Aluminum garage door panels

Sheet Metal Fabrication techniques, questions and help. "Tricks of the Trade"

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Geochurchi
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2021 7:49 am
Location: Concord ,NH / Naples, Fl

Aluminum garage door panels

Post by Geochurchi »

Hi All, garage door went up while latch was in place ,OUCH!, anyway there are some buckles that I would like to straighten out, looking for suggestions, one I have was to cover the area with aluminum foil , warm the area with a heat gun, then hit the area with an inverted can of compressed air to cool it.
If it ain’t broken keep working on it until it is .
Geo 🇺🇸
curtis cutter
Posts: 559
Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 11:46 pm
Location: Curtis, WA

Re: Aluminum garage door panels

Post by curtis cutter »

I would believe in this case a picture would be worth a thousand words.
Gregg
Just let go of it, it will eventually unplug itself.
Geochurchi
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2021 7:49 am
Location: Concord ,NH / Naples, Fl

Re: Aluminum garage door panels

Post by Geochurchi »

BA64FB24-32F2-4CD0-B886-A1C5F324CEE4.jpeg
This is the best I have, I have straightened some out.
If it ain’t broken keep working on it until it is .
Geo 🇺🇸
Russ Hanscom
Posts: 1955
Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:10 pm
Location: Farmington, NM

Re: Aluminum garage door panels

Post by Russ Hanscom »

Try backing up with a heavy piece of wood, and tapping gently with a rubber hammer.
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Harold_V
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Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2002 11:02 pm
Location: Onalaska, WA USA

Re: Aluminum garage door panels

Post by Harold_V »

Insulated door?

H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
Geochurchi
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2021 7:49 am
Location: Concord ,NH / Naples, Fl

Re: Aluminum garage door panels

Post by Geochurchi »

Yes, insulated.
If it ain’t broken keep working on it until it is .
Geo 🇺🇸
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Harold_V
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Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2002 11:02 pm
Location: Onalaska, WA USA

Re: Aluminum garage door panels

Post by Harold_V »

Most likely won't be able to do much with the wrinkles. I see new panels in your future.

H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
Geochurchi
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2021 7:49 am
Location: Concord ,NH / Naples, Fl

Re: Aluminum garage door panels

Post by Geochurchi »

Oh, by the way, the panels are steel, magnets don’t stick to Al.
If it ain’t broken keep working on it until it is .
Geo 🇺🇸
Russ Hanscom
Posts: 1955
Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:10 pm
Location: Farmington, NM

Re: Aluminum garage door panels

Post by Russ Hanscom »

On some doors, the insulation is in panels, which can be removed, and on others, it is between two metal panels like a sandwich. Your choices probably are to replace a few panels, or if the door still works ok, live with the wrinkles until there is another reason to replace the door.
Bob D.
Posts: 381
Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:43 pm
Location: Saco, ME. USA

Re: Aluminum garage door panels

Post by Bob D. »

There is a good reason the door locks are generally disabled when a door opener is installed….. The opener keeps it locked. It'll be more spectacular next time you do it as the panels are already compromised.
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Geochurchi
Posts: 153
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2021 7:49 am
Location: Concord ,NH / Naples, Fl

Re: Aluminum garage door panels

Post by Geochurchi »

1.jpg
The latch has been removed and I think I will just be replacing the top panel, I managed to straighten out the other dents fairly well, once the top panel is replaced it will be good enough.
Last edited by rmac on Sat Apr 30, 2022 3:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Photo Orientation
If it ain’t broken keep working on it until it is .
Geo 🇺🇸
curtis cutter
Posts: 559
Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 11:46 pm
Location: Curtis, WA

Re: Aluminum garage door panels

Post by curtis cutter »

Does your garage opener have a clutch in it? I would think it should take very little force to lift a properly adjusted door.
Gregg
Just let go of it, it will eventually unplug itself.
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