Door Panel Boots, Fits VW Aircooled Door Panels, 50 Pieces

OVERVIEW

When it comes to a high-quality restoration or a simple interior refresh, it is the small, often-overlooked components that make the biggest difference in the longevity of your classic Volkswagen. These Door Panel Boots, also known as molding clip seals, are an essential barrier between your vehicle''s steel body and the elements. Designed to fit into the factory-drilled holes in the door skin and body panels, these rubber grommets provide a snug, vibration-damping seat for your metal upholstery clips. Without these boots, moisture can easily seep behind your door panels, leading to warped hardboard backings, mold growth, and the dreaded rust that plagues many air-cooled interiors. By installing these high-grade rubber seals, you ensure a professional, rattle-free fit that mimics the original factory assembly standards.

Beyond their role in interior upholstery, these versatile boots are also critical for exterior trim preservation on early-model Volkswagens. For many years, VW used metal clips to secure exterior body moldings, and these rubber boots act as the primary gasket to prevent paint chipping and metal-on-metal contact. When a metal clip is pressed directly into a painted hole, it inevitably scratches the finish, creating a starting point for corrosion that can bubble under your trim. This 50-piece kit from EMPI provides enough coverage to handle a significant portion of your project, offering the protection your investment deserves. Whether you are building a concours-winning Beetle or a rugged daily driver, these boots are the "silent heroes" that keep your sheet metal dry and your trim securely fastened for years to come.

FITMENT

These door panel and molding clip boots are designed for a wide range of air-cooled applications. Please review the specific usage cases below for your year and model:

• VW Beetle (Standard): 1949-1977 (Interior Door Panels)
• VW Beetle (Standard): 1949-1966 (Exterior Molding Clips)
• VW Super Beetle: 1971-1977 (Interior Door Panels)
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1956-1974 (Interior Door Panels)
• VW Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): 1961-1973 (Interior Door Panels)
• VW Thing (Type 181): 1973-1974 (Interior Panels)

SPECS

Precision-molded to meet or exceed original equipment standards, these boots provide the perfect friction fit for standard VW clip diameters.

• Quantity: 50 Pieces per package.
• OEM Reference: 113-857-219A.
• Material: Pliable, weather-resistant synthetic rubber compound.
• Color: Classic Black.
• Application 1: Interior Door Panel Clip Seal.
• Application 2: Exterior Body Molding Clip Boot (Early Models).
• Function: Moisture barrier, vibration reduction, and paint protection.
• Manufacturer: EMPI.

PRO TIPS

1. Preparation is Key for a Watertight Seal

Before installing your new rubber boots, ensure that the holes in the door skin or body are completely clean and free of old, brittle rubber remnants or wax buildup. We recommend using a cotton swab dipped in a mild solvent or rubbing alcohol to clean the inner circumference of the hole. If you have recently painted your car, ensure the paint is fully cured before pressing the boots in. A clean surface allows the rubber to "seat" properly, creating the vacuum-like seal necessary to keep water out of your door cavities and away from your expensive new door panels.

2. Use a Lubricant for Effortless Installation

Installing 60 or more of these boots by hand can be tough on the fingertips. To make the process smoother, use a tiny amount of dish soap mixed with water or a dedicated rubber lubricant. Avoid using petroleum-based greases or oils, as these can cause the rubber to swell or degrade over time, and may even damage your paint finish. By lightly lubricating the "neck" of the boot, it will pop into the sheet metal hole with minimal effort. Once the lubricant dries, the boot will stay firmly in place, providing a steady guide for the metal upholstery clips to snap into.

3. Calculate Your Total Component Needs

Don''t get caught short-handed in the middle of your interior assembly! While this 50-piece kit is a fantastic value, a complete Volkswagen Beetle interior usually requires approximately 60 boots to cover all door panels and rear quarter panels. Furthermore, if you are also replacing exterior moldings on a 1949-1966 Bug, you will need approximately 45 additional boots for the exterior trim clips. We always suggest ordering two packs if you are doing a full "pan-off" restoration; having a few extras on hand is much better than having to stop work because you are five clips short of a finished interior.