Got schooled on panel gaps by a guy at a car show in Daytona

I was at the big show in Daytona last year, just looking at a really clean '67 Mustang. I made a comment about the fender gap being a bit off, and the owner, this older guy, came over and showed me his whole process. He uses a set of feeler gauges and a digital angle finder for every single panel, even on a full frame-off. He said he spends at least 3 hours just on gap alignment before he even thinks about paint. I've always just gone by eye, but seeing his results up close... it was a different level. How many of you actually use tools for panel gaps, or is eyeballing it still the standard in most shops?

4 comments

4 Comments

pat_harris1mo ago

Honestly, that story about the guy with the feeler gauges hits home. I tried the "by eye" method on my own project once and ended up with a door that looked like it was waving at you. Tbh, I figured close was good enough for a driver, but it bugged me every single time I looked at it. Now I at least use a cheap set of gaps from the parts store, because my eyeballs are clearly liars. Seeing that level of care with the digital tools though, that's next level dedication.

ray_burns1mo ago

My buddy Dave spent a whole weekend getting his hood gaps perfect, then his kid leaned on the fender and put a huge dent in it.

ross.kim10d agoMost Upvoted

Oh man, that Dave story hits way too close to home. @pat_harris mentioned the "by eye" method and honestly that's how I messed up my own fender once. I spent like three hours getting the bumper gap perfect on my old Civic, then my dog jumped up and scratched the paint right along the seam. I mean, it's like the universe just waits for you to get something exactly right before ruining it. But I guess that's just part of the hobby, right?

brooke7471mo ago

Ngl, sometimes a wavy door just adds character.