Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Body/Appearance/Interior => Topic started by: jcassity on July 12, 2009, 01:11:52 AM

Title: Confirmed, Exterior molding center trim
Post by: jcassity on July 12, 2009, 01:11:52 AM
My 20th molding on the exterior has a gold center trim. Some thread somewhere had discussion on the bumpers center trim with the question being, is the center trim a part of the whole bumper mold and not removeable.

Maybe you all already know this but i didnt.

I messed around today and confirmed that all the center trim (ie- everyones red, silver and gold) is removable even on the bumpers.

There is a thin clear plastic cover over top of your option where it may be silver, red or gold and i found that my gold trim is covering a silver underside. 

So,, apparently, the defaut center of the molding color is silver and a plastic cover is supplied for red or gold.

The gold coating is located on the back side of the plastic covering as i discovered today.  I attempted to buff the weathered plastic cover as we would would headlamp lenses with no success.  I didnt really bust my tail at  it but did try using 2000grit buffing compound applied to my finger and rubbing,  using a large eraser, using a small not so agressive buffing wheel in a drill, all with no success.

So,,
IN the near future, I am going to remove all the center gold trim and replace it with aftermarket spools if gold that I hope to find at a parts store. I know Ive seen it for sale,, i hope to find the perfect match in color and width.  I wish i had an example of a newish gold sample but from what i can tell on some parts of my 20th, the gold isnt actually a glossy look but more of a flat to simi gloss.
Title: Confirmed, Exterior molding center trim
Post by: jcassity on July 12, 2009, 11:14:50 PM
OK,, huge dissappointment here.

All these years the rolls of various narrow trim pieces I have been seeing have been trim along fenders or doors.

the trim is much more narrow than what our cars have so I need to look a little bit harder for a source.

Checking with napa tomorrow.,, or on line now.
Title: Confirmed, Exterior molding center trim
Post by: jcassity on July 15, 2009, 12:38:19 AM
gezz
i cant find this stuff anywhere.  not even sure what to call it.

1/2'' molding? or what?
Title: Confirmed, Exterior molding center trim
Post by: V8Demon on July 19, 2009, 02:20:37 PM
Remember this?
(http://web.archive.org/web/20070523194043/http://www.aerobirdmotorsports.com/sitebuilder/images/IM003345-407x303.jpg)

It came from here:
http://www.precisiontriminc.com/

I believe it's gonna be the stuff listed as 7/16" -- the 200 series -- on the following page:
http://www.precisiontriminc.com/prod01.htm

They even have some installation instructions:
http://www.precisiontriminc.com/prod05.htm

Quote
Installation Instructions

1)    Application area must be clean and dry. Remove any residue with a proper cleaner or degreaser. Clean surface with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

2)    Cut molding to proper length using anvil type pruning shears or equivalent type of cutter.

3)    Pull off 6 inches of red liner and begin to apply molding. With one end          of molding adhered to surface, pull red liner away from molding as you apply the remaining length of trim.

            Note: A.  Apply molding in the proper position on the initial application. This adhesive has a very high bond and should not be repositioned.

                          B. Very Important: After pulling off the red liner, do not touch the gray adhesive with your fingers...hold molding by it's sides.

4)    Use a roller to apply pressure along the entire length of the applied molding. Do this several times, you cannot use to much pressure. The palm of your hand can also be used when a roller is not available.

5)    Allow molding 24 hours to set.


Contact info:
Contact Information         

Telephone
    256-593-2346
    800-243-4402

 
FAX
    256-593-2349
 
Postal address
    P.O. Box 644 
    Boaz, AL 35957
 
Ship to Address:
    507 Henderson Road
        Boaz, AL 35957


According to a certain someone's web page that does not exist anymore:

Quote
#61 Super Red: Original 87-88 TC, 87-88
Blue Max Cougar trim color
#00 Chrome: Original 87-88 T-Bird, Cougar
trim color
#60 Super Black: Matches Black
#12 Brite White: Matches Wimbledon White
#96 Light Saddle Metallic: Matches
Sandlewood Metallic
#81 Daytona Blue: Matches Shadow Blue
Metallic
#22 Silver Metallic: Matches Silver Metallic
#65 Ruby Red: Matches Medium Red
Metallic

NEW trim piece color trim: Available in the original
87-88 TC super red and 59 other colors. Not exactly
like the original (slightly more round) but so close
it's nearly impossible to tell. Available as a "kit" for
enough to do a whole T-Bird/Cougar for $29.99 plus
shipping.
Title: Confirmed, Exterior molding center trim
Post by: Quietleaf on July 19, 2009, 05:48:02 PM
Is this only applicable along the bumpers and fenders? I thought that the chrome/gold/red trim along the doors wasn't removable.
Title: Confirmed, Exterior molding center trim
Post by: jcassity on July 20, 2009, 12:36:36 AM
Quote from: Quietleaf;282827
Is this only applicable along the bumpers and fenders? I thought that the chrome/gold/red trim along the doors wasn't removable.


all the center trim is removeable.  just did it.  I had a funny feeling ford wouldnt mold the half round into the the wide body molding so i got to working on it. 

All of this thread is not applicable to some of our trims,, .
Title: Confirmed, Exterior molding center trim
Post by: V8Demon on July 20, 2009, 07:25:10 AM
Quote
All of this thread is not applicable to some of our trims,, .


What would the exceptions be?
Title: Confirmed, Exterior molding center trim
Post by: Watchdevil on July 20, 2009, 11:28:03 AM
The chrome perimeter moldings are toast on my car too. I have been looking at this for a solution when I get ready for exterior refinishing. My biggest obsticle is all the body side moldings are junk, and of course there are none to be found. So I am thinking I will have to settle for going moldingless along the bodysides unless I can find some OEM moldings or a substitute that will look good. I have pretty much accepted that this will not be a car that will be a correct restoration by any means. As long as I have a nice looking car in the end, I will be happy.
Title: Confirmed, Exterior molding center trim
Post by: jcassity on September 21, 2009, 12:25:17 AM
after locating my high dollar resource for trim, no gold to be had in the correct width that matches the pattern, I finally came to terms with an old backup solution.

For all of you with Gold center trim, the perfect match is called "sunburst gold metalic"

This paint is for sale now at Advance and it is a perfect match to the trim gold color and the wheels / center caps.

I purchased a roll of vynal electrical tape and painted sections with the sunburst gold.

with patience, i was able to install all the vynal tape over top of the faded plastic cover that hides the gold.

just fyi, everyone must have chrome as default center trim because i have noticed that the clear cover is only actually clear on the chrome trim. 

My gold trim is actually the plastic cover with a gold foil on the opposite side adheased to it.  under the gold is chrome.

so get a roll of tape and paint it up. careful not to stretch the tape or it will crack your paint layer.

looks great now, but i know this thread is worthless without pics.  soon enough.
Title: Confirmed, Exterior molding center trim
Post by: jcassity on September 21, 2009, 10:04:38 PM
some pics of the gold trim.  thought I would double up and get a mug in as well. 

Hand gliding is fun!!!
Title: Confirmed, Exterior molding center trim
Post by: jcassity on September 24, 2009, 10:04:40 AM
I forgot to add,,

the other reason for not going after market center piece trim was the options were not "flat" along the top like factory.  I didnt want to ruin the 20th so it is what it is.


diy to paing up your tirm

-get roll of quality electrical tape, white is a good start
-I rolled out sections and hung them from the overhead and sprayed.
- I learned quickly that the tape will roll up laterally which was odd
-if you add a heavy object to the bottom of the tape, it helps it from rolling up into what i can only refer to as a tube.
-let dry
-apply tape to center trim top edge by hand sort of tucking or slipping the tape into the top crevase.
-gently lay remaing tap down along face of center trim (dont press down yet)
-go along with a something thinner than a credit car and begin to sqeegie the tape top down and then tuck the remaining excess into the lower crevase.
-trim lower part of trim off with very sharp razor blade
-done