How To Gap And Blend Door Gaps On A 1963-1967 Corvette. Perfecting A Forgotten Corvette

[@phoenixblack1220]

Honestly, Mitch, when the day comes, I’m looking to you for my Vette. Great work!

[@bradbush3505]

Impressive work!!!

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks I appreciate it man!

[@ulyssesvazquez387]

It looks like this will be a very nice build. cannot wait to see you start on the C1.

[@MidYearMitch]

It’s going to be a beautiful car!

[@jasmith1867]

That one caption 'so satisfying'. That's the reaction I get watching these videos. Especially the fast motion. I think during my day about these videos and pretend that I could do it too someday. We'll see I guess.

[@johnfederkeil9211]

Nice!

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks!

[@jsh3234]

Hey Mitch, you're a real inspiration. Keep it up. I'm guessing the Model A coupe is going to fill that spot.

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks for the kind words! Close but not quite 👍

[@WheelchairGear]

I always look forward saturday mornings. coffee and ur video-thanks for posting. (I sold u a power-brake metal firewall flange).

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks for watching! Oh nice I didn’t put that together! That part was great thank you. It’s still on my red 63.

[@williamsullivan9323]

You make it look easy ill bet there is countless hours of work not to mention video work behind your builds.

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks I try my best. Yes there definitely is a lot that I don’t show. Recording videos really slows down the process. I have to set up camera angles and make sure the batteries are always full. You wouldn’t think that it would make a difference but it really does. The editing doesn’t take long now. But I enjoy documenting the process and making videos. It keeps it fun.

[@jimrains8314]

Your parents and the Corvette world must be soooo proud of your work you do. Mine looked like that for so many years and now just a few more parts and it will be finished. I got to tell you I miss the " Under Construction" look. I respect people's privacy. But wouldn't it be nice to have a reunion with your accomplishments. I was chatting with another of your subscribers, I've lost count how many C2s have you saved? Camaro is looking good. Take care stay safe. It was a very informative video.

[@chrispopiel1162]

Merry Christmas Mitch, I hope Santa brings you a nice Corvette!

[@MidYearMitch]

Merry Christmas to you as well! Haha thanks that would be nice! I’m getting an early present tomorrow!

[@aluckyboy]

Nice job Mitch. Impressive.

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks I appreciate it!

[@leongrice6664]

Very inspiring work.

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks man!

[@MrTexasDan]

Hey there Mitch, It seems like the little adjustments to make it better than factory take a lot of the time. I applaud your patience! This one is looking great so far. Take care, Dan

[@davidsolloway9349]

Like # 26 !

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks for the support!

[@danorourke5184]

Incredible work! I’m thinking the next project is your family’s friend c3? Thanks

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks I appreciate it! Hmmm that’s a great guess! You have a good memory 👍

[@patrickcoyne310]

Hey Mitch great video, I was wondering if there was a process you use when taking the doors off in order to get them back on exactly where they were? Some folks drill a small hole in the hinges, or scribe them… I’m doing this by myself, so watching you gives me ambition just looking for a better way! Thank for your videos!

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks for watching and good question. At this stage of a build I don’t make any type of mark. The reason for that is these doors are empty shells without glass, regulators, or door panels. When the doors are loaded they will have to be lifted up a little bit more. If you are in final bodywork and you have done your mock-up then you could drill your holes. When I line up doors I normally put a couple wooden wedges between the door and the rocker and tap them in with a dead blow hammer. I’ll tighten the bolts and see where I’m at and continue to make small adjustments. The wooden blocks hold the door where it needs to be and it allows you to make small adjustments.

[@konrad1853]

You mention using the paint stick to judge door-to-body gap. But in the video you appear to just grind away material on the body and then show the proper gap to the door. Are you constantly using the paint stick to judge the gap (if so, how do you do this without the door on the car) or do you just grind off the amount you feel is right and then mount the door? I've always been curious how that gap can be made to look good.

[@MidYearMitch]

Good question! I shot a clip where I talked more about it but I forgot to include it in my edit. I was running behind in the shop so I was running late with the exit. Anyways. When I glued the front end I made my front door gap almost non existent. I had enough room to open the door and that’s it. I trimmed the bare minimum. Then I glued the nose on with the door gaps tight so I had room to open the gap up. I then measured my paint stick with calipers and I drug the calipers across the edge of the door to scribe a line on the fender. I then used a cut off wheel to grind slowly up to that line. I kept checking my gap with that stick. I did that the entire door gap that way. I didn’t take the door off when I was setting my door gap. But if your door gap is too loose then you probably will have to remove the door and fill it. Then put the door on and to do what I did. After I set the door gap from the outside of the fender then I worked to blend the door jam in. I really hate taking the door off and on over and over again so I try to minimize it.

[@konrad1853]

@@MidYearMitch I see. It sounds like you used the front edge of the door to dictate the scribe line that you transferred to the fender. That makes sense. Thanks.

[@my31and37]

Hi Mitch, what product do you use for fiberglass filler? I'm about to do a buildup on my '56 fender, and I also have to close up the door gaps a bit..Thanks, I enjoy watching your progress!