I'm putting the stainless trim back on my '54 Customline. I bought new clips for the stainless that goes on the fender and door and can't figure out how they go. Can anybody educate me????? I tried turning them sideways and turning, but then they are too loose and fall back out. They are not "spring" steel, so if they can't be bent slightly to insert them. These are the same type clips that were holding the trim on when I took the stainless off for paint, so I know they gotta go back on some way.
Iddy, biddy little red "x"s instead of pix. Try again to post. Use Image Shack if nothing else works. As far as the trim goes, try using sheet metal screws every 8 or 9 inches. That's always worked for me.
Stainless trim sometimes has a "slot" at one end through which the clips are inserted. You then slide them along the trim until they line up with their respective holes in the car. Don't know if this is the case with yours or not. You can use "dumdum" to hold them in position while you're putting the trim back on if they slide around and won't stay in place by themselves.
I can get 'em in the trim and I can get them to line up with the holes in the fender. I just can't get them to stay in the hole in the fender. When they go in, the tabs get bent and they won't stay. I tried turning them side ways and putting them on the fender. The tabs get bent that way too. If I can get them on the fender, the stainless will "snap" over the clips. I could pop rivet them or use sheet metal screws, but then I can't align the fender/door trim.
I haven't used that kind before . The ones I have used has a nit and bolt to hold them to the body of the car . What are the clips suppose to be mounted to on the car ? Window , door trim or where ? Jim
These go on the fender. The two front holes have the screw type clips. There are three holes on the rear of the front fender next to the door that can't be reached from behind and these clips go there. The holes are oblong, top to bottom for the trim to move up and down to adjust to the door trim. This type was on the fender when I took the trim off, so I ordered clips for a '54 to replace them. It's very difficult to explain. I think I will try and find some universal clips that are a little more user friendly.
Can you reach the clip from behind (inside the car) after it's installed and bend the 2 prongs apart to make them hold?
Can't get in there to them. If I could get to them, I would use the threaded clips and put a nut on them. I am sure there is some simple way to mount these things to the fender, I'm just too dense to see it.
Another thing to try is the plastic clips with the stem that have grooves on them . You just push them in till they are tight . Do you know what I am talking about ? They use them on door panels . They used them on the trim on Chev back in the mid 1970's . I have used them in a pinch before . If I remember correctly those clips go in on an angle and you either push up or down to get the prongs to close enough to get them both into the hole . Then they open back up and hold the trim on . They are tricky but best to try them with just the clip to see how they work . Hope this helps . Jim
very tricky! If I remember u put both into the hole. Now the smaller tab u hold tight down in the hole get something to hold it tight. while holding it down u take, like something pointed, and bend the longer tab up into the whole. These boogers are very hard to get them to stay. If you have a freind to hold it on the outside and you go on the inside and work the tab. I did these by myself and my fingers were sore.
My guess is that you may have reproduction clips which are made of the wrong material. I think these clips must be made of a spring steel in order to operate correctly. If you still have the originals, compare them. This will probably tell the story.
Yeah, Vein, they are expensive. They are the same material as the ones I took out. The problem is that I can't get to the last two next to the door. I have been looking for some of a different design that I can make work.
OK , is there a way to mount the clips on the finder first the very carefully slide the trim over the clips . I mean usually there is a space that you slide all the clips in first , then slide the clips in the position you want them to be to push in place . I had a piece like that on my 55 Ford and I ended up sliding the trim piece until I got to the place where they will slide off the trim piece . Do you follow what I am trying to say ? Jim
That's why you buy a roll of blue tape so you don't scream and cry why you make that little adjustment and miss the place the clip slides into the trim ! I would be lost without that blue tape . It has saved me many times ! Jim
These things must have been designed on Monday by a drunk engineer. Thanks Vein, I think maybe you have installed these things before. They are a pain. I like the fact that if I can get them in the holes good and tight, the trim snaps over them. But they are a pain.
The lower rear portion of the inner fender panel can be removed and you can access the hidden rear fender trim holes. Like others have said, I made some clips by welding 10-32 screws onto some steel strip which I installed onto the trim and then attached it to the fender using a washer and 10-32 nut through access panel hole.
Thanks Baker53. I found that panel and got some threaded clips to use there. Looks like I can get to at least two out of three.
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