HILLMAN CAR CLUB
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC

Tech Tips:  Body Trim Removal
HILLMAN CAR CLUB
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC



From: Dugg ORielly [homefree(at)cablelan.net]
Sent: Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 4:01 AM
To: To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Subject: [HillmanCars] Super Minx trim

HI,

The autobody shop which is repairing my car said that the trim on the side cannot come off so they will have to paint around it.  Is this so?



From: DOUGLAS EDWARDS [HILLMANFROMHELL(at)HOTMAIL.COM]
Sent: Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 2:30 PM
To: To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Subject: RE: [HillmanCars] Super Minx trim

NO!  It pops off very gently being careful not to bend it.  Some pieces may unbolt.  Check a parts book or someone with a super minx.  Clips should be available from the guy on Ebay   Jim Damelio in Virginia   .     Doug Edwards

From: clyde [cmarshalls(at)bigpond.com]
Sent: Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 8:57 AM
To: To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Subject: Re: [HillmanCars] Super Minx trim

Hi Dugg,

I just removed the stainless steel trim from the sides of my Super Minx Estate Wagon and it was fairly easy.  Some of the trim buttons broke off as they are just riveted on and corrode/weaken.

Might consider another paint shop eh?

clyde



From: Evan Hillman [hillmancars(at)comcast.net]
Sent: Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 11:53 AM
To: To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Subject: RE: [HillmanCars] Super Minx trim

The topic of non-destructive trim removal comes up fairly often.  Are there any volunteers out there willing to write a couple of paragraphs with a couple of pictures showing how they have done it?  Brian (Thanks Brian!) or I could help make a web page if we had the text and pictures.

Or – does anybody know any links to an existing page????

-Evan



From: clyde [cmarshalls(at)bigpond.com]
Sent: Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 12:41 PM
To: To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Subject: Re: [HillmanCars] Super Minx trim

Hi Evan,

It is not a difficult process but one that requires some patience and dexterity.  I first work out where the buttons are located by placing a screw driver under the trim and gentle lifting up at various locations.  The trim will bend outward slightly between the securing buttons and you can work the screw driver towards the button and again, very gently pry the trim off the button.  I start at one end of each section as there is a button at both ends of each trim section whether it is a door section or guard (fender for US readers).

The key of course is to remove the trim without creasing the trim piece.  This is achievable even with trim that has never been removed.  If the button is corroded very firmly to the trim strip then explore the location on the back side of the guard and inside the doors to locate the rivet end.  You could cut that off with a set of cutting pliers and push out the rivet from the backside.  I have never had to do this as I have never had any trim that was in that condition.

I have had the buttons break off at the rivet and remain on the inside of the trim strip but that is easily remedied by some cutting oil spray (CRC in Oz and WD40 in the US) and working the button loose with a small screw driver.

Some trim strips are held on with other type fasteners like rectangular shaped spring type clips.  These work the same way as the buttons only they are not round.  These should be removed in the same manner and the are riveted on the same as the button type clips.

Hope this helps.  I could put together some photo as I have a Vogue with the wide type trim strips that I can use to make a photo lesson.

Let me know.

clyde



Photos and comments by Brian Vogt :

To avoid damage, use a well-worn screwdriver with rounded edges.
Wiggle it gently into position (directly beside the rivet), and rotate.
Trim strips on Series Minxes etc. are made of stainless steel.
The strip itself behaves as an elongated clip which gently clasps a row "buttons."
A broader strip has more "give" in it, and is therefore a bit easier to remove.

The button is pop-rivetted to the car body.  Sometimes the rivet will corrode to the extent that it breaks during trim removal.  This is a best-case scenario, as you won't need to use so much force.
Now that the strip is off, drill out all rivets and install new ones.


BACK to Tech Tips index page

HOME page