Jim, thanks for the pic!!

Sorry about my late return, I am glad someone filled in.

Will

Richard, you need to have that door skin either brazed or welded.

Unfortunately both of these require heat, which will burn the paint, and therefore require some level of bodywork. Depending on the skill of the welder and the extent of the damage is what will really determine how difficult/extensive the repair becomes. But it is the only real way to fix it.

I wouldn't recommend JBWeld or other Epoxy / Adhesive / Glue as the problem stems from the shock/stress/vibration of closing the door. Any of those adhesive/epoxies will just eventually crack and fall off.

This problem is quite common and most of the time, I've noticed people aren't aware of it, until something such as this happens.

Door skins are typically crimped all around the edge of the door frame....EXCEPT at the leading edge in front of the window slot, and at the back edge just behind the window slot. It's welded /brazed at both of these spots.

The paint "shrinking" or cracking is more than likely evidence of the stress cracks the metal is experiencing, and/ or poor preparation from the prior paint. But I would seriously doubt that this is the reason for that metal cracking. If anything it's an incidental "also" ocurrence and not related.

FWIW

E

Escalon, I believe you have a good understanding of the problem and your analysis is spot on. The top leading edge front and back is splitting, but the door was from a rust free arizona car and the same orange color.

I know that the door has been stripped to bare metal and if the work has to be redone, my insurance company will be cooperative.

I will never accept JB Weld as a repair and it will be very clear. This restoration shop has a reputation to substain.