door and body trim removal

[Nick T]

Hi I am new to the forum and live in the UK, I have a 1948 Desoto S11 that I am slowly restoring. Would anybody be able to tell me how to unclip the strips of trim that run along the doors and body .

kind regards

Nick .

[rb1949]

What's to restore? Very nice, go drive.

[Niel Hoback]

You are fixing something that isn't broken. It's perfect the way it is.

[knuckleharley]

I am in complete agreement with the people telling you to drive and enjoy it like it is,but on the off chance you have some dented trim you want to take off to straighten,there are usually two answers. Not familiar with the late 40's DeSotos,but usually there will be a small nut at both ends of the trim piece you can see when the doors or hood are open,or when you stick your head under the fenders and look at the back of the outside parts of the fenders. Remove those nuts and then use one  hand to push down towards the ground and the other hand or something like a wide-blade putting knife with tape on the blade to keep from scratching your paint,and pry out on the bottom part of the trim.

If you use one hand to push the trim down towards the ground and nothing moves,it means you have missed a nut. NEVER try to force the trim if it doesn't want to move. If it doesn't pop on and off easily,something is wrong.

To reinstall,reverse the process. You will see the little "spring arms" on the trim clips after the trim is removed,so push the bottom part of the trim in and up ,and then push the top part in to catch on the top lip of the clip.

Sounds a whole lot more complicated than it really is. You won't even need a putty knife unless there is a lot of mud or rust behind the trim. I used to pop this stuff on and off all the time for fun when I was a kid,just to be doing it.

I was a simple child,easily amused.

[DrDoctor]

   I must agree with everyone else – based upon what I can see from the photo, it doesn’t need restoring. So, drive it, and enjoy it.  Thx.

[normanpitkin]

Can anyone see both sides of the car? I can't,therefore perhaps there is something we cannot see on the other side.

[rb1949]

[normanpitkin]

Oh very clever!

[DrDoctor]

   Now, THAT was funny. And, as an added plus - now the steering wheel is on the "proper" side for use in England.

[Andydodge]

And the badge says correctly "otoS eD" ..........or thereabouts.......lol.......either way nice car, welcome from the antipodes........andyd

[Nick T]

Thanks everyone, the bit of dodgy trim happens to be on the otherside of the car. she does look great in pictures but pictures can be decieving. The grill is has been sprayed with silver spray paint at some time, along with the fender strips and the body and paintwork are not as good as they look in the photo. The interior is lovely I think it was done a few years ago but looks like its never been sat in. Mechanicaly she is fine just a few small issues tune up and spongy brakes etc. 

Regards

Nick 

 

[Flatie46]

Nice car Nick, is it a big hit in the UK?

[normanpitkin]

hi nick ,i am in Colchester but am always in London ,i have a 48 New yorker and a 41 Windsor ,have all the manuals etc if you need help!

[windsor8]

VERY CAREFULY .  If I recall we used a couple of very thin blade putty knife tools to slide under the trim to coax the mounting clips out of the holes in the body. The trim on the hood or bonnet as you say were held on with bolts. Here is a picture of my club coupe that maybe will give you an idea of the spacing of the clips. Just be patient.

[windsor8]

Beautiful car by the way.

[knuckleharley]

On 11/20/2016 at 10:21 AM, Nick T said:

Hi I am new to the forum and live in the UK, I have a 1948 Desoto S11 that I am slowly restoring. Would anybody be able to tell me how to unclip the strips of trim that run along the doors and body .

kind regards

Nick .

 

BTW,if any of your clips are missing or broken,you can buy them from http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/

[Nick T]

16 hours ago, Flatie46 said:

Nice car Nick, is it a big hit in the UK?

I have not had her out on the road yet, but everyone who has seen the car loves it .

[Nick T]

14 hours ago, normanpitkin said:

hi nick ,i am in Colchester but am always in London ,i have a 48 New yorker and a 41 Windsor ,have all the manuals etc if you need help!

Thank you for that i will keep you in mind, much appreciated .

[Nick T]

13 hours ago, windsor8 said:

Beautiful car by the way.

Thanks for the advice 

[Nick T]

13 hours ago, knuckleharley said:

BTW,if any of your clips are missing or broken,you can buy them from http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/

thank you .