xA22/23 chrome window trim installation options..

[Major Clod]

Getting my windows done on my 23 in the next week or so... I have a question about securing these window trims...

The clips that hold them in make it a real pain in the arse to get these on/off... Sure I'm getting a windscreen fella in to do it, but the point is any time I need to get these off again, I'm gonna be fretting about damaging my fresh paint. Hell I'm worried about it now just putting the things on.


I was just wondering if anyone has used any other methods at all to secure the chrome to the car... I was thinking that if I can get a hold of some straight chrome, I might be able to glue them down on top of the rubbers using some sort of appropriate glue/sealant? One issue would possibly getting them to sit down close enough then?

Anyone experimented with these... i'd hate to have to take my trim off in a year or two time for whatever reason, and scratch/chip my paint all up trying to get the bastards off...

[Grant]

If you use the special tool to remove them then that will reduce any damage to the trim or the paint. If you glue them down then you will surely stuff them if you remove them later. It's a shame no aftermarket place ever made a cal-look type rubber that finished right at the edge so you do away with the trims all-together.

[Major Clod]

Do you know what said tool looks like or is called? I'd like to be able to remove the trims from my spare '23 and have enough time to clean them up before they are installed...

[Grant]

The tool is shaped like a big arrow head and has "MR215" written on it. I bought it about 15 years ago from a windscreen place.

[Major Clod]

Legend, thanks!! +rep

[timbosaurus]

I broke several of thes clips in the resto a few years ago, so haven't put my chrome strip back on.

I want it back on now, but not sure of the cheapest place to get the clips.

Toyhead does them for a couple of $US each, which is not much in the scheme of things, but I will no doubt need to do a few cars in my time, and if they each need... say... 10 clips, then i'm looking at over $100AU!

Would be nice if someone knows whether they are a universal toyota thing (ie: get 1990 corolla clips for 0.20c through Toyota), or if Clark rubber or someone does generic items?

Cheers,
Timbo

[Grant]

Have you asked at a windscreen place? They still must have clips as they still stock replacement windscreens for early Celicas. Alternatively try some of the restorer suppliers. Get the yellow pages.

[Major Clod]

When I spoke to old mate the window replacer, he said that he didn't know if he'd have any of the clips??? It didn't bother me as I have a whole spare '23 in the paddock anyway so I was just going to use those... Point is though when I asked him about it he said they were smaller than the usual ones and he would have to see if he could find some?

[timbosaurus]

Thanks Grant... I'm sure some of them know where to get it, but unfortunately I had the same problem as Clod. The windscreen guy said he'd have to reuse the old clips.

[Grant]

Don't take the word of one guy though. Sometimes people put things in the too hard basket if they don't have it on the shelf. I noticed in the Rare Spares catalogue they had clips that looked very similar to the toyota ones. Also check with other restorer supliers. Have you tried toyota for them? Long shot but worth asking. I wasn't trying to be being an arse saying "get the yellow pages" but sometimes ringing lots of places is the only way.

[CraigD]

You can still get the clips that hold the chrome trim in through toyota.

If you have any problems let me know and i'll chase them up for you.

["Z" UTE]

You can also buy the clips from any O'Briens Windscreen fitting shop. Been buying new ones for years.

cheers Chuck.