Repro side trim - a case study

[DaveB9]

Another post for an old thread, but it might help European members. I tried fitting a new stainless trim set using original VW plastic clips and found they would not hold as the return lip on the back of the trim is too deep, preventing the clip from "clicking" into place. And this is dry-building the car in bare metal.

I used the stud plate method from this thread, but you can't get Chrsyler trim clips in the UK. I found clips from an MG Midget sill trim worked perfectly - no need to trim them, they slide straight in. Part number is AHA9447. I got mine from the MGB Hive, who were nice to deal with. https://mgbhive.co.uk/?s=AHA9447

[kingkarmann]

Great info!
Thanks!

[688GUY]

My Ghia is a tad rough around the edges, been painted a time or two, I figured the clips wouldn't work, so I took this route. It's pretty straight forward, but I did have to make a few tweaks. First, it helps to have an extra pair of hands or maybe use some masking tape like I did to hold them on while you work on putting the washers and nuts on the inside. I was trying to trim the clips with hand tools, but they tended to get a little wonky, so I trimmed them with a Dremel. It's important to trim them well, no burrs 'cause they won't slide well and not too short or they tend to twist when you tighten them. There were a couple that gave me trouble, the lower ones on the doors at the front are really hard to get the nuts on around the lower hinge, so since mine isn't exactly concourse, I drilled holes about two inches aft of the forward furthest holes and added another clip there. The small pcs on the fenders were hard to get nuts on too, so I basically drilled another hole right next to the original holes closest to the door jam, so basically an elongated hole. At the rear, one set of holes put the studs too close to the inside fender well, so I drilled a hole a couple inches over. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the way it came out, but I cringe at all the German trim I've yanked off with a screwdriver and tossed in the trash over the years. The same goes for stock towel bars, I always stripped them off and now I'm going out of my way to put some back on, lol...Oh, I bought two boxes of clips, so I have some extra ones if anyone needs some, just let me know...

[Sid2024]

I applied some repro trim to my 71 KG. The aftermarket clips don't seem to hold well, and the trim can easily pop off. After trying adhesives, expanding the clips etc. I found a solution that worked pretty well.

Using some round philips head rain gutter screws and rubber backed washers, I was able to put a screw into each of the trim clips from the inside. holds tight. Thought others might be experiencing the same and would benefit from this method.

[James D]

[Era Vulgaris]

[James D]

Hi.
Thanks for that. I followed this link from further back on the thread and assumed they meant the U shaped clips....

https://mgbhive.co.uk/product/midget-1500-sill-chrome-fitting-kit/

I'd rather avoid having to to grind down 50 odd clips individually, not only because it's a hassle, but it also cuts through any rust protective coating on them.

I have a found a Rock Auto euro website which seems to have the Chrysler type clips in various widths. I'd better measure up my trims (stainless, but no idea who made them) and see how big they actually are before I buy the wrong ones.

https://www.rockauto.com/de/moreinfo.php?pk=10433572&cc=0&pt=165&jsn=775

[DaveB9]

That's annoying that the MG stud plates needed grinding down for the KGPR trim - sorry to hear you had that hassle. I don't know who manufactures the trim I used (from SSP in the UK), but it was stainless steel rather than ali and the MG stud plates slid straight in.

[James D]

There's a post way back that says the different trims seem to vary quite a lot in width. I'll measure before I buy.

[James D]

So after thinking about ordering from Rock Auto (who have stuff on a website, available here in Europe) and then realising that ordering a couple of the Chrysler style clips to try out would have both a hefty postage cost and imperial nuts would need to be sourced, neither of which I wanted to deal with.

I scoured ebay for every possible type of bolt head and eventually came up with some perfect little rectangular headed (9 x 20mm, m4 thread) bolts, intended to hold the trim onto a vintage Deutz Tractor. Not super cheap - I paid about 75 euros for 50, but they seem ideal. I fitted them with some plastic washers and spring washers and a stainless nut. As the threads are only m4, there's a bit of wiggle room to adjust the position of the trims.
If you're in Europe, they may be just what you need.
Search for "Zierleistenschrauben für Zierleisten groß Deutz diverse Traktoren"

[dave1]

Hi all,
Quick question. Are the exterior trim pieces the same for a low light as a later ghia, or are the front & rear trim longer on low light ghias.
Has anyone got any measurements
Thanks Dave

[Loren]

Early trim uses metal trim clips. so they have a thinner slot on the back. Front fender pieces on low lights are longer because the lower front fender is wider.

[dave1]

Hi Loren,
Thank you for the information. I guess the end pieces would be different than the later ones but had nothing to go by. Do you know of a good source which have a correct set, probably reproduction
Thank you
Dave

[Loren]

There is this set from Airhead Parts and they are having a 10% off sale right now:

https://airheadparts.com/vw-part/side-molding-trim-set-sharp-edge-141-898-497/

[dave1]

Hi Loren,
Thanks for the info, think I'll keep searching prefer stainless trim
Dave

[Loren]

ISP West has a set of stainless low light side trim:

https://vwispwest.com/karmann-ghia-stainless-moldi...1898111sl/