Exterior trim

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Any good tips to remove old trim from the brackets mounted on the body panels on a 52 or 53 wasp? I can get after it with a screw driver but it tends to bend it up pretty bad.

Also any tips for the trim around the windows/ rain gytter?

Comments

  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Do NOT, repeat NOT, ever under any circumstance, use a screw driver to remove chrome trim.

    Not only will you most likely destroy the chrome, but may damage the finish on the car.

    I recall a member that recommended a fairly long piece of plexiglass, slightly narrower than the trim (side trim). As I recall he beveled and pointed one end so it could be slid under the trim, and slightly rounded the edges. It worked very well - you simply work the plexiglass up under the trim.

    Someone else will have to tell you how to take the chrome around the windows, etc.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    HudsonTech

    Memphis, TN
  • RonS
    RonS Senior Contributor
    Alex, correct me if I am wrong. I have a tool that I bought years ago. I t looks like a 1 1/2" wide putty knife with 1" bent over to a 90 degree. You place the edge behind the trim and pry the trim off- Gently. Also put a soft material (rubber pad) behind it so no damage to the paint occurs. Works well on the stainless trim. Ron
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Thanks guys

    I thought maybe some sort of wide pry bar might work. Hadn't thought of the plexiglass. I will give it a try

    Tim
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The putty-knife idea is a good one as is the plexiglass tool.



    Both tools can be used together to assist each other. Using a long hardwood stick about one inch wide by about a quarter inch thick for 52-54 speed-line trim and one about half inch wide by three sixteenths thick for 50-51 trim has worked very well for me. The sticks need to have a very long and gradual blunted end on them. Shaping them can be done quickly by using a four and a half inch grinder or a six inch DA sander.



    You can use the smaller size one to remove the belt-line trim on 52-53 also.



    once you have about four inches or so removed from the retainer gently tap the long stick in and then place the putty-knife tool in at the bottom edge of the retainer. Take turns taping each of them down the length and they'll come off very easily.



    Remove the putty knife on occasion to spray some wd40 ahead of the tools. Another thing I like to do is use a small very fine round file and make small grooves about a quarter inch away from the edge of the putty knife to keep it from wondering back and forth while you tap it.



    Using this technique will ALWAYS bend and distort the retainers some but they are easily straightened for re-use if they have not been compromised by to much rust.



    The drip rail trim is easily removed with the putty knife also. the filled groove referred to above is especially useful removing these since they are much thinner material and if the tool wonders upward can injure the trim from the inside.

    Starting from the back and going toward the front of the car usually works best.



    And most of all, be careful and don't rush.



    Good Luck
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    PWRLINZ wrote:
    Any good tips to remove old trim from the brackets mounted on the body panels on a 52 or 53 wasp? I can get after it with a screw driver but it tends to bend it up pretty bad.
    Also any tips for the trim around the windows/ rain gytter?

    The following link will provide a reprint of a tech article on how to remove stepdown trim...

    http://hudsonrestoration1948-54.com/PDFFiles/Removing%20Hudson%20Trim.pdf

    Good Luck... BTW RPMONROE (See his Post) can straighten those bent and twisted bits of stainless.

    :)
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