Former User

Fixing a dented front driver's door.

Part 4 in diagram here.

Does anyone know what is involved with removing and installing the door skin? Must spot welds be cut and remade? Or does it slide off? I don't see any bolts that secure it to the door panel.

Thanks

MSchu

I'm pretty sure that's a spot weld scenario. grind them off, and spot weld the new one on.

Maybe a Saturn had a true removable skin,

Former User

I was really hoping this^ would not be the case. How confident are you? Thanks.

94EG8

I've never seen a door the skin wasn't welded to or attached with some sort of panel bond. Here's a pretty good guide with good pictures on how to replace a door skin for pretty much anything:

https://honda-tech.com/forums/paint-body-84/replace-door-skinz-3129662/

Former User

Thanks.

94EG8

It really shouldn't be that bad Ron, zing around the seams with a 4 1/2" angle grinder and run a chisel under the panel to remove. I'd say the hardest part would be crimping the new panel on.

Former User

I'm completely ignorant about this type of work.

I think I get the grinding. That seems clear at the link.

What's the chisel part? To break the spot welds?

And then the crimping...so I assume the edges of the new skin must be precisely and evenly refolded...what tool is used for crimping?

And would the last step be spot welding?

Thanks.

94EG8

The chisel part is to finish separating the skin from the door, it may not actually be welded, it may just be crimped and attached with panel bonding adhesive.

There's a proper tool mentioned in the article I linked to, but failing that a body hammer and dolly will work I believe.

No welding, just panel bonding adhesive and seam sealer.