How can I fix this?

G

grogetter

Final sand and buff done but something moved and this happened on the front of the driver's side door. There was an interference fit between the door and the fender. Popped this little bit of filler and paint off of the front edge. It's about 1/2" long.
Any ideas on how to fix it with minimal rework of the door panel?
Thanks IMG_2380.jpgIMG_2381.jpg
 
Now that I look at this on a monitor and not a phone screen, that filler looks like it is delaminating underneath. Also, the thickness of the filler appears to be thicker than the folded area of the door skin flange. IMO that is excessive and needs some metal work/door adjustment to limit the amount of filler. As crash said, it's coming back later.... Adhesion looks sketchy at best, and based on rust underneath I would strip the entire door. This shows why you spray with epoxy first, rust from condensation (from the heat of the filler) does not help adhesion one bit.

filler.jpg
 
It almost looks like rust under the filler, I'd be really concerned about that if it actually is rust. Has it seen any weather since it's been opened up like that?
No. That's probably from the original "repair".
Are you sure you don’t need to open up the gap a bit more? The pitfalls of filler on the edge.
Definitely. I have the fender off now for several reasons and will properly gap it when I reinstall it.
 
Grind it out, epoxy it, smooth it out, paint it and the adjacent panel. It's rusting under the paint, so if you don't do it right, it will just come back later.
I know I'll have to grind out and fill. I'm more worried about how to wind up with the base/clear being level with the surrounding area.
 
Back
Top