Foam-in-place seal and method

The present invention relates to vehicle interior components and particularly to a seal design for manufacturing a foam-backed panel. An injection molded skin has an edge which is substantially thicker than the major surface of the skin which is adapted to be fitted within a slot in a skin-receiving substrate, such that it forms a seal when cushioned urethane foam material is injected behind the skin between the skin and substrate. The method of manufacturing the panel includes the steps of providing a substrate having a slot formed therein for receiving a peripheral edge of a skin of material, introducing a peripheral edge of a skin material having a thickness greater than the overall thickness of the skin into the slot, and injection molding a foam polymeric material behind this skin with a pressure which seals the peripheral edge of the skin to the slot for completing the decorative panel so formed.