'77 fixing dented headlight door
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Race Director
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From: north of Chicago
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'77 fixing dented headlight door
I am in the process of stripping and painting a 1977 Coupe I just purchased. The car is clean except for a creese in the drivers headlight door (not cracked) something must have backed up into the car, bumper, hood surround, or hood was not touched or damaged.
I do not want to just add fender in a can to the dent (creese), I will be removing the headlight door from the car after I have it stripped.
My question is: do I apply some heat to the metal and lightly pound it out. Or use no heat and lightly pound it out, or should I just use the fender in a can and leave it on the car, or find a good used door?
(ya I know alot or's there)
An answer from somebody how has had to deal with this will be greatly appreciated thanks
I do not want to just add fender in a can to the dent (creese), I will be removing the headlight door from the car after I have it stripped.
My question is: do I apply some heat to the metal and lightly pound it out. Or use no heat and lightly pound it out, or should I just use the fender in a can and leave it on the car, or find a good used door?
(ya I know alot or's there)
An answer from somebody how has had to deal with this will be greatly appreciated thanks
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,686
Likes: 2,250
From: north of Chicago
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Winner -- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,686
Likes: 2,250
From: north of Chicago
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Winner -- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 271
Likes: 120
From: Rock Hill South Carolina
My right headlight door was bent to hell when I got my 77. I tried fixing it, but eventually I got to the point where my time was worth more than a replacement part.
You can certainly try heat or force, but more than likely it’s going to crack. It won’t take much heat to melt it either. But if you’re looking at a replacement anyway I guess it’s worth a shot.
You can certainly try heat or force, but more than likely it’s going to crack. It won’t take much heat to melt it either. But if you’re looking at a replacement anyway I guess it’s worth a shot.
