Custom Fuel Door Design
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: F.H,Waterford,Port Huron, MI
Re: Custom Fuel Door Design TAWS6 the hole same is the same. All car are a little different. GM cuts the hole first then bends the fender. I found that the hinged side of the door and the opening side. But then because the door is a round you have to "feather it in" not just cut a cunk off. I would love to hear from someone that installed these with out these problems. OH and you masking tape on the fender and a marker, to see where to cut and protect it. you with need bolts any that you like you have to tap anyway, but it is better to use one with bigger head hide the bolt hole more. For painting sand all the finish and the nickle on edge and front, "at this point you could polish and be done". Anyways finish with 400grit USE METAL ETICH PRIMER acid in it. If your paint is the color of the car use clear coat, if it is a metal color or metallic lighten paint color and cear coat. I used 6 taps to hold the door.
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From: San Antonio Texas
Re: Custom Fuel Door Design thank you for all the information.
My fuel door came with the big black plastic piece (that fits right under the gas ****) Would I need to use that? or just the aluminum pieces themselves?
Could you also try to describe what you needed to cut exactly? The body shop person took a look and got a bit confused. He doesnt really know if it would mount flush or not. What should I tell him to do exactly?
Is there a way I can tell if the fuel door would mount flush without cutting anything? Whats the best way to do this. I need to know how to start and what to keep an eye on.
Sorry for all the questions.
<small>[ October 18, 2002, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: 2002_TAWS6 ]</small>
My fuel door came with the big black plastic piece (that fits right under the gas ****) Would I need to use that? or just the aluminum pieces themselves?
Could you also try to describe what you needed to cut exactly? The body shop person took a look and got a bit confused. He doesnt really know if it would mount flush or not. What should I tell him to do exactly?
Is there a way I can tell if the fuel door would mount flush without cutting anything? Whats the best way to do this. I need to know how to start and what to keep an eye on.
Sorry for all the questions.
<small>[ October 18, 2002, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: 2002_TAWS6 ]</small>
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: F.H,Waterford,Port Huron, MI
Re: Custom Fuel Door Design Start with removing the stock black fuel trim unscrew. Then you will see the fender lip (held the stock black trim),it is about 1/2". Cut or drill out the 2 rivets that hold the stock fuel door. With the eclipse door and the black piece off test fit. you will see the 1/2" lip on the fender needs allot of triming but to make it fush it needs to all be cut. The KEY is NOT to cut past the "little curve". you only need 1/8 of fender past the fender face meaning when the fender hole dips in. Test fit the door now you will see that the new door "rocks side to side". This is the circle into a oval thing. At this point I just pushed the door and it scrached the paint. At 3 and 9 o'clock need heavy sanding. Go slow this is the part that takes long OH when you do this the croming will start to fly. I used a heavy grit Table sander. And the stock fuel tube will need to be un bolted and lined up with Eclipse black tube holder. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
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From: San Antonio Texas
Re: Custom Fuel Door Design Thanks a lot. I do really appreciate all your help. Ill print this out and take it to the body shop guy and let him work on it from there on. It should make perfect sense.
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From: F.H,Waterford,Port Huron, MI
Re: Custom Fuel Door Design I have a 2001 ss I bought it new no damage. It is possible that someone installed one with less problems. It real matters how you want the door to fit 1:flush with panel like stock 2:door out about 1/18 from panel. I was talking to my body man and he said "after it was installed only a good body man could tell it"s off" mean even when it was perfect the bend in the door is still bent less than 1 degree more than the panel. No one will ever know when it's on it is only literaly a hair off. Keep in mind I am the biggest perfectionist.
