Bumper to body trim how to retain?

[RichardHawkins]

I think I have read all the relevant old posts. I do not want to install visible screws at both ends.

So far I am on my second attempt. I have made a wooden replica of the bumper to body joint, and used this as a former to bend the trim strip to. My first attempt was with a trim strip that I have had for 16 years and has probably hardened with age. This strip buckled at the area by the headlamp pods. I am using a hot air gun to soften the trim strip with the temperature set to 95 degrees C.

Today I received more trim strip, and raised the temperature to 140 degrees C. I have also pulled the new strip whilst applying heat and have stretched it about 40mm. This looks promising while still on my former.

One of the people contributing to this topic holds the ends of the trim in place by inserting a screw vertically upwards, I cannot see how to do this with the bumper in place or how to fit the bumper with the trim in place.

Advice please from anyone who has mastered this job.

Richard Hawkins

[types26/36]

You are probably referring to one of my posts as I fit a vertical screw at the end, you are correct that the screws cannot be fitted with the bumper in place. What you have to do is fit the bumper and the strip shaping it with heat leaving the strip longer, tape the bumper strip in place then loose the bumper and pull it slightly out one end at a time (do not completely remove it) with the bumper slightly out drill and fit the screw or pop rivet. You may have to get someone to hold the end of the strip in place while you drill and fit the screw. Tighten bumper and trim end of strip.

[oldelanman]

Another option to secure the ends is to trim off the back so you're left with a flat strip then heat and fold around the wheel arch and secure on the inside with resin or adhesive of your choice.

[RichardHawkins]

Brian & Roger,

Thanks for the suggestions I will see what I can do.

Richard Hawkins

[ericbushby]

Hi Richard
As Elanman above, I cut the web off the end of the strip to make a flat strip and bent it round the wheel arch.
Where it settled when smoothed out coincided with an area of very thick fibreglass. I drilled it and fitted a self tapping screw which is not fully seated so the strip is under light tension.
I have a photo somewhere but I cannot find it. I hope you get the idea.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[gjz30075]

I used this, instead of screws
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HLY78N0?ps ... ct_details

I attached the tape to the 'T' flange of the strip, attached the strip to the body, then attached
the bumper. I cut off the ends but I do like the wrap around look, along with its functionality.

[RichardHawkins]

Greg,

I had considered using an adhesive, but I usually get in a sticky mess. I have some 3M double sided tape, what length of tape did you use?

Richard Hawkins

[gjz30075]

Richard, I don't remember the length but it was pretty much the full length of the bumper. And is was
a stick mess. Pulling the tape off the roll and applying it to the flange of the strip was the easy part.
The harder part was then trying to pull of the coating from the tape to expose the 'other' sticky side to
be able to stick it to the car. I probably could get away with using half the length, like the corners and
around the middle.

[alan.barker]

i had a Trim which i had bought years ago and when i came to fit it found it was wider than the one i fitted before.
Impossible to form the corner curves with out buckling.
So for the moment no Trim.
I was on Holiday in UK last year and bought other things at SJS. I was so sure the new Trim at home in Brittany was the correct one. I could kick myself for not buying another Trim from Steve at SJS.
With the Brexit getting a Trim posted is out of the question.
"c'est la Vie"
Alan

[JonB]

Don’t you mean “Le Brexit, n’est-ce pas” Alan?

God my French is bad….

[alan.barker]

Don’t you mean “Le Brexit, n’est-ce pas” Alan?

God my French is bad….

Ce n'est pas terrible mon Ami.
Vache Espanole
Kenavo
Alan

[RichardHawkins]

I have now spent one week trying to fit this piece of trim. As one of our USA friends said, only Lotus could make fitting a piece of trim so difficult!

Richard Hawkins

[alan.barker]

Ok boys lets start from stratch.
What are the cross section dimension of the plastic "T" strip.
I've got 2 plastic strips and they have a cross section completly different.
After all the work refinishing my Sprint i need to find a correct plastic strip "la cerise sur la gateaux"
Alan

[smo17003]

It's worth noting that the trim is an unequal 'T' (mine from SM was anyway). The longer side goes to the top (body) and the short side to the bottom (bumper). That's according to Neil Myers when I asked for his advice on fitting.
He also commented that the repro trims are "rubbish" compared to the originals. How often have we heard that before?

[alan.barker]

Ok we know that but what are the dimensions in mm please.
Maybe Leslie can tell us please.
Alan