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 Door skin question

 Created by: hotelcalif
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 Posted: Apr 25, 2019 05:16PM
Total posts: 331
Last post: Oct 22, 2021
Member since:Sep 10, 2007
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US
My first question is, do you have any experience doing this?
Second, do you have the necessary tools?
If you answer yes to 1 and 2, lets move on.
Once the old skin is removed, check the door shell for any needed repairs, dents that may cause a poor fit, or RUST. 
If all is well, a good round faced body hammer and a nice 6 - 8 inch piece of 2X4 works well as a dolly. The traditional steel dolly will leave the novice body man with some serious filler work. Nobody wants to bondo up a new skin.
Once you have all the edges rolled over nice and neatly, do a test fit by hanging the door before welding anything.
Doing this one extra step is worth the time.
If everything is to your liking, go ahead and put a few tack welds (preferably MIG) in each corner, and at the base of the window frame. Clean it all up, etch prime the bare metal areas, seam seal and Bob's your Uncle.
If your forearms don't feel like you just had an hour at the gym with Popeye the Sailor, go ahead and do another one.

IF IT WEREN'T FOR PHYSICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, I'D BE UNSTOPPABLE

 Posted: Apr 25, 2019 05:14AM
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David, It has been years since I re-skinned a door.  However, I did not use any sealer/bonder on the perimeter.  I just hammered and dollied the edge over gradually.  The top front corner the of the old door skin had been brazed.  I believe I ground the brass away and just tack welded that corner.  Again, it's been a long time.

Doug L.
 Posted: Apr 25, 2019 01:09AM
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I have never done door skins on a MK 1. Do you guys use the adhesive on the frame or just roll the edge over? I suppose you weld where it meets the window frame.