Got fed up trying to straighten the firebox door.
I cut it off and put a piece of 1/8" plate in its place. It lays flush as is, but I'll add a bead or silicone sealant to make it air tight.
The stove tape came off immediately. The cement stuck really well to the steel, but it only took a light pull the take the rope off. Back to the drawing board on that one. Maybe I'll use silicone sealant as glue.