I had the cracked windshield replaced today on my 68 convert. The installer dug out all of the old bubba caulking and silicone sealer. There now is an open space on the left and right sides of the lower windshield that I need to fix with a molding piece. I'm trying to determine if I have the correct name for it- looked in the AIM and several parts catalogs. I think it is the "Fender upper corner molding" left and right. It goes in the curved space between the fender and the windshield. Is this the correct name, before I order the wrong part? RA


Disregard the reflection of the ugly guy in the photo.

 

Sounds right. But there's a middle piece also that goes on the wiper door.

Edit: Or is there? I'm unsure now and I'm at work...

Edit 2: Ok, google says there was. 69-72 wiper door molding is being reproduced. 68 seems hard to find...

 

That sounds like the correct part, but if you look at the pic (hard to tell) but you see part of the hood or is that the wiper door? If it is the wiper door it's molding is missing. If it is the hood then this car no longer has the wiper door and has a longer style hood.
Which is it?

 

Hi R,
That gap is part of something that people have to deal with when the change to the long hood that does away with the wiper door and grill is made.
Here's a look at the typical 68-72 appearance
Regards,
Alan

Here's the fender without the trim….. much like your picture.


Here's the appearance with the trim on the fender and on the wiper door.
The trim closes the gap with the windshield quite closely if adjusted properly.

 

That piece known as eyebrow trim is painted or stainless looking. That would also include the center piece. The eyebrow trim should be very close to the top of your door also.







As shown mine are not painted. Car is an early 69 model.
Hope this helps
RVZIO

 

All I can add is that in the FIRST photo that Alan provided in POST #4. There are TWO special clips that get attached to the edge of the fiberglass that aid in holding the 'eye brow' trim.

It is hard to tell in your photo if you have enough flat fiberglass so these special clips can be installed.

Because if you can not use these special clips...getting the 'eye brow' trim to stay in place can be REALLY FUN and NOT looked all FUBAR'd looking due to incorrect installation. I have darn near see it all in the numerous attempts people try to use to get these trim moldings to get installed....and TRUST ME the factory method is truly the best of all.

DUB

 

Hi RA,
This is the clip DUB described.
The tab on it's bottom side 'sets' in a hole drilled in the fender lip which prevents the clips from being slid off the lip as the trim is slipped in place.
Regards,
Alan

The clip:
Top


Bottom


The 2 holes drilled in the lip to receive the 'tab' on the bottom of each clip.

 

The PO removed the wiper door and installed the long style hood, but also removed the two corner moldings and filled in the space with caulking. The windshield installer removed the caulking, so there is just a space. I found the part and the clips in two catalogs, but the catalog description was not clear. Just wanted to check before ordering.

 

There is enough flat space and a drilled hole already there. I plan on ordering the clips.

 

Last time I installed these 2 upper fender trims on my 68, I tried using a 3M emblem glue instead of the clips. It worked better than the factory clip. I still installed the little phillips screw in the front, but used a small daub of emblem glue where the clip would go. I then had to pull them off again for some reason and just razor bladed them off and reinstalled as the first time.

Hope this might help.

(eyebrow trim prices! sounds good and I will have to remember that)

 

Hi RA,
Depending on how 'inventive' you're feeling you might consider figuring out how to attach the long trim piece (that compliments the 2 short trim pieces) to rear edge of your hood…!!!!
Here are the clips for that strip. The thing to remember is that the short trim mounts on fiber glass but the long piece mounted on the METAL wiper door originally.
Regards,
Alan



Underside of wiper door… receives clips.


Clips about 1 1/2" long.

 

Kudo's to Alan as always for outstanding photos and an unbelievable library of information!

You really need to write a book and include all of your photos! A multi volume set I am certain.

Much thanks!

 

The most important thing to remember about these clips that slide on the edge of the panel. The small catch tang that you can see in the photo Alan posted....HAS TO fit in the hole well and stay seated. SO...even though the hole is there....if someone FORCED this clip off....and it took the small amount of fiberglass that was actually keeping the clip from easily sliding off. DO NOT be surprised if you need to drill new holes.

AND if you drill new holes....keep in mind that how precise the hole is cut on the backside....so this catch tang can actually grab a good amount of fiberglass is what is the most important.

And with all due respect.....I have dealt with so many Corvettes that when I go to give them a courtesy wash before the customer comes to get it....and this molding comes loose due to some glue or double sided tape fail...I and then having to spend my time trying to fix it before they pick it up. SO...I personally prefer the factory method due to many other ways have bit me in the backside and the WORST possible time....and I stand there cussing like crazy. I have since learned to look at these moldings before I touch the car while the owner is still there...so there is NO MISUNDERSTANDINGS that if they are NOT installed factory correct.. that if they fail...it is NOT on me.

DUB

 

thanks.i didn't think about the clip gouging out the hole. Will have to put on my specs.

 

You can clearly see how the clips 'tang'...is what is going to grab the fiberglass. A vast majority of the time....when I install these...I take a pointed tool and press this tang a bit more...so it has more fiberglass to have to try to break out and less likely to slip off when you are sliding on the trim molding.

Actually that clip looks pretty good in regards to the depth of the tang. I have seen them much shallower than that...which is why I use the pointed tool.

NOTHING...repeat....NOTHING can be worse than installing these molding after the car has been painted and going through the final assembly of parts....and then have these darn clips fail. After this happens to you a few times....which is way too many in my book...you will spend the needed time to make sure they are NOT going to fail...by implementing some procedures.

DUB