39 or 40 Ford belt trim HELP

Is there a tool available for installing the belt trim on 39 or 40 Fords? I don't want to scratch the paint trying to squeeze the wire trim clips while trying to shove them thru the body holes.

I'd appreciate any tips towards getting my 39 Ford convertible trim on without paint damage.

Thanks in advance

 

You can run some low tack masking tape above and below the trim hole,,that's the way I have done it in the past. HRP

 

HRP, I did tape above and below. I just can't squeeze the clips to get them to seat into the holes. I've tried waxing the clips but that didn't work. How have you been able to push them into the holes?

 

Rubber mallet,,it doesn't take much. HRP

 

Good hard push got mine in without any paint damage.

 

Just a firm push on all the 40's I've done-just make sure the trim is gonna line up prior--pm me for more info if you need

 

Heel of my hand has always worked for me.

 

If there're used clips sometimes they get distorted. Try new clips and I put some grease on my fingers and coat the ends to help them into the body holes.Then I use the heal of my hand. Painter tape idea helps also.

 

I wrapped a shop towel around a paint paddle,made sure clips were lined up properly.light tap with plastic hammer.Most of them went in with a firm push though

 

a few things---
-make sure your body lines are correct door to 1/4 and door to cowl
-may have some paint buildup in the trim holes--if so,run masking tape over the holes and carefully file out with a small round file
-install the door trim
-on a 40 1/4, cover the trim holes front to back with masking tape-now put the bolt on clips on the front edge and rear of the trim piece-bolt to body over tape--now ck trim alignment
-at this point you may have to file out 4 or 5 holes back on the 1/4 to get the trim aligned--then run tape above and below and install trim-if hole are clear and clips are good they should pop in with the heal of your hand
-seal all trim clips inside door and 1/4
-may have to do the same on the hood side trim to get a good line
Just installed trim on a 40 last week using these methods
Hope it helps

 

OK guys, thanks for all the good responses. I gave up on pushing the wire trim clips and instead made up clips using 1/2 x 5/8 x 18 ga with 10-24 x 1/2 pem studs and serrated flange nuts for all holes. Lotta work, but worked great and got perfect trim alignment.

Thanks to all.

abchurch

 

ab, thats how I did mine. Yes, a lot of work but the results were worth it. Trim fits very snug to the body and the paint around the holes doesn't get all chipped up and make a place for rust to start.

 

I had a Datsun roadster, and that's how I put them on. I made the little plate part out off br*** so it wouldn't get rust drip marks. been on there since 1988.

 

Flexible BX has red plastic bushings which could be trimmed and incerted into the hole to protect the paint. IMOP. I think being very careful you would still chip the paint. No easy way.....

 

On a similar car, I tied nylon string to the trim clips, p***ed it through the holes, lined up the holes then had a helper pull the line from the back side while I pushed on the trim with the heel of my hand outside.

Every time I go through a time consuming, stressful, tedious ***embly step like this ( ie. aligning 34 Ford grille and hood! ), I always wonder how quick and easy the step would (have to) be done on the original ***embly line.
Imagine some guy with a stack of stainless trim popping these things on in less than a minute as the car rolled by on the ***embly line-all day long. No issues, no stress, no chipped paint. Bored out of his mind. Could probably do it blind folded.

 

Wasn't that bad in the factory in the early sixties. We had all new clips and never touched by human hands parts. Even had time to run get a drink of water.