car71

hi 1971 vette, the fiberglass is separated from the door frame on the bottom of door about five inches of it,what can i do to fix it.and how hard is it to take off the doors. getting ready to paint soon.thanks

Scott Marzahl

It probably seperated due to rust of the door metal. I'd peel it away from the bottom of the door as much as possible. Sand/grind the metal to remove any rust. Grind/sand the panel to remove old adhesive and re-attach with epoxy.

The doors come off with 4 bolts per hinge. If you have power windows you need to unhook that wiring.

car71

epoxy any special type? doors upper bolts ,how do you get too them do i have to remove any dash panels.

Alan 71

Hi C71,
There's a small 'access' plate in the upper corner of the door that you remove (screws), to get to the bolts that hold the door to the upper hinge. You'll see the 'access' for the lower hinge bolts as soon as you take the inner door panel off. You don't need to remove any dash panels. The door's heavy so be prepared to support it.
Someone else will help with your 'bond' question.
Regards,
Alan

Scott Marzahl

I've used Evercoat epoxy for this job, no special applicator gun required, just a caulking gun.

http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=270

car71

thanks for the help guys.

1982CorvetteDude

I had the same issue, the old adhesive is wearing out.

I went to o'reillies and bought a tube of 3M two-part panel adhesive. You actually need a special double cylinder caulk gun to use it....I cheeped out and cut the tube and mixed the epoxy and hardener with a bondo spreader.

I just clamped it together with a few c-clamps and let it sit for the allotted time and it held perfectly.

This stuff is industrial quality, and not cheap, around $40 but Works great!

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Automix-Bon.../dp/B000PEW4MI

car71

I see alan you take the doors off and leave the hinges. I though you unbolt it from the car with the the hinges left on the doors.thanks

1Fordman

Also mark the hinge bolts in relation to the hinge, it makes for an easier time realigning the door for a good fit in the body opening.

Alan's method is much easier to do, sliding the door off the hinge arms is a good way to go.

Skip Burney

Mine had the same problem you really should use the SEM epoxy. I used the epoxy aqnd the body shop loaned me the 2 piston gun. Clean everything up and glue things togther and clamp if for 24 hours and it will be as good as new. I took my doors off by unbolting the hinges from the door and leaving the hinges on the car.

MakoShark72

How about Vette Panel Adhesive??

Scott Marzahl

It won't bond to the steel door shell like the Evercoat epoxy, 3M 8115 epoxy or SEM Epoxies. You can't go wrong with either of them.

I drill a 1/8" hole right through the hinge into the door shell before I remove the door from the hinges, it makes for an easy reference when reinstalling. Just insert a couple of 1/8" drill bits for alignment.