Door Removal before painting
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Door Removal before painting
Looking at the door hinge set up and what looks to be a pain in teh rear to realign, what are some tried and true tips that work to removal the door for painting?
Thinking of removing the top bolts at the door side of the upper hinge and just the pin from the bottom hinge. Any issues with that or any better methods?
Thanks
Thinking of removing the top bolts at the door side of the upper hinge and just the pin from the bottom hinge. Any issues with that or any better methods?
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 492
Likes: 3
From: Temecula CA
I've heard (though I've never done it) that you can drill a small locator hole in the hinge through the door jamb. Then you can line up the hole again with the same drill bit after the bolts have been installed to be sure that the hinge is in the exact same place.
Temvette72
Temvette72
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 6
From: New Port Richey FL
I've seen this done for smaller hinges like a hood or decklid. Haven't seen it done for a door. I'd think the thick hinge would be hard to drill through. I left my doors on for my repaint. I'd check with the body shop first and/or see how much it would be for them to deal with the doors. Good luck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
I did a lot of the prep work myself to reduce the cost. This is a quality shop but not a Vette specialty shop. I brought the topic up to them about realignment and they asked if I had any experience being I did so much of the other prep work. Told them I would find out what others have done.
I'm sure they can figure it out but if there are some pointers I'd be happy to pass them along.
I'm sure they can figure it out but if there are some pointers I'd be happy to pass them along.
Advanced
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge NY
I just reinstalled the doors tonight on mine. I knew if I didn't pull them for painting, I would never be happy. What I did was install the bolts loose, close the door, and used cardboard to shim under the door until it was where I wanted. Then I tightened the bolts with the door closed. Worked better than I thought.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
what i did was take off the bolts at the door side of the hinge. before you take the door off spray paint over the bolts and the hinge , this will leave a circle of unpainted area that is exactly where the bolt goes upon reinstallation.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
It works. I also like the idea of removing the top bolts and the bottom pin.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
yes, that way will work. but the gaps should have already been set before the car is painted. so if the hinges are marked and you install it in the same spot, there is no need to screw around with adjustments and risk dragging the door or scrapping an edge.