Can anyone teach me how to reskin a driver's door?

[SteveSS]

I think the door on my recent 1970 Coronet 500 two-door.is beyond dent repair. I know a lot of doors will fit but I figured the best cost-effective way to fix it is to reskin it.

 

[pnora]

Google is your friend.

 

[WileE]

Is an outer door panel available for your car ? I can teach you, but... that would be like a chef trying to teach me how to cook.... by typed messages. I'd "be able to do it" but, what would the results be ? Probably not edible. What is your experience in bodywork ? Welding ? Panel adhesives ?

 

[snakeoil24]

First order of business do you have access to a “new panel skin”?

 

[ckessel]

First order of business do you have access to a “new panel skin”?

What he said.

 

[YY1]

You may also want to re-think "cost effective" unless you are already fairly skilled at body work.

 

[Rich H.]

Disassemble the door guts, then gently grind the outside edge until the 3 layers are visible.

 

[Chargerjase]

See if you can find a donor door. I know these are a one year only part and you will pay, but it's the best solution.

 

[Rich H.]

Putty knife and hammer to separate the layers.
Then remove the skin from the outside.

 

[Rich H.]

Repair all damage to the inner shell. They were mostly bare metal inside, inviting rust.
Get all your repairs done, then blast the shell.

 

[Rich H.]

give the shell a few solid coats of a quality epoxy on both sides. Do the same to the inside of the new skin.

 

[Rich H.]

After welding the few pieces on removed from the old outer skin, install it using hammer and dolly to fold the edge over gently as you will find all over youtube. The special curved hammer is the tool needed. Before it's solidly installed, test fit it on the body to make sure it has not shifted into an undesireable position. Once hammer and dollied into place, secure it with several small welds. I used one about every 6" or so. Then lay down a few coats of epoxy on the outside.

 

[Rich H.]

Do your normal bodywork. I needed it straight and sanded to 220 to match the rest of the shell.

 

[Rich H.]

Prep and paint the inside. At this point it's ready to be hung back on the car and exterior completed.

I should probably start a build thread......

 

[Chargerjase]

Hey Steve, you can in fact get a skin from AMD if you want to go that route.
Body Components - Doors - Door Skins Body Components - Doors - Door Skins

 

[Kern Dog]

Google is your friend.

I know that is a popular thing to say or write but none of my “friends “ suppress truthful information, try to monopolize everyone and everything around them, strong arm every competitor and push outright lies.
Google is like the uncle that paid for your lunch but also lied and tried to molest you.
Carry on.

 

[eldubb440]

after the skin is "wrapped" over the edges, the door will flex and twist until a few tack welds are applied........ hang the door on the car BEFORE applying any welds........ you will be able to "twist and flex" the door to it's "happy shape" that fits the car........it only takes 2 or 3 welds to make it rigid, if you do it too soon you won't be happy

doors with a crash bar will remain pretty stiff, but these hollow B body doors are pretty flimsy

 

[moparwacko]

^^^^^^
What Obi-Wan says

 

[Rich H.]

Agreed, it's super important to weld the skin on in the correct location and you have to mock up to make sure you got it right.

 

[pnora]

I know that is a popular thing to say or write but none of my “friends “ suppress truthful information, try to monopolize everyone and everything around them, strong arm every competitor and push outright lies.
Google is like the uncle that paid for your lunch but also lied and tried to molest you.
Carry on.

You must of had a bad uncle like bad grandpa. Or maybe you are your own grandpa.