When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My 1965 MK2 was missing the rear chrome trim and clips on the rear fenders/wings. I have installed new clips and I am now attempting to install the chrome trim. So far I have managed to break a couple of the spring clips in attempting to "press on" the chrome strips and have come very close to causing deep scratches in the paint. Does anyone have any lessons they could pass on the will help me to successfully install the chrome strips?
When I did mine in the mid-eighties, I junked the horrible little clips that cut you and used the button type. I had no problems, but the technique would seem to be get the trim onto the top of the buttons then press on the lower side and it should then clip on. What you don't do is try to just press them on, get one side behind the clip first. That is how I remember it, but obviously it's a long time ago. A bit of lubricant or anti-rust fluid may help.
Those little 4 pronged clips are a disaster. I used the button clips on my restoration with a dab of Tectyl on each clip. They worked an absolute treat!
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 10-21-2019 at 05:28 PM.
Those little 4 pronged clips are a disaster. I used the button clips on my restoration with a dab of Tectyl on each clip. They worked an absolute treat!
Glyn...where did you find these. Can you provide a link to what you used? Thanks,
Thanks Glyn for your quick reply! I will order the Barratts kit. A couple more questions if you don't mind: The car runs great and the original interior is all intact, so I'm going to leave all of that alone. I only want to paint the exterior and I'm not going to remove the door windows or frames. 1. If I remove the interior door panels will I be able to get the outer door handles off? And 2. Do all of the chrome strips pry off and un-clip from the outside or are some of them fastened from inside with screws?
Best,
Dave Catron
Yes if you unclip the interior door panels you can get to the door handles. Top of panels is glued to doors so just flap them up. Obviously you will have to repair plastic film behind cards to keep them dry.
Most trim just unclips apart from front of front doors that have a T clip to prevent blowing off. One nut to remove each side accessible from door jam.
Short B post trim requires you to remove a nut from behind.
Bonnet strips are held on by bend over staples on some cars. It varies between some years.
Read the Register thread above. Covers most things.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 12-13-2020 at 12:45 AM.
Be careful with the pop riveter ! When I fitted my little buttons to the doors way back in the late 80s, I found that when the rivetter "popped" the recoil could result in the gun co ing back and damaging the paint near the button. I can't remember what I did to prevent this on the rest of the buttons, but I think I used some masking tape. Others may know of a different method.
Thanks so much Fraser, I will definetly heed your advice. Did you happen to use a manual pop riveter or a power pneumatic riveter?
Best,
Dave
As per Glyn M Ruck. My pop riveter even looked like his ! It had blue handles, anyway. I also remember using some waxoyl to prevent rusting at the buttons, and also, when I'd put the trim strips on, pressing in DumDum putty into the top of the strip to stop water getting in. A bit of white spirit removed any surplus.
10-20-2019 | 06:39 PM
Suggestions on best way to install chrome trim
