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Dear LL:
To get a nice even finish around inspection plates and access doors, here's
my routine. First, make sure the door is final mounted, flush to the adjacent
area and secure, no wiggle, the flanges behind the door are done and trimmed
to final opening. Most flanges end up about 3/8"-1/2" wide under the door.
Recheck that the door is in final shape, rounded corners and edges
straightedge straight, etc. No filler goes on the door edge: won't hold. All
the fill is TO the door edge, used as the fill tool guide.

Put one layer of duct tape under the edge of the door, no overlaps, say 1/2"
wide, razor trim it to the edge. Close the door. Scuff and clean the area
between the door edge out to the finished skin, paint on a bit of epoxy,
remove any excess. Put on some not too dry micro (with a bit of flox in it)
all around the door, avoiding hinges and latches. Pat it down with your
gloved finger. Take a tongue depressor, stir stick, split lengthwise to a
narrow 1/8" tool and run it in the groove to be created, keeping it pressed
against the door itself. You will get a uniform groove all around the door if
your micro is not too dry. Use the same tool to remove the excess off THE
DOOR side only. Let it all cure.

The next day, pop the door open, remove the duct tape, remove any chunks on
the flange, inside the groove, under the door, reclose the door and sand it
all even, then finish the sharp edge of the groove itself lightly with fine
sandpaper. You should have an even gap, the width of the stir stick, flush
with the surface, as you sanded it so. Easily touched up if screwed up,
enough room for paint buildup. Have fun...
Robert Forest
N295P
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