Home made molding clips

[GMC Jim]

When removing the molding in preparation for sanding and painting, more than half the clips attaching bolts were broken because of rust and corrosion. Decided to make my own, more durable clips as follows:-

Materials:---
1 1/8" X 1/16" aluminum strip (for lower side moulding clips)
3/4" X 1/16" " " " " ( " upper " " " " " " )
3/4" X 10/24 stainless steel panhead bolts and nuts
1/2 or 5/8 " strip for washers.

Using a table saw with a 10" carbide tip 40 tooth blade; ripped 1/16" alum. stock to required width. NOTE: Use caution; when ripping, advance the alum. strips very slowly and above all -- WEAR GOGGLES !

Cut the 1 1/8" strip into required lengths of 3 7/8" long (lower clips)
Cut the 3/4" strip into required lengths of 1 5/8" long (upper clips)

Prepare lower molding clips:---When the required number of alum. clip pieces have been cut, drill a hole in center of clip using a #25 (or equivalent) drill for the later install of the 10/24 bolts. Stack the clips one on top of other and clamp into a vice. Use a 4" angle grinder; or similar, round the top and bottom clips corners as shown. Use a file to smooth out rough edges of the clips.

With a 10/24 tap; thread the previously drilled holes to accept the stainless bolts. Install the 10/24 bolts as follows: Hold the clip so that the upper left and lower right rounded corners are toward you. Inserting the crew in this manner will ensure that the clip will turn slightly into the molding lip just prior to installation on the truck panel.

The lower clip bolt heads will need to be ground flat so that about 1/16" remains of the bolt head is protruding. This is necessary so the the bolt head has minimum contact with the molding to prevent the moding from bulging at the point of bolt head contact. Also, bend the clips just slightly so that the outer edges of the molding will fit snugly against the truck panel.

Upper molding clips:--- construct the same as for the lower moulding except as follows: Prior to inserting the 10/24 bolt, bend the clip to ensure a tight fit when the molding is installed.. I placed the short (upper) clip ends between 2 pieces of 1/8" flat stock; tapped with a small ball pein hammer for the desired curve and then inserted the screws.

NOTE:--- Might be overkill, but when I installed the bolts; I left about 1/8" spave between the bolt head and the clip. Filled this 1/8 space with JB weld mix and then tightened the bolt... removed the excess JB weld ...Thinking this JB Weld application would further secure the bolt.

Cut square pieces from the 1/2 or 5/8 " strip, drill and use for washers.