VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 48 belt line moulding

How do you reattach the belt moulding? Do you install the clips in the moulding then press into the door. Or, install the clips in the door then press on the stainless? Or????

Chrome snaps on to door. Hook up all bottom edges, then pop the stainless with the palm of your hand. blue38

Agree!! It can be kind of hard on your hand to successfully engage all the clips, but don't give into the temptation to hit the moulding with anything else (like a rubber hammer). It leaves a dent. :-)

Great ! But I need to remove same moulding on my '47 Fleetmaster ( paint is cracking and I see rust ) How is that done ? I Don't want to damage anything ! There also appears to be a faded "pinstripe" on the moulding , is that "correct" ?

Kevin, if you see rust, I would bet that the clips are probably rusted too, especially the edge part that actually does the work. So don't even think of trying to save them. First, if there are any, remove any nuts from bolts (e.g in the trunk)along with any rubber washers. Then get a tool that will lift the moulding from the body without bending or kinking it. I have used a putty knife to remove beltline mouldings on 1951 models. Just insert it carefully under the edge of the moulding and see if you can wiggle it enough to make the moulding pull away from the body in one spot. When that happens, slip a thin shim behind the moulding to hold it away from the body and try again a little further along the moulding. Keep going, and it will eventually be loose along the entire length.

It takes gobs of patience and a gentle touch, but is quite doable. Pick up a new set of clips from Chevs of the 40's and you're set.

Also, a bit of advice given to me by an old-time bodyman - insert a thin layer of petroleum jelly into the moulding before installing it - that'll prevent rust from forming around the new clips but won't hurt the paint.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Kaygee , just caught your reply as I was set to ask a new Question . I'll start by looking in my trunk ! I have to look at a problem with my side windows not working and I have to remove the inside rear panels , so I was thinking I might "push" the clips out from the inside ? Kevin

I see five nuts in the trunk...six including me...and I can see some clips . Looks like two different types...Well , the cars been painted once before so...

I am presuming the molding is on the coupe in the picture, right? If so, there should be a connector link at the middle of the trunk lid. You might be able to see bolts and nuts the entire distance across the trunk lid from inside holding on the moldings.

If you get the molding loose enough so that you can see under it below the rear quarter window, you may find an attaching strip holding the molding on there on each side. The attaching strip is fastened to the body with sheet metal screws. To get the molding off the attaching strip, gently pry at the top of the molding. Again, the attaching strip's edges may be so weak with rust that it just disintegrates when you put any pressure on it.

Pop the molding off the attaching strip, then remove (and probably scrap) the attaching strips.Good Luck!!

That's the car ...there are 6 bolts with nuts ( and steel capped rubber washers ) in the trunk and under Quarter Windows are the wire clip/molding fasteners ( FS-1256 @ fillingstastion ) they pop out quiet easily and easy to get under ( 'cause I'm missing one on each side ) Also appears that there is one other type of molding fastener ( one on each side ) middle of the curve ( FS-2818 ? see catalog ) bolt type ? No nut , confused as to how it comes off . Thanks , Kevin

This is my 4 door. The six bolts held a "clip" on each. Notice the screw in the upper left of the first pic. That screw held on the mounting strip (whats left of it) on each side AND across the middle between the trunk hinges. These are what kaygee are talking about. Don't know if maybe yours have been replaced in the past. This is just what I found on mine. Good luck, Russell

Screw in the upper left photo is still there but it appears the "mounting strip" was removed prior to last paint job . It seems to be the sticking point...it's holding firm and has me worried...I'll take another gander...

O.K. guys...Got it off without damage...and I kid you not , there were at least 3 different type fasteners , two different nut sizes , one small screw hiding under one of the "overlaps" ( 'cause of a missing clip ) Three missing clips total & no hold down "strips" whatsoever and one elongated , hole how that happened is beyond me ( rust ? ) Guess I'll weld it . Now I see how much worse the damage is under the molding around the windows...don't know how that works either lol Thanks Guys , Kevin

What is it that you "aren't sure how it works either"?

As far as removing trim from around the windows...just took another look and it seems that perhaps I just have to carefully pry them off ?

Use caution, I tore into my test door I use before the real thing and found out (at least on a four door) the stainless is the first thing that goes on. Then everything else goes on top. Even lips over the window edge and had one revet.