belt molding and rocker trim

[nsmall]

This may be an odd or silly question.  Will the rocker trim and/or belt trim on a 73 Cuda potentially rub or scratch my new paint job?  521 restorations sells the proper belt molding clips and I just had my belt moldings polished out.

Should I test fit the belt moldings now before the car goes to paint?  I need to install the rivets and clips either now or after paint as I know I want the belt moldings but the rivets/screws are currently missing on my car.

My main question is, assuming I properly install both the rocker and belt moldings, will either potentially rub or scratch my new paint job?  The rocker trim, like the belt moldings are not currently installed on the car but the rivets for the rocker moldings are on the car.

Both door belt moldings have a bolt/clip already set up in the trim that I could see being used as a guide to install the trim.  As for the quarter window belt molding I have one that has a hole and the other does not.  The guy I bought it from said 73 Cuda belt moldings had a home on the quarter window trim so I need to drill a hole in the one that doesnt have a hole.  Can anyone confirm that  he is right?  Either way, I could insert a flat chrome small bolt and nut on the one quarter window belt molding trim and it will look okay.

Does anyone know how many clips per belt molding should I install?

Lastly, I have a set of aftermarket clips for the rocker trim and there are 4 really long screws it came with for each end of the rocker trim.  Can I use small screws as the ones the clip kit came with seem unnecessarily long?

THANKS 

[Cuda Cody]

I'm not up to speed on 73's but it's a good idea to line up all your trim prior to paint.  Window trim, challenger headlight buckets, truck lip trim, hood trim, quarter trim, and tail panel trim is much easier to get perfect if you can line it up it before paint.  If you're not doing the bodywork and paint yourself, your body guy might want the trim along with the drip rails so they can test fit them as they do the body work.  Anytime you can line up, test fit and make sure everything works before paint you'll be better off.

Are you building a show car, weekend cruiser or a daily driver?

[anlauto]

73 Cuda belt molding below the quarter window does not have any visible screw holes, who ever told you that was just trying to sell you some trim.

You could install the studs prior to paint or after it doesn't really matter. With proper clips/studs you shouldn't have to worry about your trim rubbing the new paint any more then it would have from the factory.

[nsmall]

It was supposed to be a weekend cruiser, but now its becoming a weekend cruiser that could show up at a car show and hopefully get some smiles and everything is either new or OEM restored to new.

[Cuda Cody]

Regardless if you know it or not, it sounds like you're on your way to building a super nice show car that you will enjoy driving and being the envy at all the locals at the car shows.    

It was supposed to be a weekend cruiser, but now its becoming a weekend cruiser that could show up at a car show and hopefully get some smiles and everything is either new or OEM restored to new.

[nsmall]

Dang, this site is already becoming my new favorite place online.

Cuda Cody,

I narrowed down the painter for my Cuda to two guys and one of them says all he'll do is the Bodywork and paint the car he will NOT install any trim or glass as I do have new glass to put in.

My question is does it sound like I should avoid the non trim/glass guy if he's not going to do any trim work as you got me thinking this could be a major problem as I'm having all my trim restored?

Both guys are about the same price and both guys are respected well here where I live I just never really thought about that being a total nightmare, I need less drama 

Thanks

[anlauto]

I would do the trim/glass myself....but hey.....that's what I do

[Cuda Cody]

Pick the guy you feel will give you the best results, and in the time frame you agree on.  Don't let the trim or glass hold you up from getting a quality paint job.  Doing trim and glass takes lot of time, but there are people out there that can help you.  We have a guy around here that does Mobil glass installation for the front and rear glass.  The side glass just takes time, but if you take it out you should be fine putting it back in.  Plus you got us to help you!    Don't worry about the small stuff.  Focus on finding the right guy to do the bodywork and paint so you feel good about who you'r working with.  Might be good to speak to a couple of their previous customers to see how they felt after the process.   You'll not alone in this.  There's no reason to hurry and make a decision if you;re not ready.  Take your time and you'll know when it's right and who you want to use.  You got this.   

Dang, this site is already becoming my new favorite place online.

Cuda Cody,

I narrowed down the painter for my Cuda to two guys and one of them says all he'll do is the Bodywork and paint the car he will NOT install any trim or glass as I do have new glass to put in.

My question is does it sound like I should avoid the non trim/glass guy if he's not going to do any trim work as you got me thinking this could be a major problem as I'm having all my trim restored?

Both guys are about the same price and both guys are respected well here where I live I just never really thought about that being a total nightmare, I need less drama 

Thanks

[anlauto]

Cody brings up a good point....Ask for references and ask to talk to current customers....

Most of my past customers will say nothing but nice things, but there is also a couple that weren't too happy either.....every business has them....

[nsmall]

Alan, this should be a soft ball for you...


How many clips per belt molding should I install? Curious of how many clips per door and quarter?  Im doing both sides and I was going to use rivet style screws with 521 restoration clips

http://www.521restorations.com/index.pl?page=smallparts&sub1=Fasteners  go to the bottom of the page, I think we already talked about this on cc.com

PS I will be test fitting these so maybe I should buy some extra as I will probably break some?

Thanks

[anlauto]

seven on the door, two on  the quarter