dr bob

Use caution with the rivet gun. Pulling the pin through the rivet puts a lot of very local squeeze and radial expansion on the plastic holes. In tired plastic that typically means cracking. I think I'd be looking at a modern adhesive solution, like the Loctite structural adhesive that comes in a caulking-gun tube from the home stores. Disassemble the pieces and remove the old staples, clean, thin adhesive bead, clamp for a day.

Kevin in Atlanta

True. That's why I always recommend the rivet washers or a suitable backing- that will spread the load and avoid cracks. The use of the adhesive carries the risk that moisture get in there again and will start to de-laminate the porous door card material. My 2 cents.

dr bob

Not just any moisture. This is Randy V! What if a bottle leaks or his glass falls in there full? It's hard to drive while talking on the phone with one hand and holding the martini with the other. Stuff spills!

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I guess I don't think that there's much difference in moisture susceptibility. If you seriously worry about moisture there, drill a drain hole. The backside of the door panel is protected from moisture by the plastic membrane fixed to the metal. Stuff spilled inside the door compartment could go out the drain hole. Not saying that it would never get wet in there, just that I don't remember ever having anything on or above the door handle that might spill in there. I do carry a good-sized MagLite flashlight/kablooey bat in there, wrapped in a hand towel. The towel would probably hold a martini in a pinch.

Backing metal or washer behind the rivets would be OK, I'm sure. I just don't like the localized stress on either the plastic or the pressboard door panel material with the rivets.

James Bailey

How many condoms are you stuffing in there ??

Randy V

Where are these screws located?

Kevin in Atlanta

He might be referring to the two Philips head screws that secure the bottom of the door card to the door.

Randy V

Thanks, man - really appreciate your help on this one!

yardpro

the crack is coming from the staples.

i am recovering my door and the storage compartment had the door card side vinyl coming loose.

i removed the plastic portion of the compartment.

i driled holes and used small rivets to hold it in place.

i has several sections that were cracked, so i jb welded the rim back together first.... so far so good.