Fixing Door with replacement skin?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT USA
Fixing Door with replacement skin?
Several months ago had a guy back his Toyota truck into the driver side door. The door is gouged and broken in a couple of places.
Purchased what I thought was a door skin, tuned out to be a door shell with the metal frame attached. Since the metal frame is beat up and rusty, I’m not going to use it. The fiberglass part is good.
Without destroying the skin, is it possible to remove the skin off the frame so I can put it on my original door frame? Or, should I just use the replacement door to make patches for the broken door by cutting out the broken sections and glassing them into the original door?
Purchased what I thought was a door skin, tuned out to be a door shell with the metal frame attached. Since the metal frame is beat up and rusty, I’m not going to use it. The fiberglass part is good.
Without destroying the skin, is it possible to remove the skin off the frame so I can put it on my original door frame? Or, should I just use the replacement door to make patches for the broken door by cutting out the broken sections and glassing them into the original door?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: Fixing Door with replacement skin? (dsagers)
Although I've never done it I believe the door skins are only glued on to the frame. You should be able to get a body panel knife between the old skin and the frame and tap it around to separate the skin from the frame. You can get new door skins from places like Mid America or Ecklers. I think the price in Mid America was $399. If you sell the door you have now you can put it toward the new skin and save yourself the hassel of separating two panels.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 14
From: Lancaster PA
Re: Fixing Door with replacement skin? (dsagers)
the fiberglass skin can be removed but it is a bit tedious. If you use a heat gun or a propane torch you can release the epoxy. Place the door with the skin side down and heat the metal frame and you can easily release the skin. Carefully work your way around the sides and bottom using a very thin putty knife. The really tough part is at the top. It is bonded at the very top edge as well as down inside and around the handle. To have access to these areas you may want to cut the top 6" or so from the metal door shell. Then you can apply heat on the brace that is inside the door. I just did this job last week and practiced on a bad skin first (which I damaged badly). The second skin was removed with no damage. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.Good Luck, Craig :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Fixing Door with replacement skin? (dsagers)
With general prices for a good used bare door in the $100 range, why mess with this at all? Just buy a good door and swap out all your innards.
Shannon
Shannon
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
From: MOBILE ALA
Re: Fixing Door with replacement skin? (sb69coupe)
With general prices for a good used bare door in the $100 range, why mess with this at all? Just buy a good door and swap out all your innards.
Shannon
Shannon
