Abstract: An interior trim panel for a vehicle door is provided according to alternative methods. The interior trim panel includes a bolster to which a polyurethane skin is molded by a spraying operation. Expanded polyurethane foam is sprayed over the polyurethane skin and a backing panel is either integrally formed or assembled to the polyurethane foam layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include interior vehicle trim panel having a sprayed expanded polyurethane layer and method of making same. In at least one embodiment, the method of making the vehicle interior trim panel comprises providing a skin layer on a spray tool, spraying expandable polyurethane reactive components onto the skin layer to form a resilient layer, and securing a rigid substrate on the resilient layer, such that the resilient layer extends between and connects the skin layer with the substrate to form the vehicle interior trim panel.

Abstract: An interior trim panel for a vehicle door is provided according to alternative methods. The interior trim panel includes a bolster to which a polyurethane skin is molded by a spraying operation. Expanded polyurethane foam is sprayed over the polyurethane skin and a backing panel is either integrally formed or assembled to the polyurethane foam layer.

Abstract: A method of making an integrated inner trim panel for a vehicle door and an inner trim panel made thereby are disclosed. The method includes sequentially spraying a skin layer, a padding layer, and applying a structural layer in an open mold that defines the facing surface of the inner panel of a door. The integrated inner trim panel may be provided with areas of greater and lesser padding. The skin layer may be formed from a reactant mixture of polyurethane. The padding layer may be a foam polyurethane composition. The structural layer may be a glass-reinforced polyurethane reactant mixture. The inner door panel is an integrated layered structure including a skin layer, a padding layer, and a structural layer. The padding layer may be varied in thickness to provide selectively variable padding in predetermined areas.

Abstract: A method of making a vehicle part includes spraying material proximate a surface of a tool to form a skin layer, and spraying material onto the skin layer to form a resilient layer. The method further includes removing the skin layer and the resilient layer from the tool and positioning the layers in a mold. Next, the method involves applying material onto the resilient layer to form a rigid substrate on the resilient layer.

Abstract: A process for making a substantially even thickness fascia part. The fascia part is prepared by placement of a plastic powdered material into an enclosed mold, heating and agitating the mold for distributing the plastic powder on the mold surfaces to provide a substantially even thickness fascia part on the molding surface. The mold includes first mold surfaces for defining critical portions of the mold which correspond to the desired portions of the mold for forming the finished shape of the part by melting of the plastic powder to a uniform film along the surface. The mold also includes second mold surfaces defining non-critical portions of the mold where it is undesirable for plastic filming to occur.

Abstract: A process for insulating a rotational casting mold for use in a casting process for making a substantially even thickness fascia. The fascia is prepared by placement of a plastic powdered material into an enclosed mold, heating and agitating the mold for distributing the plastic powder on the mold surfaces to provide a substantially even thickness fascia part on the molding surface. The mold includes first mold surfaces for defining critical portions of the mold which correspond to the desired portions of the mold for forming the finished shape of the part by melting of the plastic powder to a uniform film along the surface. The mold also includes second mold surfaces defining non-critical portions of the mold where it is undesirable for plastic filming to occur.