Legendary door panel install

Sounds like you went to far when you cut out the pre-marked areas for the clips. You should only cut out 1/2 the thickness of the cardboard so that way the clip won't show so much.

Also the clips on the sides from the bottom going up were a different type.
They are flatter and made of stamped steel rather than wire.

If you have already removed the cardboard from the clip slot down to the back of the vinyl then you are screwed.

The only thing I can think of to fix it would be to loosen the vinyl around the edges and insert some plastic or cardboard to spread the load and show less of the clips.

I almost made the same mistake....luckily I looked at the old door panels I had before I ruined all the slots.

Mop