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Auto body repair & detailing/Nissan Frontier Drivers side door replacement.

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Expert: William Forster - 9/22/2009


Question

Nissan frontier Door D
I hear replacing a damaged door with a "shell" as opposed to  a new door is the standard procedure. I can see the cost savings but what about quality of the weld seams after the new shell is installed on the old door frame. Aren't factory sealants compromised as well as metal fatigue? Using this procedure sounds like an invitation for rust a few years down the road. Should a guy swallow the cost and demand a complete new door, or is that even possible? Used doors are hard to find too. What do you think?
Thanks


Answer
Hello! Door skins are a lesser of two evils- easier and better than a door full of bondo, but you are 100% correct, even with door skin adhesive and undercoat, the door in never as good as it was before the accident. After 25 years, I've still never put on a skin and I thought it was even half as good as the original door. Your dent doesn't look that severe- maybe it looks worse in person- but I never skin a door unless at least 35% of it's face is compromised, or it has a hole torn in it. I would rather see this dent repaired, and live with a little filler, than totally compromise the door and skin it. You can try to buck for a new door- but it's an uphill battle since the shell or door intrusion beam isn't bent.

William Forster

Expertise

22 year veteran, 2 years of vocational training. A.S.E. certified Master collision repair/refinish technician. I-CAR certified. 17 yrs. GM experience. I can answer most questions related to automotive body repairs, ranging from small scratch repairs all the way up to the most extensive collision repairs. I can expertly advise people on what to expect from their body shop experience, right down to what self repairs should, and should not, be done. Lastly, I can advise tricks and tips for classic car restoration, such as lead repairs. SORRY, I DO NOT DO ONLINE ESTIMATES OR GIVE PARTS PRICES!! BE PREPARED FOR THE CORRECT ANSWER- NOT THE ONE YOU WANT TO HEAR. I won't B.S. you, or sugar coat answers. Just plain, hard facts.

Experience


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Just about every major insurance company in NW Ohio

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