Auto Teach
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Who is the best vendor to purchase these from?
Cat Whiskers
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moparnation74
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Tim Chavez
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I mean the Humane Society may have some but I don’t think they’ll be happy about you taking them
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www.detroitmuscletechnologies.com/beltline-weatherstrips-cat-whiskers/
I liked the Top Cat brand. James Fillmore (Member) of Detroit Muscle handles them.
Look through my build thread for installation tips.
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/taking-up-new-residence.114133/
I liked the Top Cat brand. James Fillmore (Member) of Detroit Muscle handles them.
Look through my build thread for installation tips.
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/taking-up-new-residence.114133/
StreetWedge65
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Best price I found was from Mrmoparts in Surprise, AZ
Depending upon the application, some of the reproductions are not correct. No matter who you purchase from, the Topcat felts are the most correct in duplicating the factory original pieces in regards to the materials used and attaching hardware. Some of the applications are more correct than others, but the problem is that we are no longer able to secure the necessary profile of the beltstrip material. There is a large group of vendors who sells the Topcat brand, so you can price shop the piece and shipping.
If you should have any specific questions, drop me a message and we will help you out. Some cars have different combinations, so if your car does not have the originals, then to insure that you get the correct pieces, deal with a vendor who has good working knowledge of these cars. Believe it or not, build dates can impact the style used on the cars, so be forewarned.
If you should have any specific questions, drop me a message and we will help you out. Some cars have different combinations, so if your car does not have the originals, then to insure that you get the correct pieces, deal with a vendor who has good working knowledge of these cars. Believe it or not, build dates can impact the style used on the cars, so be forewarned.
StreetWedge65
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That's very true 69bfan. The first set (no mention of brand or vendor) I bought were no where close to fitting a 65' Belvedere 1. I wish Wiskers would add aluminum pop rivets to their kit instead of (however, original) staples.
If you have a trick for using the staples, I'd sure give it a shot?
If you have a trick for using the staples, I'd sure give it a shot?
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You can try to find and use the original holes for the staples or drill new ones. Very small rivits work too but are harder to hide.
www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/taking-up-new-residence.114133/page-26
moparnation74
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Love that interior!
StreetWedge65
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Beautiful car!!
Khryslerkid, very nice write up on the installation of the felts. Very detailed and the results of your efforts shows the quality of your restoration, job well done!!!!
The reason that we do not include a pop rivet or screw with the felts is that the felts were never installed in that fashion. Depending upon the application, we provide what was used back in the day. By 1971, you did start to see that some of the felts were starting to be installed with several screws.
That is not to say that a pop rivet or a tiny screw would not work as well or even better. Most restorers have the abilities to adapt to the situation and use what they feel most comfortable with.
The reason that we do not include a pop rivet or screw with the felts is that the felts were never installed in that fashion. Depending upon the application, we provide what was used back in the day. By 1971, you did start to see that some of the felts were starting to be installed with several screws.
That is not to say that a pop rivet or a tiny screw would not work as well or even better. Most restorers have the abilities to adapt to the situation and use what they feel most comfortable with.
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I have seen small pop rivets used and they were visible. A screw, even where they might have been used, would have to be a low profile so it wouldn't scratch the glass.
Useing the staples you can have them partially installed, and useing a exacto knife, carefully remove a little felt right under the staple (don't cut into the rubber). Then press the staple the rest of the way and bend it over. That totally hides them. It's all in how particular you are about the final look you want. I found the Top Cats were very close to being correct, even for the 1962. Well made also.
Talking to some of the vendors at Carslile last week, they were talking about some of the newer, molded, glass runners not being available anymore. Some kind of a copyright deal or something? Maybe you can add to what i was hearing.
The Chrysler mylar glass run is officially NS1 now. This item was discontinued once before approximately six years ago, but came back out again. This time around with it being classified as "NS1", then you will probably never see it available again through Chrysler.
The reproduction piece was a result of the glass channel being discontinued years ago. I provided the NOS samples for the reproductions and the pieces to test fit them. At the current time, the reproductions are available in limited numbers. The problem is the cost of the material and the amount that is required to purchase to do a run of them.
Unfortunately, when servicing the window system for many of the late 60s and early 70s Mopars, this is a much needed piece and you will see the pricing going crazy on an already very expensive pieces. The lockside channel run is still available from the manufacture other than the 66 to 67 B-Body applications. The manufacture of this piece was the OEM supplier and decided to quit producing this run when the machinery became too expensive to repair for the amount of channel that was sold each year. You have to understand that we are talking about machinery approaching 60 years old. As you know for the 62 to 65 applications, your left with using a product that works, but is not correct. The best thing about these pieces is that they are relatively inexpensive as compared to the mylar glass runs.
On the window felt or belt line material, the material that we were able to source from the OEM vendor for the later model 74 to 79 applications was available up to the past two years. At this time, no known replacement is available and at this time, the cost to tool up and do this material is cost prohibitive. For the 68 to 70 B-Body applications, the original supplier of the reproduction piece dropped it several years ago, and a suitable replacement was sourced.
On any given day, you never know what will be available until you place your next order for materials. Most of the suppliers are OEM suppliers of current day production items and have the opportunity to furnish the restoration hobby with the needed materials. When the cost to provide becomes cost prohibitive, these are the first pieces that they will drop which impacts all of us in the restoration world.
The reproduction piece was a result of the glass channel being discontinued years ago. I provided the NOS samples for the reproductions and the pieces to test fit them. At the current time, the reproductions are available in limited numbers. The problem is the cost of the material and the amount that is required to purchase to do a run of them.
Unfortunately, when servicing the window system for many of the late 60s and early 70s Mopars, this is a much needed piece and you will see the pricing going crazy on an already very expensive pieces. The lockside channel run is still available from the manufacture other than the 66 to 67 B-Body applications. The manufacture of this piece was the OEM supplier and decided to quit producing this run when the machinery became too expensive to repair for the amount of channel that was sold each year. You have to understand that we are talking about machinery approaching 60 years old. As you know for the 62 to 65 applications, your left with using a product that works, but is not correct. The best thing about these pieces is that they are relatively inexpensive as compared to the mylar glass runs.
On the window felt or belt line material, the material that we were able to source from the OEM vendor for the later model 74 to 79 applications was available up to the past two years. At this time, no known replacement is available and at this time, the cost to tool up and do this material is cost prohibitive. For the 68 to 70 B-Body applications, the original supplier of the reproduction piece dropped it several years ago, and a suitable replacement was sourced.
On any given day, you never know what will be available until you place your next order for materials. Most of the suppliers are OEM suppliers of current day production items and have the opportunity to furnish the restoration hobby with the needed materials. When the cost to provide becomes cost prohibitive, these are the first pieces that they will drop which impacts all of us in the restoration world.
Help me out guys I might be mixed up..on my 68 the window fuzzy pieces attach to holes in the sheet metal with metal tangs that are on the backside of the fuzz strips, but you are referring to staples and rivets etc..is that just how they worked for some years or are you talking about a different part? Thanks
StreetWedge65
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Staples were used on the door panel side. I know 62-65 had them. Not sure about 66' up. I don't mind using the staples included with the kit, it's just a pain locating the original staple holes. Installation on my 68' Dart was a breeze!
I've used small rivets and even screws. A little black touch-up paint and you'll never see them. Granted, not correct. But a lot quicker and easier. If you use the supplied staples, and don't want them to show, you'll need to paint them also.
I've used small rivets and even screws. A little black touch-up paint and you'll never see them. Granted, not correct. But a lot quicker and easier. If you use the supplied staples, and don't want them to show, you'll need to paint them also.
moparnation74
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Some models require different parts....
moparnation74
Well-Known Member
I use small flat headed black phosphate screws.....You never see them once installed and are much easier and quicker to install the strips.....If someone is digging that deep into my car than they are physically in or touching my car and then we have a problem.....
Ok good so same piece different year. Thanks for clearing that up for me (glad mine are the easy ones!)
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