Newbie looking for help with trim

[CaptainAtom]

Hi everyone, I just recently bought a 67 Charger which will be arriving tomorrow. ItsI in really good shape but there is some minor body work that needs to be taken care of and I'm planning on painting it a different color. So first I need to take off the trim that's on the car so I can strip it to bare metal but I'm not entirely confident that I know how to do it. I bought a book on restoring B body cars and and it's not very clear on how to remove the trim. It says in one part that you can just use pliers with plasic jaws and just pull it off but in another section it recommends using a windshield removal tool or something flat to get under the trim to get it off the clips. If anyone can help me out with this with so.e pictures or well written instructions that would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dadsbee]

for the drip rail trim.

 

[CaptainAtom]

Oh cool, that'll work, now do I just use the flat part to pop the trim off the clips? What about the rest of the trim?

 

[dadsbee]

No, like I said "drip rail trim". Flat end only, like opening a bottle. Tab under the lower edge, wide flat end up. GENTLY lift a bit at a time as you work your way down the trim piece. You need the correct tool, or make one, to do the window trim to get the clips to release.

I modified a carpet knife to work okay, but if you've never done it before I'd suggest finding the correct tool.

 

[Charger Dana]

Trim removal tools will help. Not expensive ($10-15 ish). I wouldn’t use any metal tools unless necessary (and it will be). Be super patient. It can be frustrating. I was fortunate to have a few experienced people help me. Window trim is the worst.

Drip rail is curved to “snap” fit, try not to bend it or it’ll be tough to put back on. Using plastic tools or a wood block to gradually bring it off helps reduce marking the stainless. Start one linear edge and gradually work down the roof line.

If you have access to other cars to look at you can learn a lot about how it goes on/comes off.

 

[Charger Dana]

If you’re lucky you’ll have a little “L” corner trim piece about 2” long. It bridges the bottom of the A pillar drip rail to the bottom of the front windshield lower molding. It’s screwed in (if still present), so try not to damage it. Depends on how and how often your car was painted. It’s often missing after 50 years.

 

[Charger Dana]

From forbbodies, windshield reveal mold removal tips with good pictures.

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/windshield-trim-removal-help.65938/

 

[Charger Dana]

Peak trim removal requires careful force. Makes me wince every time as it isn’t available through reproduction. Hard to find good used ones. It runs along the fender, door, quarter panel. It’s anodized aluminum, so it has a bit of flex/give to it. I’ll try to find a picture of one removed, as there is a clip that snaps on the pinch weld and the mold snaps to that. Also an anchor bolt at the end. You need to access that through the door after the panel is removed.

 

[dadsbee]

That's a good tip thread.. from for B bodies. One thing missing, put a piece of cereal box cardboard down behind the tool so you're not needing new glass as well or you'll have scratches all along the glass.

 

[Charger Dana]

For 66/67 Charger people (or anyone really) I can’t stress enough how useful the factory service manual (FSM) is.

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=109

@CaptainAtom - how experienced are you? Good access to help or tools? Best of luck with your project, it’s a ton of rewarding work!

 

[CaptainAtom]

Hey all, thanks for all the helpful information, firstly I'm not really experienced at all, all the work I've done on my day to day driver has been done with the help of YouTube and the Haynes repair manual. Secondly I do have a few people I can talk to for help which is good and I did pick up a repair manual for the 67, pretty sure it's a reprint and not sure if if it says how to remove trim in it. Thirdly I know I'm going to reveal the depth of my ignorence but I'm not clear on the terminology, what exactly are the drip rails and what is peak trim?

 

[PurpleBeeper]

"Newbie looking for help with trim" - Just say hello & then tell her you have a nice Mopar (couldn't resist) - GREAT advice above (for cars that is)

 

[RedBeard]

Hi everyone, I just recently bought a 67 Charger which will be arriving tomorrow. ItsI in really good shape but there is some minor body work that needs to be taken care of and I'm planning on painting it a different color. So first I need to take off the trim that's on the car so I can strip it to bare metal but I'm not entirely confident that I know how to do it. I bought a book on restoring B body cars and and it's not very clear on how to remove the trim. It says in one part that you can just use pliers with plasic jaws and just pull it off but in another section it recommends using a windshield removal tool or something flat to get under the trim to get it off the clips. If anyone can help me out with this with so.e pictures or well written instructions that would be greatly appreciated!

The tools that Charger Dana shows work well. I have a similar set and a Craftsman upholstery tool set that work well too. Also look over the downloadable manuals on the website mymopar. The 1966 Charger supplement has some trim picts that are great reference. So look over the 66 and the 67 manuals plus the parts catalogs http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=107 are helpful too.

 

[CaptainAtom]

Hey again thanks for everyone's help it's much appreciated! Also would AutozAut or some place like that carry the trim removal tools or do I need to order them online?

 

[Charger Dana]

Terminology is huge- steep learning curve. Tools: get them at almost any tool store, especially auto. These don’t need to be high end.

Driprail: runs over the side windows on the outside of the car. Looking down the length is shaped like a “c”. These are stainless steel.

Peak mold: goes along the fender, door, quarter panel. Note that the fender is the front side piece, quarter panel is rear sides of the car. These are anodized aluminum. Except for the fender spears, which are chromed pot metal. Be extra careful with those. Best way to remove is to take off front tire, remove splash shields, spray Rust Check on any bolts. Let soak for a while.

Don’t be afraid to ask simple questions, I didnt know much when I started but I learned a lot as I went. So now I know more and still don’t know very much!

 

[Charger Dana]

Do not throw out ANYTHING. Original is almost always better quality than reproduction. Fixed old parts usually better too. Some things you can’t buy at all, so hold every clip, bolt, nut etc. you can.

Get a roll of painter’s tape and ziplock bags. Label EVERYTHING. Take lots of pictures on how things went together/came apart. I wish I had labelled more, and took more pictures. Any time spent at the front end will save you grief and agony when you re-assemble. Trust me. Keep all your parts in one location, small parts in a rubbermaid storage bin. You’ll need a few.

 

[Charger Dana]

Fender spears: one year only part. you can find some reproduction ones. Used are hard to find. Originals often have broken front screw holes, have residual paint from a “mask and paint” repaint, wires and connections often broken, loose or rusty. Underneath is a speedinut, stock also had a rubber gasket of sorts. Lenses often sun faded.

Cleaning etc. is a whole other topic, but don’t use ANY abrasive on chrome. Peak mold has a similar bolt on the ends of each piece, but clips in between.

 

[CaptainAtom]

Awesome Charger Dana all your input is greatly appreciated and will be put to good use, thankfully most of the chrome is there just not on the car so I shouldn't have to dink around with it for too long. I'll definitely be stopping at AutoZone on my way home from work tonight!

 

[RedBeard]

Awesome Charger Dana all your input is greatly appreciated and will be put to good use, thankfully most of the chrome is there just not on the car so I shouldn't have to dink around with it for too long. I'll definitely be stopping at AutoZone on my way home from work tonight!

Also you may want to take picts of the removal process and bag/box/label everything.

 

[1967coronet]

here is the style of glass trim tool we use at the shop. most parts stores should have them.
pop off the corner trim pieces then move to the strips
one thing is on the windshield and rear glass the lower trim will be full of dirt and crap.
Top and sides will come up pretty easy.
the bottom will need washed out and blown out with air so you can get a decent bite on the clips.
Starting on one end slide the hook under the trim and work it along until you feel the clip.
give the handle a light twist and the trim should pop up.
then move on to the next clip.
Release each clip. do not try to pull or push the trim off it will kink because of the curved shape.