77-80 Scottsdale door panels

[got2haul]

I scored a set of 77-80 Scottsdale door panels recently.  The door panels themselves are in as good as, if not better shape than the Custom Deluxe door panels that are in my truck right now, except, although the plastic chrome trim (2 for each door, a large one and a small one) are unbroken, the chrome finish is worn off in a couple of areas.  I've been looking online for replacements, but can only find the smaller trim pieces, and they are about $25-$30 each.  I'm contemplating painting the trim pieces silver to match the dash trim, but I would prefer new, original trim for both originality and style.  Anyone know where these can be purchased?  Here's a picture of a representative door panel with the chrome trim attached (not my panels, just a picture I found -- mine are already disassembled.)

[Captkaos]

www.cheyennepickup.com PN 4379 or 4380 I believe.
or
www.gspp.com

[bigblock73]

You need part number 4381 from Cheyenne Pickup.com...the ones Chris listed are for the next trim level up from yours.

They don't have any it appears anyhow.

Even so, their prices seem high.  I know this stuff isn't reproduced...but $200 each?

I have the same problem with my panels...the chrom is gone.  I simply steel-wooled the rest of it off, painted them silver with SEM paint.  I need to do the door handle cups to match, and have peeled off the chrome on one, but the other is fighting me.  Wondering if there is an easier way to remove it somehow.

[got2haul]

Thanks.  I emailed them to see if they are still available.  I have the part numbers from the originals, I may go by the local dealership to see if they can get them.

There are several options to use with this style door panel.  Some that I can think of off the top of my head are: upholster the larger area that's surrounded by the chrome strip.  Paint the same area a contrasting color -- maybe the same color as the truck so it would match the lower part of the dash and bottom of the doors or silver to simulate the Cheyenne/Silverado door panels.  Paint the chrome strips silver, or body-color, or some other color -- even the same color as the door panel (but then it looks like the Custom Deluxe panel, which is what I already have installed).  Paint the whole door panel a contrasting color or the same color as the truck and the center part the regular interior color (in this case, saddle).  I won't be making any decisions until I determine whether I can locate a decent set of molding trim or I'll need to reuse the originals.

[77chevystepside]

I have a 77 Scottsdale and it had saddle colored panels. Painted the panels black with SEM and painted large trim pieces the color of the truck. My handle trim was still good except for one that had a little chrome flaked off. I lightly sanded with 1000, used plastic prep spray and rattle can chrome and it turned out ok.
Junk yards are really your best resource but very few of our trucks left out there with parts on them. The posts for the nuts broke off on some of my pieces so I had to drill into the post and use a screw and washer to reinstall them. In hindsight, I wish I had painted the handle trim the same color as the truck. Now I just can't stand the thought of jerking the panels off again to do it. There are some pictures of my door panels in the Picasa web album.

[got2haul]

77chevystepside, I took a look at your picasa pics -- nice job!  I like the effect of painting the door trim piece the truck's body-color.  It really sets the trim off and gives the door panel a custom and "finished" look.

[78 Chevyrado]

I painted mine silver.  The chrome would look a bit nicer, but I don't know how much I'd be willing to pay for them. 

Also a tip:  if the studs on the trim piece break off and only leave that little nub, as long as there is enough nub to grab onto through the door panel, a 1/4-20 nut will self thread right on the stud and will hold it very well.

Mine in with silver trim

[chevyman350_82]

That looks good...I like it and that looks like a journey record on the self lol if so good choice in music

[77chevystepside]

Hey 78, your panel really looks great. I think the trim piece looks great too. Several of my trim piece posts broke off almost flush with the trim so could not even get a nut to start. Very small screws and washers did work. Tried gluing the post pieces back on and that was a wreck. No glue I found was strong enough to withstand the twisting of the nut. May sound dumb but, I sprayed the posts with silicone when I put it all back together-the nuts tightened easily and no more broken posts.

[Skunksmash]

Yeah that panel does look nice. Anyone happen to know what the name of the factory color for it is?