I'm Mark and a recent addition here.
 

I'm from the central NY region and I want to be a member here because I am restoring a 65 Mustang, 66 Mustang, 75 Lemans, and am fixing up an old beater 83 K20 [current project]. In this economy just slinging new parts at a restoration is just not possible. So using the techniques of metal forming and shaping is the best choice in addition to being a seemingly lost art. I have used a hammer or two in the past but usually to pound in nails or to break something but never to create. Now I hope to use this resource to assist me in my restoration projects and get past the hulk smash thought process for using a hammer. My main focus is door panels when patching how do I avoid warping and if warping occurs how to fix it; door panels are extremely difficult especially when you can't get inside to use the dolly. That's were this forum will be of greatest interest to me. I hope that the admins approve my membership here and look forward to all the help.

Hi Mark, welcome to the forum. That's a tall order!. If you cant get a dolly inside you will not be able dress the distortion. Welding something like a doorskin without warping it in the first place is pretty much impossible too. There really are no shortcuts to getting a good job. A new skin is often the best way of repairing doors, failing that joining using a welding method that causes little distortion and putting the joint in a place that will resist distortion is usually the best solution.

Often it is necessary to cut away some of the inner frame so you can get in with a dolly.

David

Hi Mark and welcome ':)

Hi Mark welcome to the forum
Peter

Thanks for the welcomes and..
 

David,
Yeah I was kind of thinking that I was gonna have to cut a hole big enough to get my arm through but was hoping for a miracle. I would love to reskin the entire door but there is already a bunch of work done to it [shaved mirrors and door handles]. The worst part is the patch had to go right smack dab in the middle of the door as the really bad rust was under the bodyside molding. I am using MIG as I can't afford a TIG.
Thanks again.
Mark

Mark... what David said is very true...
unfortunaly that's the way it is :D
Peter