do what this guy did:

 

I tried vinyl wrapping door panels on my 06 Mustang and it didn't turn out to good, I think the texture might cause some issues but that was a while ago and there is better quality stuff now days
If you go with paint you will see the nicks and gouges if they are deep. If you go with paint use the SEM Color Coat, for prep I use SEM soap and SEM plastic prep.

 

Wow that came out really nice! Thanks for the good info

 

Exactly what I was worried about. I know the hard plastic trim pieces wouldn’t be a problem but I was wondering about the vinyl adhering to the textured plastic on the door panels

 

um, no

 

Did that in a miata once just to get some knee space.

 

I really think wrapping might work. Why not try wrapping it and if that didn’t work, paint it, and show us. It’s messed up anyways. I don’t think it will cost you a lot.

 

You can paint the vinyl. I never knew that was possible until last August when I was putting in Katzkin cardinal red leather and wanted the door panels done. They are apparently a PIA to deal with and the installer wanted $150/door panel to do those. I searched around and found products by S.E.M. Attached is picture.

 

They also make a product that you can use to paint hard plastics. It softens the plastic to where the color is "absorbed". Same with painting the vinyl other than the softening solvent is different for vinyl prep.

 

A good detailer can point you into the right direction or may be able to respray the door panel. Lots of times dealerships hire these guys to fix interior issues, burn holes,rips and tears. I have used a local shop in my area called Dr. Vinyl and for a similar issue on a older truck and had the panl resprayed.

 

That is great info thank you!