[Stan65]

I am getting ready to skin my 71 Firebird doors. I am using NOS skins. I plan on blasting the shells and priming with DP74LF. Should I tape off the edge where I am going to use the 3M panel bond leaving it bare metal or just panel bond right to the DP?

Thanks,
Stan

[1968firebird455]

Just run a 1/4" strip of masking tape where your sealing. That will give plenty of surface for the panel bond to bite and you will know that all the bare metal will be covered by panel bond or primer after it's assembled.

[dhutton]

Make sure you test fit the doors before the adhesive sets up.

Don

[Stan65]

Yes fitting them was part of the plan. It’s going to be tight on time. The only ones I have ever skinned were a pair of 29 Model A roadster pickup doors.

Thanks for the replies!

Stan

[1968firebird455]

I also highly recommend getting a door skin hammer. I have a Martin that I really like.

[Stan65]

1 door done!

I went back and forth on the impact bar. I needed to twist the door a little to get it to fit better and removing the bar allowed that so I went for it.

I blasted the shell, and repaired the bottom with a repop Camaro lower door patch. I only used the center and made the corners from scratch to make it look correct with the seams.

I used 3/4" tape to tape off the edges before using DP74/DP90 mix at a 4:1 ratio for a good color match to the original red oxide primer.

I followed the instructions on the 3M 08115 and laid a bead on both panels and used an epoxy brush to spread it on all the bare metal. After that I laid another bead on the skin. laid the shell in the skin and went to hammering.

As far as crimping the skin, I used a rubber coated heel dolly, and my trusty Snap On low crown body hammer.Once I got it flat with the hammer and dolly, I do the final crimp with the "Skinner" it makes it tight! (it is designed to to the entire crimp, but I only use it to help smash it completely tight)

Stan