Body Trim removal??

[heavycenturion]

Guys, I need help locating some clips and maybe a tool. I also need some advice. I've got a 73 Centurion convert. and I need to remove the chrome trim that runs along the top of each door, rear quarter to rear quarter following the rear of the tops disappears into the trunk, and also runs along the rear edge of the hood.

I got one of these pcs off, and found there are little plastic clips that recess into the molding. These clips slip over a welded stud that protrudes out of the body panel in question. Thing is.. I want to take them off so I can get a real good paint job... but I broke two of the clips getting them off.

One. my Fisher body manual shows a tool for removing them. Anyone know if these tools are available?
Two ... and more importantly... are the clips available???!!

I can post pictures if anyone needs visuals.

Thanks!!

[Smartin]

To get the trim off the rear part of the hood, it just slips off the back. It will need some persuasion with a rubber mallet and possibly a block of wood. You just have to hammer it off the back end of the hood.

[73 Centurion]

Those clips are available as reproductions, or you can go to a salvage yard and peek under the trim of most GM's and find handfuls.

The trim is scary stuff. You need some force to remove it, but you don't want to bend it. You also don't want to pry with anything metallic or you could put a small dent in the sheet metal.

The clips slide over the posts, but the trim should not slide. Pry straight up and push straight down to re-install.

The trim around the rear of the roof is also a bitch. There are a couple of very small philips screws on the bottom that are always rusted. Your best bet is to brush off any loose rust, spray it for several days with a liquid wrench, then find a screw driver that fits perfectly. You'll have one shot to get these out before the heads strip. If you strip the heads you'll have a choice to make. You can get a right angle drill and try a left handed bit to get them out or take it to a trim shop who have more practice with these little bastards.

If you have side impact strips there are screws at each end of the door that must come out before you can pry the trim off.

The chrome along the trunk lid comes off just like the hood trim. Screws, gentle prying and viscious swearing.

The chrome on the fender extensions screws in from the bottom. :Dou: You have to remove the fender extensions, remove the trim and put the extensions back in place.

If you have chrome along the bottom of the car it has screws hiding under the car and then slides upward off of the clips on the body.

The trim is all Stainless (thank you dear Buick!!!) so a little 00 fine steel wool and some elbow grease shines it up nicely. I've been polishing my stainless after my paintjob and it takes forever. 90% of the results come from the fine steel wool and the last 10% comes from buffing wheels and compounds. If I hadn't started down that path I would stop at the steel wool.

A small hammer and a block of wood can do wonders at removing small waves and dings that invariably accumulate over 35 years.

When you are reinstalling the trim plan to spend some time bending, tweaking, fitting and cussing to get each trim piece to fit right. Buick didn't put that much effort into it originally, but I can't accept crooked trim so I get fussy.

Also tell your friends and family that car restoration is a hobby. When it's finished the hobby is over. That helps them understand why it's not finished in a weekend.

Thanks,
John