How to: straigten warped door cards

[MiNiKiN]

Many know the problem I had with my rare and pricey Innocenti door panels and parcel shelf made from fibre board.

The parcel shelf was heavily warped and my Guinea pig for this de-warpping (i.e. flattening) process

• Thoroughly clean front and back

• Soak the backside with methylated spirit brush it in until spirit penetrates the board

• Put the parcelshelf between two plates of plywood

• Put some heavy weight on top (I used two jacks and other heavy stuff)

• Leave for a few hours and wait for the spirit to evaporate

Out comes a straight panel (repeat if necessary)

It also worked on my door cards, which required a bit more spirit and a repeated process.

[Peter Laidler]

Fine....... just so long as the spirit isn't breaking down the actual bonding material that has created the compressed fibre board. It'll soon break down hardboard!

[MiNiKiN]

That is exactly why I used spirit rather than water or steam - it softens, but doesn't seem to break the bonding. And it quickly evaporates again.
Secondly: the door cards warp due to water ingress, which means the bonding in this area is already weakened anyway.

Of course I take no responibility for any damages, but I think it should be considered a feasible way to save one or the other door card, where the vinyl is still in good nick.