New Door Skins

[400PLUS]

Ive taken the old skins off and had the frames bead blasted and epoxy primed. Any tricks on putting the skins on?

I'm assuming you have new aftermarket skins, right? The only trick I can think of is just take your time. You can warp the edge of the skin if you bend the lips over by being too aggressive. I used a flat dolly on the outer part of the skin, and tapped the lip over. Worked out well for me. Then I tack welded them in place while I finished up the rest of the skin. They do have pliers that make this job easier. I saw a set in the Eastwood catalog.

[colorsand]

The "old school way" is to drill out the spot welds and then re-weld the new skin on. The "new age way" is to use two part epoxy glue to bond the new door skins to the frame. These adhesives are available from your local Body Shop Supply House. Re skinning is something you can do at home. Below is a good primer, don't scoff at the source, all shops now glue door skins on and have been doing so for at least 15 years! Your local Body Shop Supply has the correct epoxy.


http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...04.html?page=2

[400PLUS]

Thank You! They sure make it sound EASY. That helps alot.

[colorsand]

It IS Easy!!!!

You'll never see me glue a panel on, unless it can't be welded. Even still, there are better options. Just because all the shops do it, means nothing. It usually means they are taking the cheap way out. No glue forms a stronger bond than a good weld. GM glued my door skins on my WS6, and they came apart. So since I can't weld fiberglass, I used fiberglass to reattach them. Metal to bond metal, fiberglass to bond fiberglass, plastic to bond plastic.

[400PLUS]

I like the fact that it makes it easier to roll those lips over. Not moving around has gotta help. Will still spot weld the corners and top of door at least. Thanks for the ideas. Never had any luck on body work.