In the process of sanding the car down to metal. On the driver side, the key hole is very distorted and extremely thin. The whole area around the hole is depressed with several deep indentations. I removed quite a bit of filler. I knew there was some filler there because it had cracked and was showing rust from the outside. Also the lock cylinder was loose. If I was to attempt to reshape to area again with filler, would it be worthwhile? Or should I find another door? This is my first time doing any sort of bodywork or paint

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https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/pict...ictureid=29667

 

Repairing the area with filler is not the way to fix it. You've seen the results of doing that. If the metal is real thin, then the proper way would be to cut it out and weld in a patch. A new door skin or new door. I prefer to do a patch. A new door would be easier/faster (if you could find one in good shape). Even though all doors are the same, I've found they never fit as well as the one original to the car.

 

I figured the filler wouldn't work. A patch is beyond my capabilities. So I will get another door. It's a shame.

 

take it to a body shop, theyll charge maybe $100 tops to patch it. it wont take them but maybe an hour since you already have the paint stripped out of the way.

 

How can you say with any certainty that the charge will be $100 "TOPS"?

 

because anyplace trying to charge more than $100 to weld in a simple small patch is just price gouging. most shops charge $60-$80 an hour and it shouldnt take any decent metal worker more than an hour to weld in a patch. even less if you go to the junk yard and cut the piece of door skin to replace your damaged one yourself.

 

I don't think any bodyshop would supply the piece and fix that for 100 bucks