I just purchased a new interior from "Airtex" for my plane. I really did not want to use the side panels from the old interior except for a pattern because the door pannel is really roughed up from getting in and out for so many years of use. Airtex does not mount the pre sewen fabric on the side panels for some reason. So my question is where can I get the side panel material to mount the fabric on? Or, do I need to go to a metal shop and get some thin aluminium cut out a pattern from the old and make that work. Thanks George

George,

On my twin, the back of the panels are made out of what appears to be .016 aluminum, which you can buy from Spruce, et al. I have the same problem that you do and am going to remake the panels. The more difficult part will be transplanting the from piece that serves as the hot air duct to the back seats. I am going to make on modification in that I am going to trim an inch off the bottom, but still run the cover down to the floor level. That will make it easier to install and remove without bending up the aluminum and it will make it possible/easier to get at the floor screws that are behind the side panels.

Kristen, check out this part number from Spruce. Since they are only a 2 hour drive from the house a drive in the truck is feasible
.
Part number - 03-30420 this is .20" thick 4' by 8' $54 per sheet
Part number - 03-30520 this is .40 " thick 4' by 8' $83 per sheet

both are in stock and I think it would cover the size of the panel with some trimming.

thanks G

George,

I am assuming you mean .020 and .040, not .2 and .4" thick. You will not be able to make it out of .040. That is way, way too thick. You want 2024-T3 aluminum sheeting in no thicker than .020, but Piper might have used even thinner metal.