Reproduction Part Warning!

[Tom L.]

I purchased new exterior door glass weather stripping along with the outer door seal and molding screw kit. The screw kit was Paragon part # 11219K. I installed the parts with the screw kit and then noticed that the forward most screw was nearly coming out of the finished side of the door panel. The screw is clearly too long and caused a lump on the freshly painted door. A picture is shown below.

I'm not posting this to criticize Paragon. In fact, an issue like this with their parts is an anomaly in my experience. I just wanted share this so it doesn't happen to someone else.

[Donald O.]

Re: Reproduction Part Warning!

Have you contacted Paragon, if yes, what was their response?

Don

[Tom L.]

Re: Reproduction Part Warning!

I sent them an email and a photo last night. I'm still waiting to hear back.

[John F.]

Re: Reproduction Part Warning!

What most of us don't do is mark small items when we take them out and replace with same. We/me also tend to give them one more partial turn and over tighten. Not laying blame but we all do it. I'm first to admit it!
John F

[Donald O.]

Re: Reproduction Part Warning!

What most of us don't do is mark small items when we take them out and replace with same. We/me also tend to give them one more partial turn and over tighten. Not laying blame but we all do it. I'm first to admit it!
John F

I guess I'm not most. Every part I take off is bagged and tagged. With my memory (or lack therof) I have no other options
I also always use my torque wrenches. Mine range from inch-ounce to pound-feet, in both beam and click types. And yes, I keep them calibrated on a yearly basis.

Don

[Tom L.]

Re: Reproduction Part Warning!

I put the screw in, so it's my fault...no argument there.

I made the assumtion that the screws would have been appropriate. It ends up that the screw was a hair longer than what I pulled out, but I don't think that's the issue.

Paragon called me today and told me that they tested the screw kit on two doors that had in thier shop and that they couldn't reproduce the problem. Moreover, they told me they have sold thousands of these kits and I'm the first person to have this problem. I suppose I have a glob of glue or some other anomoly in the construction of the door that modestly reduced my clearance in that area.

Oh well, I wonder how many points I'll lose for a pimple on the door?

[Edward J.]

Re: Reproduction Part Warning!

Tom, maybe alittle heat from a blow dryer from the inside of door and use you thumb to try a push in alittle, maybe ask your body guy or maybe someone on the TDB will have tryed something like this before.

[Bill C.]

Re: Reproduction Part Warning!

Tom,

Did the screw come all the way through, or just push up a dimple?

If it dimpled the paint, you may be able to sightly heat the area and pressure it back down. If you used B/C and specially if the paint is fairly new, it may stil be plaible enough to do this.

I did something like, not on my current Vette, and the clear actually flattened down a good bit. I used a hair drier and very carefully and slowly heated the area up. I did tape up all around it etc..

You may also want to fix the spot and reclear the door. Might be the easiest and best way to proceed.

If I were the exterior judge and that was the only small issue, I would think maybe a 5 point deduct. That be fair/reasonable. Hell - even with the small blemish, you car is going to be 1000% nicer than it came from the factory! Damn cars had finger prints, runs, drips and junk in the paint anyways... LOL

[Tom L.]

Re: Reproduction Part Warning!

It's just a dimple. Luckily, the paint is still pretty soft, so it didn't crack as the dimple formed. I'll try a little heat and see what happens. Thanks.

[Kevin G.]

Re: Reproduction Part Warning!

It's just a dimple. Luckily, the paint is still pretty soft, so it didn't crack as the dimple formed. I'll try a little heat and see what happens. Thanks.

Tom,

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Other then the hand full of judges (if they remember) reading your post no one will notice it! I would argue any deduction, that fact is the dimple helps to make the paint appear closer to a factory applied paint job. Next time you have a chance to get close to an original paint car look at all the lumps, bumps, dimples, sanding marks etc. under the paint. Hopefully it will shrink down a bit! Looks like your doing a nice job by the way! Might be best to leave it alone?