Just looked at an '81 D...advise on stainless panel (s), please?

[84Impulse]

Flew out west to look at an '81 D, in vg condition, 21k miles, 2 owner.
Driver's door has vertical, 10" shallow indentation directly below the rearview mirror. There is no visible kink in panel, but my question is can it be bumped back out?

Also, areas of body have superficial grain irregularities, like an occasional semi-whorl, and other areas that do not have perfect grain lines (not original ones). Can the panels be regrained gently to make symmetrical? Im really green at this, but like the car, but these are two concerns about buying it. Thanks if any of you guys can help guide me. Would appreciate much!!,

Kurt

[Riley88]

You can either re-grain by hand carefully which isn't too bad, or if you search the forum using the search function there are quite a few threads on buying the correct regaining tools. I will leave the issue of the indent on the door to a more knowledgeable forum member as i have no experience with that type of issue bud.

[Jonathan]

The answer is YES.

The answer to who can do that for you is Chris Nicholson. Either you get your car to him (in the UK) or you get lucky and he comes to your car (or a shop that's coordinated him working on several cars all under one trip to North America).

Technically anyone with opposable thumbs can repair stainless (which is to say everyone can). The trick is how many panels would you be willing to learn on and potentially make worse trying to get to expert level? Chris is the best in the world at these repairs from years of experience and his work speaks for itself. I would reach out to whoever your local club or group of other owners are and see if anyone else has been trying to coordinate one of these work trips here for Chris. We did one in Southern Ontario a few years ago and I think we had 22 cars get work done over 3+ weeks. I almost didn't recognize my car because the difference in the stainless was so pronounced.

[Helirich]

Would have been nice if you had pics of the indentation. The regrain thing is not an issue.

Did the seller tell you about the indentation prior to your coming? That would bother me.

[Ron]

Driver's door has vertical, 10" shallow indentation directly below the rearview mirror. There is no visible kink in panel, but my question is can it be bumped back out?
Before:
66674 66675

After:
66676 66677

[Helirich]

Before:
66674 66675

After:
66676 66677

Very impressive! Is that your car Ron? Was that done with body hammers?

[Ron]

Very impressive! Is that your car Ron? Was that done with body hammers?It was mine at the time. That's Ben's (Soundkiller) work. I dropped it off, so all I can tell you about the process is that he had to stretch it to work his magic.

[84Impulse]

You can either re-grain by hand carefully which isn't too bad, or if you search the forum using the search function there are quite a few threads on buying the correct regaining tools. I will leave the issue of the indent on the door to a more knowledgeable forum member as i have no experience with that type of issue bud.

Thank you Riley!! Will dig in :)

[84Impulse]

The answer is YES.

The answer to who can do that for you is Chris Nicholson. Either you get your car to him (in the UK) or you get lucky and he comes to your car (or a shop that's coordinated him working on several cars all under one trip to North America).

Technically anyone with opposable thumbs can repair stainless (which is to say everyone can). The trick is how many panels would you be willing to learn on and potentially make worse trying to get to expert level? Chris is the best in the world at these repairs from years of experience and his work speaks for itself. I would reach out to whoever your local club or group of other owners are and see if anyone else has been trying to coordinate one of these work trips here for Chris. We did one in Southern Ontario a few years ago and I think we had 22 cars get work done over 3+ weeks. I almost didn't recognize my car because the difference in the stainless was so pronounced.

Thats incredible, thank you v much, Jonathan. Will look him up. I could buy a damaged panel on ebay and practice if i cant get it to him. Thxx again..

[84Impulse]

It was mine at the time. That's Ben's (Soundkiller) work. I dropped it off, so all I can tell you about the process is that he had to stretch it to work his magic.

Unbelievable, Ron, that was serious damage!! Thank you for posting all of this :shock:

[cdrusn]

If you want to look around there are several used doors for sale. Passenger door (I know yours is a driver door but for example) on ebay for $619 (plus freight from St. Louis) claimed to be dent free just scratched. Try Hemmings website. Would probably be cheaper and less of a hassle. Can also sell yours for half of what you pay for one. :race:

[84Impulse]

If you want to look around there are several used doors for sale. Passenger door (I know yours is a driver door but for example) on ebay for $619 (plus freight from St. Louis) claimed to be dent free just scratched. Try Hemmings website. Would probably be cheaper and less of a hassle. Can also sell yours for half of what you pay for one. :race:

Wow, thats a fantastic idea, CR!! Thanks
Was considering shipping it to DMC humble, tx but would be $$$!
Will check ebay n Hemmings

[TTait]

Wow, that repair is fantastic.

I have damage in the same panel but much more subtle waiting to get repaired at DMCCA right now - they are just going to replace the panel. I think I have the right to ask for the old panel back. Does anyone want a lightly damaged drivers side rear quarter in the los angeles area?