I need to take the doors off my mk1 coupe , Im finding it to be a challenge. The pins are hollow so belting them out with a punch isnt going to work. and the curves of the door make it difficult to get anything straight to knock them out with . I have never removed doors before is there some thing fundamental Im missing here ? (aside from experience and common sence!) Im considering cutting the entire hinge out as the a pillars are full of rust that needs to be fixed anyway. Any thoughts would be much appreciated .

Soak, soak soak and then soak them again in WD40 / anti seize ... If you have time, do this over a couple of days.
 
Invest in a door pin removal tool.
 
They will only then come out if you use the right combination of swear words and brute force.
 
Once you get them started they 'usually' then seem to come out with minimal (less) effort.
 
Good Luck.
 
Shaun.
 

a bit of heat will help with stubborn ones too   but will burn your paintwork
remove top one downhill and bottom one uphill or they will jam on panel work