Seal Trim Holes: Repair & Fix Guide

Hello, diesel mechanics.

I have holes in the doors of my Golf 2 where the decorative trim pieces were removed. I want to fill the holes so I can paint over them. Can I use fiberglass filler for this, or would it be better to weld them shut?
What would you recommend to me?
Best regards,
Olli.

"Weld a metal sheet to the back, line the inside, and then apply a fine layer of filler. Otherwise, it won't last in the long run, as the door is exposed to extreme vibrations every time it's closed."

Okay, so we'll disassemble the door, weld a metal plate from the inside, then solder and apply filler to the holes from the outside.

My experience suggests a general rule: anything thicker than 2mm of filler will not last.

Ibiza1986 wrote:

Weld a metal sheet behind it, line it from the inside, and then apply fine filler... otherwise, it won't last.

Welding is essential; it's a must. Soldering is a different matter. The door is a large, flat sheet of metal. What do you think will happen if you hold a torch to it to solder? Right, everything will warp.

Therefore, I prefer aluminum filler. Even my painter says it's the modern way of applying a protective coating. It's also a metal, so it's quite compatible with the material of the door, and it's applied without heat. Another advantage: aluminum filler can be sanded and painted directly. With tin, you'll always need to apply a final layer of fine filler afterwards.

My tip: Weld carefully, meaning slowly, and allow enough time for the metal to cool so that it distorts as little as possible. Then, you'll only need to apply a thin layer of filler. Use aluminum filler.

Another option, if it's a 3-door model: Get the doors from a Rallye Golf; they didn't have any trim pieces, even though they had one-piece windows. Then have fun searching! *laugh*

Hello.

Thank you for your responses. "Aluspachtel" sounds good.
I'm going to buy a can of that and try it out.
Best regards,
Olli.