Door skin metal work ?

rustover

rustover

Member
I'm getting ready to install this skin on the shell and noticed that the front edge below the center body line in low. It was really low, but I was able to raise it using a hammer and dolly to about a 1/16 inch. I also stretch the metal a little and had to shrink it. This edge is very difficult to move because of the 90 degree bend and the rest of the metal is flimsy because it has no shape yet.

I know you guys have a lot more metal experience than I do and wanted to ask what should I do. I'm wondering once the skin is on the shell it I would be able to pull this area up with a slide hammer. What do you guys think? Thanks, Russ





 
The flange will tend to lock that flaw in place, IMO the entire area, flange included needs to be stretched just a bit to fill out the panel. Think of a drawstring around a trash bag, tighten it up and it pulls down. If you think you can stretch the flat area near the edge as well as the flange consistently, have a go. The flange is your drawstring, so it won't do any good unless it can be stretched as well. It may be easier to fold the flange flat again and then work the panel, refold when satisfied with the shape.
 
Thanks Robert. That's what I was afraid of, that the fold would lock it down. I guess I will have to make some relief cuts on the flange and see if it will move any. I hope I don't have to straighten out the fold but it may not move any unless I do. It's really strong at that bend.

Also something I've learned is it doesn't take much to stretch the metal to the point of oil canning. I must be over doing it on my hammer on dolly.

Thanks for the help. Russ
 
Relief cuts would be the last resort IMO. Try unfolding the flange to a 45* and then you'll have better access to planish the flange while keeping the fold still..
 
rustover;n80284 said:
Thanks Robert. That's what I was afraid of, that the fold would lock it down. I guess I will have to make some relief cuts on the flange and see if it will move any. I hope I don't have to straighten out the fold but it may not move any unless I do. It's really strong at that bend.

Also something I've learned is it doesn't take much to stretch the metal to the point of oil canning. I must be over doing it on my hammer on dolly.

Thanks for the help. Russ
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Don't hold the dolly flat against the door skin, hold it at a slight angle so the dolly makes contact with the skin only at the edge where the bend is. You'll have far less deformation and also less stretching.
 
Bob Hollinshead;n80324 said:
Don't hold the dolly flat against the door skin, hold it at a slight angle so the dolly makes contact with the skin only at the edge where the bend is. You'll have far less deformation and also less stretching.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. I have worked it some as you suggested and It came up a little. I'm going to try one more time before I unfold the edge.
 
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