Removing Chrome Trim

[Andy Borris]

Sorry if you've read this on another board, but you can't have too much good advice! ;)

My MK1 is in the paint shop on the 20th of this month, in an effort to keep the price down, I'm removing all the body trim and lights!

Starting from the front and bearing in mind, that the more I remove, the better the finish (less masking paper ridges!)

The grille?
The Triumph letters?
The gutter trim? And will this refit or will it be too warped?
The rear roof trim? And rear boot trim and will these refit easily?

And if I remove the wiper spindle nuts, will the spindles disappear into the dash? Don't want to have to remove the dash to refit them, did it once before on a Sprite, that's hard enough, a MK1 will, I imagine, be much harder!

Thanks

And it's staying Valencia Blue :)

Andy

[DJB_Harvey]

A word of warning be wary of taking the gutter trims off unless you've done it before , there very easily damaged . All the other trims are straightforward to take off if you careful with a blunt instrument . You may find you have to drill the heads off the grille screws to release it , fit new captive nuts with stainless screws  ... Same for the sidelights / indicator units . Removing the wiper spindle nuts & rubbers is fine , they won't fall behind the dash . Triumph letters on the nosecone can be removed carefully with an old credit card ... Cheers Dave

[Richard B]

After taking the letters out, push out the little plastic cups that hold the pins.

This will make it easier for painting/rubbing down.


Sill trim?

[Chris B Mk1 PI]

If i remember correctly, trick with the gutter trims is to use a small hard block of wood and tap the bottom edge of the trim underneath, outwards and away from the car. Do it stage by stage moving the trim out a few mm, along its whole length, before going back to the end and starting all over again. It can be done, but it need patience. Just pulling it from one end will distort it nicely!

[DJB_Harvey]

As Chris states that's Exactly how to remove them safely.

[Andy Borris]

And how to get them back on? :)

Andy

[Andy Borris]

Further to the above.....Does anyone know what the best solvent for removing Dum Dum from the body work is?

And hands?

And clothes? ;D

Andy

[TedTaylor]

Carefully scrape off the surplus with a soft scraper (piece of plastic) then use White spirit or similar - Dum Dum is non setting.  If that does not shift it, or it has set, you do not have Dum Dum and will have to resort to stronger solvents that may damage paint.

The reason for using Dum Dum is that it is non-setting though it may dry out a bit if exposed to the air, and can be removed without solvents that attack paintwork (when Cellulose was King).

I use it a lot under washers where screws/bolts go through inner wings and though the floor where you want to seal out any water.

Ted

[Spitfire2500]

Useful thread this  :) Been looking at the gutter trim on my 2000 for the last six months and wondering how I was going to get it off when the time comes...  :X

[Andy Borris]

Will be having a go today and will post on the results!

Andy

[Andy Borris]

Had a try at removing the gutter trim and my nerve failed  :-/!

I couldn't ease it off with a piece of wood and a screwdriver, whilst  removing it, would (I feel) twist it out of shape too much, making refitting impossible.

Now stuck, everything is off apart from this gutter trim....any suggestions?

Think I may leave this to the paint-shop to do.

And refit!

Andy

[Fuzzy Harris]

Why are you removing the gutter trim ?  masking is the best bet, i`ve never seen any rust behind them when i`ve saved some off a rusty triumph i`ve broken, just seems like a big job that will cost you time money and warped trim when you refit it, and maybe a lot of regrets  :-/ good luck if you do  :P

[Andy Borris]

I think you may be right, I was hoping for a better paint finish, but I'm sure the masking line won't really notice.

Perhaps i'm getting a bit anal over this ;D!

Andy

[Fuzzy Harris]

you wont see a masking line if your carefull  :)

[DJB_Harvey]

If in any doubt I'd mask off gutter trims , likes been said there's very little chance of corrosion behind and a VERY big chance you will damage them .... I've seen professionals struggle with them ! Leave them alone .... Dave