Top Catwhiskers

[Surfcuda]

Hi, I purchased a set of Top Catwhisker door panel felts. I cannot seem to get them to fit on my door panels. Does anyone have any experience with Top Cat whiskers? And is there any tricks to the trade as far as mounting them? Any help would be appreciated. 🏝

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[moparlee]

Top Catwhiskers are usually pretty darn good. Do you have the clip push in type or the ones that need to be installed with a screw? Your upper door panel needs to be compatible.

 

[Surfcuda]

Hi Moparlee, they are the push/slip on clip type. They are extremely tight and don’t want to push on. Any tricks of the trade or advice getting them on?

 

[Surfcuda]

Oh wow I didn’t know there were different door panels or compatibility concerns. That may be the issue. Head Scratcher. 🏝

 

[doubleyellow]

Oh wow I didn’t know there were different door panels or compatibility concerns. That may be the issue. Head Scratcher. 🏝

The 1970 are push-on clips for the “door side”. 1971 are screw in (I found this out the hard way).

But on the door panel I kept my originals and didn’t try installing the new cat whiskers. I could see though it could be a challenge getting them on the top edge of the panel. Are your door panels repros? Maybe the repros are a little thicker than OEM. Maybe if you file a slight bevel on the edges of the door panel it might get the cat whisker started.

 

[moparlee]

Oh wow I didn’t know there were different door panels or compatibility concerns. That may be the issue. Head Scratcher. 🏝

Sorry I thought you were asking about the door side. On the plastic door panel ones I haven't replaced any of those. Good luck with yours and let us know how it goes. Maybe Surfcuda's idea might help.

 

[Surfcuda]

Yes, these are the push on felt whiskers for the plastic inner door panels on a 1970. I tried some liquid soap, didn’t work. I can somewhat get them started but as I push along the end pops off. I don’t want to bevel the edge and screw the panels up, too damn expensive to replace. These are the original power window door panels for the car. Thank you for suggestions. Any one with experience out there please give me some insight. 🏝

 

[doubleyellow]

Ya, don’t mess with those original panels. Irreplaceable.

Maybe find a washer or smooth metal piece that’s tiny bit larger than the cat whisker metal channel. Put the washer/ metal piece in a vise and then pull the whisker over the washer/metal piece slowly to open up the channel. Challenge is to not kink the whisker.

I would use a caliper to measure thickness of the door panel edge. The use a feeler gauge across the whisker channel to measure the opening.

See how much interference you have, then try to open up the whisker channel

Maybe someone has a better hack to get those on. Protect the door panel at all costs !

 

[Xcudame]

A little KY jelly! Don't laugh! It works better than you think!

 

[Surfcuda]

Okay, those are some good ideas. I’m going to try your idea Doubleyellow to include Excudame’s KY application, if I don’t get anymore input from anyone who has dealt with this issue. I will keep you posted on the outcome regardless. TY 🏝