Installing doors

[BadBird]

Are there any best practice methods for hanging doors without scratching the paint on the doors and door frames where the hinges go? I haven't started yet but I had a terrible time when verifying fit and fair of the doors when finalizing body work. There were a bunch of adjustments made, that I think would destroy the paint? Any protective processes? Hood and trunk won't be as difficult but if there are easy methods it would be nice to know.
Nothing is easy in life so maybe this is one of those non-easy tasks? Tips would be appreciated. Thanks........Larry

[pbrown]

Start off by building a door support for your floor jack. A 2x4 with a groove cut end to end with a dado blade will work. Fasten it to your floor jack. Use cotton towels to protect the paint.

Remove the latch assembly from the door.

Use a lot of bath towels and blue or green painters tape to protect the paint.

Eastwood has a tool that helps.
http://www.eastwood.com/door-alignme...and-truck.html

[BadBird]

Fantastic. As Maxwell Smart would say "the old slot in the board on the jack trick". Watched too much TV when I was younger I guess. I will cut one tonight and start right away. It really does help to have access to all you folks knowledge. For those of us who haven't done this stuff before it is invaluable. Thanks very much.

[Jeff W]

Another option is Harbor Freight Tools sells a tool that holds as well as lift the door. I haven't used on but have seen feedback on other sites that it's well worth the $60.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40386

Vehicle Door Remover/Installer

[BadBird]

Well, I have the doors, trunk, hood and fenders mostly installed but I am not happy with the fit and fair of any of them. I would think that they can be better but after two days............Not sure if I should go ahead and paint the exterior with them in the current postition and do more adjustments later, or should I get everything perfect now. I am trying to get the exterior paint done this week while the temperatures are still at an acceptable level. If someone who has experience at getting these gaps and alignments I would very much appreciate a visit (soon) to check on what you think. Larry

[pbrown]

You probably already know this. But just in case... hang and align panels starting at the rear and working forward. Get the doors aligned before moving on to the fenders. Get the gaps even across the bottom and rear. Only then should you touch fenders.

Are you painting a metallic color? If so, paint the door jambs off the car. Then hand the doors, fenders, hood and trunk. Paint the car with panels in place.

It took two of us several hours to get my doors aligned to where they were perfect.