Door Skin Advice

[designergraphics]

We need to replace the offside door skin and wondered whether we should go for a pattern replacement at £63.00 or a SOCTFL skin at £138.00. On past experience, does anyone think it's worth paying the extra for the SOCTFL skin or does the cheaper skin do the job nicely?
Thanks,
Clive

[Bob Heritage]

The SOCTFL panel will fit, the pattern one will need some extra work. What is the problem? is it just the bottom of the door skin. Years ago before the SOCTFL ones were available it was standard practice among many that the bottom third of the pattern skin was cut off and pieced to the original. There were problems with the curved part at the top by the front wing and by the handle. Your choice.

Bob

[V Mad]

In my experience, the only part that needs replacement is the door bottom. Also, have a look at the door shut lines on your existing door, then consider will a reskin be as good?

IMO it's much easier to replace a strip along the bottom.

[designergraphics]

Thanks both! It's only the bottom few inches that are gone so we'll do as you suggest.

[V Mad]

I had a local sheet metal Co make me up a strip of sheet steel with a 135 degree bend along one edge. That made the job so much easier.

[new to this]

We need to replace the offside door skin and wondered whether we should go for a pattern replacement at £63.00 or a SOCTFL skin at £138.00. On past experience, does anyone think it's worth paying the extra for the SOCTFL skin or does the cheaper skin do the job nicely?
Thanks,
Clive

the SOCTFL skins are out of stock at the moment but due in shortly,i bought the only SOCTFL one i could find drivers side last week

dave

[designergraphics]

I'll look into having a sheet like that made Chris, thanks for the tip. Dave, robsport have got SOCTFL skins advertised at the moment, unless you bought from them. If so you've saved me a few pounds

[Philip Wardle]

Hello all,

The problem with availability of all SOCTFL-funded panels including door skins is that there was a delay in re-establishing production after Envisage Group pulled out with no notice, and of course a backlog of demand built-up in the meantime. The new manufacturer is having to gradually add capacity by recruiting and training more staff. All of the usual suppliers are placing orders for door skins but selling out quite quickly, so you may need to register you interest with one of them and be prepared to wait till they get new stock.

The alternative approach is, of course, to fabricate a repair section as described above - its a perfectly sound solution depending on personal preference.

Best regards
Philip

[designergraphics]

Thanks Philip! I'll know tomorrow what we'll do for sure but, as things stand, we'll go for a cheaper skin and just use the bottom few inches as we don't want to hold things up unless absolutely necessary.

[Flying stag]

I know this is an old thread to revive, but the bottoms of both doors have started to bubble through with rust. When I say bubble, the rust is just raising the paint at the moment, it hasn't even broken through.

I have had a quote to repair and respray by changing the door skins. To supply and fit two door skins, etc is £3200 inc VAT. This seems a bit steep to me.

It isn't a job I can do myself. I wouldn't even know where to start, but I also want to maintain the car as rust free as possible. Does anyone have any good bodyshop recommendations who won't charge the earth?

Thanks

Ian

[Guest]

£3,200 for door skins and paint!! That's very steep. I'd get some more quotes if I were you

[jbuckl]

My last doorskin (only passenger side) replacement ended up being a complete body restoration and repaint.

I would have got off lightly if it had only been £3200

And that was in 2002.

I'd already put the door bottom repair panel in & fitted the skin & the door was back on.

It can just snowball when you get into the 'small blisters' that you imagined just needed a small repair & paint but actually needed another panel remove & replace to do properly.

[Lawrence Croft]

Try James Surman at VBH in Reddich. He is a perfectionist, therefore a bit slow, but b. Good!

[Stagsongas]

I know this is an old thread to revive, but the bottoms of both doors have started to bubble through with rust. When I say bubble, the rust is just raising the paint at the moment, it hasn't even broken through.

I have had a quote to repair and respray by changing the door skins. To supply and fit two door skins, etc is £3200 inc VAT. This seems a bit steep to me.

It isn't a job I can do myself. I wouldn't even know where to start, but I also want to maintain the car as rust free as possible. Does anyone have any good bodyshop recommendations who won't charge the earth?

Thanks

Ian

£3200 seems a LOT steep to me!

[Flying stag]

Thanks for all your replies guys. I'm taking it to someone in Bedford to have a look. I will also contact James in Reddich.

They also quoted £1200 to remove the rust from the front end of the hard top and paint that, which I also thought steep. Hey ho, who said owning a stag was cheap?