lower aluminum molding

[dirkbalter]

Hello,
I am in the process of preinstalling the lower aluminum molding on my car. I have all around new fenders. The front fenders have 7.5mm predrilled holes for the (yellow / blue) plastic clips. My rear fenders have none. My doors have approximately 9.1-9.5 mm holes. The plastic clips at the recessed diameter measures 8.7mm. Short off best guessing the right diameter to drill or open up to, I was wondering if anybody know the right diameter these holes should be? (Preferably before paint) I searched in the forum and found quiet a bit on installing the clips and molding but nothing on the hole size itself.
Thank you
Dirk

[alchemist]

My 67 230SL holes are much smaller than yours, perhaps 4-5 mm. The molding in my case is installed using rivets rather than the yellow plastic clips. However, I have a different configurations than yours because I have a shorter, 2-piece bumper.

[dirkbalter]

Thanks.
Mine is 66 230sl. I not sure we are talking about the same holes. I was talking about the lower molding on both sides of the car. I will go with 8.4-8.5mm holes to have a little press fit with the plastic clips. I don't want to mess with them after paint. The upper molding however will be screwed to the body with 3.9mm sheet metal screws that require an approx. 2.9 mm pilot hole. I could see that someone riveted these in.
   

[alchemist]

I'll check again this weekend. You are talking about the rear quarter panel, right? If so, there is only a short lower molding on each side held by a rivet or screws.

[dirkbalter]

Appreciated. However, I went with 8.4mm holes. To clarify what I meant, there are 3 lower aluminum molding pieces on each side of the car that are attached with blue / yellow plastic clips. One on the front fender, one on the door and one on the rear fender. These are the ones I was asking about. There is another set of molding with a rubber insert above these. Four on each side , two on the rear fender which I assume you were talking about.  In any case, thanks.

[doitwright]

Dirk,

Did you also use the metal clips with the plastic to keep the trim from sliding?

[dirkbalter]

Frank,
I am planning to use them. Not at the point on installing the trim yet. My restoration is going slow. A one man show.

[doitwright]

Dirk,

I know what you mean about being a "one man band".

[J. Huber]

I never quite got the hang of installing these pieces. Do the blue clips get put on door first, or are they on the aluminum strip then popped in holes? Either way the problem with pressing the trim is it is soft and can dent.

James

[doitwright]

The procedure of installing the trim has been discussed on this forum. Blue for fenders. Yellow for doors. This is because of body thickness differences between steel and aluminum. Bondo under paint may add to thickness.

[alchemist]

I believe all SL's have 3 holes on the rear fender. If do not see these holes, they are probably been covered with bondo from previous work. It happen to my 67 230SL, when looked from behind the fender, I can see the bondo covering the holes. So, I drilled the bondo from behind the fender and installed the trim with screws. I hope this helps.

[waltklatt]

Dirk, there are no aluminum trims behind the tire, but in front is a short aluminum trim with 2 holes.
Door has 8 or 7 and front fender has 3.
Check the plastic clips to see if they fit.  Should also be a hard plastic (white) insert to each of the clips.

[dirkbalter]

Dirk, there are no aluminum trims behind the tire, but in front is a short aluminum trim with 2 holes.
Door has 8 or 7 and front fender has 3.
Check the plastic clips to see if they fit.  Should also be a hard plastic (white) insert to each of the clips.

I agree with you. I believe you are responding to zalsaigh

Dirk