Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

So I'm repairing my rockers, but I'm heading down the rabbit hole!

I pulled my door panels, so while I've got them off I'm going to remove the trim so I can sand and polish it.

How is the trim above the window fastened? Whatever it is it's behind the seals, so I'm guess this is a good time to replace my seals as well?

Are there little bolts for the belt molding and then the one end is held by the door handle? I'm sure this will be clear once I look a bit closer





The little piece between the doors, how is this held on? I have tried to remove that interior trim piece before, but was concerned about damaging it so I left it alone. I may have to just polish this piece of SS in situ.





This is just an idea, I'll report later.

The top piece uses stamped sheet metal clips with tabs that bend over. The tabs are under the weatherstripping so obviously that will have to come off to RNR that part.

I forget on the middle piece but to remove the trim panel you need to get something really thin back there to squeeze the clips. There is a clip that goes in the hole and expands but it's not much force (unlike the wire molding clips for example). Perhaps some fishing line or really slender pliers would be appropriate to get behind there and start the clips.

I have this stuff off a car but it's at the shop. Might could get some photos later.

The cheap way to do it, if you don't mind, is just a bit of silicone seal, and it is temperature resistent, water-proof anyway.

And if something goes wrong and you really need it off, just pull it off and scrape whatever left on.

(I used this method to make all the chrome panels except those four on the doors stay on my 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood, after they kept falling off for years. No one could tell unless looking from underneath)

Quote:

I don't have any issues with my trim staying on, I'm just removing it to straighten, sand and polish it.

In this case, I think, more likely than not, the tab is identical to the one left to it, and right to it (no obvious reason to make this one too different)

But the longer trim works like a level, thus easier to pull off. This one is so tiny so the tab can really hold it tight, tighter than those on the longer piece.

I don't recall what holds the little pillar pieces on for a passenger car but on a Henney-Packard, they just push on. There are inserts in the holes which hold them and, of course, some dumb-dumb to prevent leaking through the holes to the interior. Those that I recently replaced on a 1956 were held on the same way.

Quote:

I will politely disagree because to me there is an obvious reason which is that the piece could rotate with just one clip. Also, the door pieces can use spring clips in the middle but threaded clips on the ends (depends on the model).

So, the middle piece uses 2 studs and 2 special retaining clips 437158.

Also here is a thread discussing this topic on a 55 with relevant info.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... c_id=9286&order=DESC&status=&mode=0

Robin here are the photos of the outside upper trim clips and the interior B Pillar trim clips.

441635 and 462480 respectively.

Technically your B Pillar is a different fastener, 435567, but I imagine they are basically the same.

Attach file:

---

  Screenshot_20250526_003500.jpg (1,504.04 KB)

Quote:

Thank you! I suppose my clips are a bit rusty for the B pillar trim and are a bit reluctant to let go.

Rusty clips are a pain! I was at my buddy's shop yesterday working on my rockers and blasted a bunch of the clips for my trim. I'll give them a coat of POR-15 and they'll easily pop in and out.

All the clips make sense now! I love how the door handles attach, what a great system!

Unfortunately the screw for the little trapezoid that holds the front of the driver's door belt molding when for a little trip when I was buffing it. It's in my garage..............somewhere. Might be faster to go get another from my parts car rather than trying to find it.




When I put these all back on I think I'll make little seals for these out of 1/8" rubber foam like Packard did for later years. Not for the top clips, they are sealed by the door seals.


The inside of my doors have a bit of surface rust that I'm going to clean up a bit and treat while the doors are apart. I found it interesting that they didn't coat the spot where the trim goes. I suppose this was masked so coating didn't spray through the holes, but it also left this area, right where moisture comes in exposed. Mind you, I believe that the coating was for sound control, not corrosion protection.

Any recommendations for a brush on product that I can use on the inside of my doors? Not planning on removing everything so don't want to be spraying. I do have some of the Rust Check "Interior panel protectant" that I could brush on.