Trim clip solution/option

[RobertKB]

I have been reapplying the trim to my Dodge D25 Club Coupe (Plymouth with some Dodge trim). I re-used a lot of the older but decent looking clips but ordered some new trim clips from Restoration Specialties. I used the new clips near the end of the trim pieces with varying degrees of success. On the trim piece behind the driver's door the new clips would not hold the trim in place at all. This trim has been taken off twice by me in the 30+ years I have owned the car and got a good buffing this time so I am guessing the trim has perhaps spread slightly and would not grip the clips adequately. I am in no way disparaging Restoration Specialties as their clips looked identical to the old ones.

Anyway, to my solution and I hope it benefits others. I went to a local welder and had him cut me 50 pieces of 1" bar stock (what I call it) to the length I had given him. These pieces are longer than the clips because they slide right into the trim. I cleaned the ends up and put a bevel on the ends so they would slide in easily and down the trim. I measured the old clips and decided where I wanted to drill my hole. After drilling I tapped them for the appropriate bolts. I then painted them and once dry put in the bolts. I then put all the clips in the trim using the original sprung clip at the very end. Lined everything up and put it in place on the car and put a couple of nuts on temporarily to hold the trim in place. Decided on the level I wanted and then started adding the flat washers and nuts in place. I applied a good coating of black silicone on the inside which prevents water getting in and also acts as a lock washer for the nuts. Tightened everything up a there it was. It worked perfectly. I am going to do this to all the door trim and the other side behind the door. To do this with clips from RS would cost $2 X 48 plus shipping for a minimum of $110 plus duty when coming to Canada. My total cost for the same number of clips was $23.50. Some time involved but that's what the hobby is about.

This will work for the Plymouth P15 and Dodge D25. It will work for other makes as well but you would have to adjust measurements.

Sorry for the number of pictures but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. I also added a slight caption for each. Hope this helps some owners out there. If anyone wants more details, just PM or email.

Cut bar stock

Bevelled edges (not very visible), drilled, and tapped

Painted

Bolts added

Everything needed for one piece of trim

All clips in the trim ready to install

Finished result

[Young Ed]

How did you hold the bolt head while tightening? I made some clips for my front fender spears in about the same method-I welded machine screws to sheet metal and slid them into the trim.

[RobertKB]

How did you hold the bolt head while tightening? I made some clips for my front fender spears in about the same method-I welded machine screws to sheet metal and slid them into the trim.

I just tightened the bolt up really tightly and once the nut starts to tighten it just held fine. I did not over tighten the nuts either, just snug. A spot weld or bit of JB weld before painting would work as well. You would have to tape the threads that way as it would have to be done before painting, although painting is not necessary. Original clips were never painted. A small lock washer between the bolt head and clip would work as well. I might do that with the next set of clips as there is lots of room although everything worked out fine the way I did it.

[55 Fargo]

This should work just fine Rob, not surew you recall me making similar clips for my rocker trims.

These new custom made bolt down clips, will be very strong and durable, I will be something the very same, when i remove all of mine again someday, actually, could also get or make some of these myself, and start 1 trim piece at a time, and the trim can get polished at the same time.

Very creative, thanks for posting this......Fred

[Plymouthy Adams]

NAPA carries the generic clip that is so easy to use and bendable to mimic the shape and style of so many clips...they are spot weled studs and these little guys work miracles on installing trims. Usually on the wall in the body section or ask the counter man...I think they sell them some 12 to a package and the last I looked they were just a 1.00 or so each..even at the swap meet these are sold individually about the same price maybe as high as a buck twentyfive..as all these are prome to rust etc..priming them can go a long way..as with most all clips..dum-dum putty from 3M goes a long way in keeping water from seeping in through any mounting hole..