Classic Alfa Forums

as everyone that knows me will testify, i'm a tight ar*e so don't like spending cash when i can make something.....ok, it often costs me as much to make as to buy but that's not the point

i needed to be able to paint a car door without it being perched on a workbench/pile of tyres or strung from the roof. being able to tilt it in safety was also a must.
now, you can buy such items for £70 for basic ones off ebay or around £100+ for proper ones from bodyshop supplies

started off by buying some box section in 2 sizes so one would slide over the other.


first job was to make up the arms that hold onto the inside face of the door.
this allows the whole outer extremities of the door to be painted, hinges, bottom plate, surround of the door card etc as well as the door skin of course. painting all in one hit saves time and makes a neater job of it. the arms are adjustable along the mounting bars length as well as up/down to line up with any suitable opening.

once all made up a simple frame was extended down so that the door was high enough off the ground but the top of the frame is still in reach.

once the frame is opened out and the locking brace in place to prevent accidentally knocking it shut again it stands firm and steady

the door is then lifted onto the top arms and the bottom arms extended down to grab the bottom point to clamp the door firmly to the frame

the door can then be rotated and locked in place anywhere between almost vertical and flat out horizontal.

it is also on wheels down one side so once painted the door car be wheeled out into the sunshine or to a corner out of the way without having to touch any part of the door at all.

on the right hand side red leg you'll notice the silver part is longer, this is an extender which drops into the central bar to allow easy control of the attitude of the door, as can be seen in the pic with the door more upright. turns out a bit of new box, some bits laying around and a welder can knock up something useful. just need 3 more of them now!

Question - is that your lucky horseshoe come unwelded or is it there to make the photo more artistic?

All I can think is market it and your on to a winning fortune!

Great build mate, very good.

Is that red handle in the middle what i think it is?

petrolhead wrote:Great build mate, very good.

Is that red handle in the middle what i think it is?

certainly is mate, handle off that trolley you donated some time back you know i never throw anything away, a use is usually found, just sometimes takes a few years

actually bought a "proper" bodyshop one today as it was offered to me cheap, but i prefer mine

And so you should! lol!

Can't believe I missed this that's great Kev . Think I mite have to do something like that in the future . Great work chap

they worked out great for painting mate, allowed the inside face, door shuts, bottom edge and outer skin to be painted all in one hit. and you could just leave it to the stand whilst the paint went off, no risk of damage.

Cool great idea . I like that a lot