Quilted Door Cards

Reupholstering a Miata door panel is not that expensive or difficult, but it makes a great difference on the interior. My one recommendation on this project is to buy extra fabric; as soon as you finish this you will feel the urge to make matching transmission tunnel and parcel shelf covers. If you use thick foam-backed fabric like this, don’t be afraid to downsize the the panel a tiny bit around the edges and corners, otherwise the extra bulk will catch on the door frame.

Removing fabric, clips, and speaker guards from original door card

Removing original stapled door card cover fabric/vinyl

Water-damaged and warped original door card

Warped and ripped original door card panel

Creating new door card panel from 1/8 inch hardboard

Painting over original door card to mark cut lines

Cutting out new door card from painted template with oscillating multi-tool

Drilling/cutting clip keyholes and marking speaker location for new larger speaker grill

Laying out new quilted vinyl fabric from ebay

Original door card fabric over new quilted fabric to align diamond quilting direction

Trimming new fabric and attaching to new door card with spray adhesive

Cutting tabs and wrapping door card with fabric

Tabs cut for wrapping around curves of door panel

Checking position of metal clips from original door panel

Cutting out original clip rivets with hacksaw

Cleaning and sanding metal clips for better epoxy bond

Marking clip locations based on original door card

Applying 2-part epoxy to door card for metal clip risers

Attaching metal clips to new door panel with epoxy

Replacing old plastic clips, Nissan replacements had the right attachment size for 1/8 inch hardboard, original blue clips were reused for metal riser attachments

Door Card Clip Part Numbers

Mazda GJ6A-68-AB1

Mazda GJ6R-68-ABX

Mazda G352-68-ABX

Nissan 80999-VE000

Wrapping and gluing new fabric around door card, and attaching new Nissan clips

Wrapping door card and starting on trim pieces and clips

Preparing speaker grill screws with black paint

Drilling mounting holes for speaker grill

Cleaning and refreshing door handle plastic

Part	Price
ebay Quilted vinyl 2″x3″ diamond 3/8″ foam upholster fabric	$44
Parts Express 6-1/2″ Car Type Steel Mesh 2-Piece Speaker Grill with Plastic Mounting Ring	$7
Nissan 80999-VE000 Clips x 25	$9
1/8″ hardboard	$12
2-part epoxy, spray adhesive, black plastic restorer	~$20