Recently installed a salvaged security door for my neighbor. Its in decent shape except the door itself bows in the middle, which makes it difficult to engage the latch and deadbolt. I pulled a string from the top corner of the door to the bottom and the center bellies out about 1/2″, enough to make it difficult to operate. Anyone have good tips for bending this back where I need it without doing more damage? I am guessing it is light gauge painted aluminum.
Replies
Well, you can always try forcing it -- put a block of wood at the top and bottom and then force the door closed against the blocks. You do risk buckling the door, of course.
You could also take the door down and do much the same with the door on a stiff workbench or a floor -- either with a block in the middle or at both ends, depending on which side of the door faces up. With a little cleverness you can devise a jig where you can apply the pressure gradually, with clamps, reducing somewhat the danger of buckling. (But to also reduce the chance of buckling be sure the pressure is applied to the door over several inches rather than all at one point.)
It's not rocket science -- you basically have to over-bend the door slightly in the opposite direction to get it straight. It is complicated a bit by the aluminum, which tends to work-harden more than steel, increasing the tendency to buckle, and making it more likely that you'll end up with a sight W shape once you have it "straight".
Maybe you could tinker with the latch mechanism, a little thoughtful file work or some such.