Door skin separation
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: The Netherlands EUR
Door skin separation
Hi Guys, this morning i noticed that the lower part of my passenger side door ('80 Vette) was not lining up with the rocker panel and was sort of bulging out half an inch or so. Further investigation shows that the door skin was not attached in the middle of the door anymore, only on the front and back of the door. It looks like the fiberglass skin is separating from the steel inner door. I could stick my finger in the gap in the bottom of the door.
Does this sounds familiar/does this happen often?
Can i re-bond it or do i have to take the skin completely off before glue-ing it back on?
Thanks for sharing.
Does this sounds familiar/does this happen often?
Can i re-bond it or do i have to take the skin completely off before glue-ing it back on?
Thanks for sharing.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: The Netherlands EUR
So the route to take is clean the gap, put adhesive in it and clamp it in position until the bond is cured?
Wondering why this happens, just 33 year old adhesive finally givin'up?
Wondering why this happens, just 33 year old adhesive finally givin'up?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 7
From: Wake Forest NC
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
I had that issue on my 71 at the bottom of the door. I used a paint stick and folded 150 grit sandpaper over it to clean up the old adhesive between the skin and the door frame before applying adhesive and using spring clamps.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 7
From: Wake Forest NC
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 454
Likes: 7
From: SB County CA
the only thing I would add is rather than just clamp it, you should clamp it accordingly to set it at the proper depth/alignment. this may not be too much of a factor depending on where the separation has occurred...hope this explanation makes sense?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
You will want to clean the disbonded surfaces really good.
Here is my experience with this problem. 72 corvette, fairly rust free desert car. Passenger door skin was disbonded in 2 areas. I first reattached using a hi strength epoxy made for bonding, evercoat maxim.
While adjusting the door fit on the body, 1 area again became disbonded. At this point I resigned myself to a full investigation. I removed the skin from the door. Found a 6" section where surface rust had formed andl prevented a good bond. In my opinion there was no other way to adequately repair my problem without complete skin removal. I probably could have re used the skin, but I am now waiting for delivery of a new panel.
I sand blasted the rust, cleaned and epoxy primed the entire door structure. I'm doing a body off restoration so paint match etc is not a problem. Just really look hard at your area of concern.
Here is my experience with this problem. 72 corvette, fairly rust free desert car. Passenger door skin was disbonded in 2 areas. I first reattached using a hi strength epoxy made for bonding, evercoat maxim.
While adjusting the door fit on the body, 1 area again became disbonded. At this point I resigned myself to a full investigation. I removed the skin from the door. Found a 6" section where surface rust had formed andl prevented a good bond. In my opinion there was no other way to adequately repair my problem without complete skin removal. I probably could have re used the skin, but I am now waiting for delivery of a new panel.
I sand blasted the rust, cleaned and epoxy primed the entire door structure. I'm doing a body off restoration so paint match etc is not a problem. Just really look hard at your area of concern.
Last edited by Sunstroked; Dec 4, 2013 at 04:54 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jul 21, 2017 at 03:36 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 136
From: PHOENIX, AZ Yes, it's true. You are a good woman. Then again, you may be the Antichrist.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 174
From: Deerfield Illinois
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Then glue and clamp overnight .