Panel Misalignment Question

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Mar 16, 2009 | 04:50 PM

J. Scott

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Joined: Jan 2008

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From: Beaumont TX

Panel Misalignment Question

What would you do about this misalignment?

Leave it alone?
Build the fender up?
If so what products and procedures would you use?

Thanks,

John

Last edited by J. Scott; Mar 16, 2009 at 04:58 PM.

Mar 16, 2009 | 05:13 PM

zwede

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From: Plano TX

What's the history here?

Is the door off or the surround?

If it's the door, has the skin come loose from the frame?

Has the car been fitted with a new surround? If so, break it loose and re-bond in the correct location.

I would not just slap a bunch of filler on top.

Mar 16, 2009 | 05:51 PM

J. Scott

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Joined: Jan 2008

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From: Beaumont TX

The door is fine. It's where the upper fender comes to a point that is the problem. It just tucks in too far right at the windshield pillar.

Mar 16, 2009 | 07:34 PM

zwede

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From: Plano TX

OK, in that case bust the surround loose and rebond it where it needs to be. It might seem like a lot of work, but I think you'll find it is actually quicker than to try adding filler.

Mar 18, 2009 | 03:44 PM

J. Scott

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Instructor

Joined: Jan 2008

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From: Beaumont TX

zwede: I bought the car from Mike Flash, owner of Corvette Specialists here in Beaumont. My shop is just down the road from mine and he dropped by and showed us how to break the bond just as you suggested. We used a narrow metal putty knife like a chisel along the joint to break bond.

We made a tiny wedge from a small piece of a paint mixing stick. By adjusting the depth of the wedge into the crack of the separated bond we got the fender panel tip to lift up and align quite nicely with the edge of the door. Mike gave us the tail-end of a tube of Automix 8243 SMC/Fiberglass Repair adhesive to fill the gap. Now it will be better than new.

Thanks again for your input.