Any washing/maintenacne tips for factory style backlight louvers?

[Dibbons]

Who is using the backlight louvers on their Bbody? I am about to install a custom made copy of the factory style and it seems keeping the window and body parts clean underneath it all may be a little tricky. I don't feel like removing it everytime I wash the car. What do other owners wbo have this optional equipment do when washing/waxing their vehicles? Thank you.

P.S. I always assumed the factory louvers had hinges up top and the louver just flipped open to clean the rear window. However, the tabs they used seem to make it more of a "semi-permanent" installation.

 

[mmissile]

Swifter

 

[72Fourspeed]

I haven't put mine on yet, but they are the ABS type with a turn screw removal setup. I had aluminum ones on my Trans Am. They were hinged with a prop rod. Not a big chore to clean, but water hid there every wash day. Had to blow dry them at highway speeds.

 

[Dibbons]

Trivia: A forum member told me that the factory Bbody backlight louvers had a clip in the upper piece that locked into the rear window stainless moulding in the centerline area. Never heard that before and my reproduction ones from Dayclona do not have provisions for any such clip either.

 

[71airgrabber]

Anyone have a pic of that clip to confirm this ? I have never seen a factory bbody set in person.

 

[tak419]

Trivia: A forum member told me that the factory Bbody backlight louvers had a clip in the upper piece that locked into the rear window stainless moulding in the centerline area. Never heard that before and my reproduction ones from Dayclona do not have provisions for any such clip either.

Here's a couple pics of the backside where the molding clip screw into. The clip is in a bag with the mounting hardware, I will post a pic when I dig the bag out.

 

[Dibbons]

Amazing picture of the factory mold provision for a louver clip, I feel like I just shared in the discovery of King Tut's (Tutankhamun) tomb or something.

 

[tak419]

Amazing picture of the factory mold provision for a louver clip, I feel like I just shared in the discovery of King Tut's (Tutankhamun) tomb or something.

Stay tuned for tomorrows episode and the unveiling of the actual clip lol

 

[WileERobby]

Mopar archaeology at work here.

 

[tak419]

Mopar archaeology at work here.

Let me say something about the clip, if your trim is tight to the body the clip will scratch or chip the paint and once it snaps in and grabs the window trim it's hard as heck to get back off.

It's hard to see but there is a small lip that will grab the bottom side of the window trim. Look close at pic 1

 

[Dibbons]

I see what you mean, I'd rather have seen an exposed chrome plated screw where one would have had easy access to attach and remove that clip. My repro upper louver piece is the best fitting part right now and unless it warps later, a fastener in the middle won't be missed (although it would lend to the overall strength/integrity of the louver system.

 

[dangina]

did you buy the dayclona louvers? always thought about buying their set...

 

[Dibbons]

Yepp, going to "final" install the "Dayclona" louvers today.

 

[dangina]

Yepp, going to "final" install the "Dayclona" louvers today.

keep us posted and take a bunch of pics!!!! Been contemplating this for awhile now...

 

[Dibbons]

Fotos:

 

[dangina]

that looks awesome!!!