6 replies to this topic

[Mito]

I reskinned the doors a number of years ago and have noticed there are large gaps at the top of the door between the window frame and a pillar/roof.

 

 1000035914.jpg   54.92K   5 downloads

 

 1000035915.jpg   49.36K   7 downloads

 

The gaps are pretty large on both sides but the passenger side is the worst. 

 

Looking at the photos from the seller before I bought the shell, it looks like these gaps are pretty similar to how it was originally.

 

 1000035933.jpg   79.79K   6 downloads

 

 1000035934.jpg   74.9K   5 downloads

 

What's the best way to reduce these gaps up?

[sonikk4]

Are those door frames the originals?? and are those skins Magnum??

 

Now if the answer is yes and yes then the realistic way to deal with this is to remove the skins and fit Heritage. Did the skins get trial fitted with the door frame in place?? i have to say looking at the pictures the answer maybe no.

 

HOWEVER!! there is another option but will need sections of window frame so you can splice in new sections to close the gap.

 

BUT that to me is the last thing to do. I would remove the skins, fit the frame to the car to move things enough to close the gaps up, pin the skin in place to match the swage lines and go from there

[Mito]

As far as I'm aware they are the original frames. They're certainly the ones that came with the car.

 

The door skins are heritage skins.

 

There's a sizeable gap at the bottom of the door as well but I think this is more due to the step being replace with a magnum step and it not having the right profile. 

 

The doors were trial fitted on the shell when they were reskinned but this was my first ever attempt so I could have messed it up.

[sonikk4]

Ok, now depending on how well you welded the skins on will dictate if they can be removed with minimal damage. they will need to come off as there is no way you will get the swage lines to line up if you slot the hinge holes on the A post to raise the door.

 

So try and remove the skins first, then repositon the door frames and trial fit the skins again. You should be able to close those gaps up better than they are now as looking at your pictures before the reskin the gaps looked quite good.

 

Dont fret about the bottom of the skin, you can use some TIG welding rod to weld to the bottom of the skin to close the gap up, the same applies on anywhere else of the door skin the gaps look too big. 3.4mm welding filler rod springs to mind.

 

You can see how that is done by looking at Project Paddy in my signature.

[sonikk4]

Page 38 onwards. https://www.theminif...rebuild/page-38

[Mito]

I think i welded the bottom corners of the skins, so may struggle to get them off but will give that a try. Thanks.

[mab01uk]

A few years ago I bought a complete cheaper 'pattern' Mk3 Mini door (can't remember if it was Magnum) and it had similar large gaps at the top around the frame, the original rusty door fitted perfectly....so I returned the pattern door and repaired the original rusty door with a Heritage door skin..