Reinforce storage compartment latch catch

[pikespeakviewer]

Morning,

I've straightened the metal catch area, but want to reinforce it as it's easily bent. Any suggestions on how to do that?

I'm also going to scrape off the original weather strip and replace this week with marine weather strip.

[JRTJH]

I think you're asking about how to keep the door flange from bending where the locks "twist behind it to keep the doors closed" ???

If so, you can buy a 3' strip of 1/2" or 3/4" aluminum stock at any hardware store. Clean the area behind the existing flange, clamp the aluminum stock behind that flange, drill four or five 1/8" holes and put "pop rivets" in the holes to hold the "new reinforced flange" in place.

You may need to adjust (bend) your lock rotating arms slightly to slide behind the new thickness.