Windscreen chrome trim

[BodsMk1]

Hello, could someone recomend a supplier of the chrome insert for the windscreen rubbers for my mk1 GT6, ive been told that its pretty naf quality stuff and was wondering if anyone has used what they thought was good quality. cheers all

[migntig]

Bods,
if it's the 'T' section stuff, I bought some from Rarebits 4 classics. I have had 2 lots, one roll for my GT6 rear screen (about 4 years ago) and again for my Spit hardtop. It was easy to fit and has kept its finish very well. Be advised though, it does shrink over time. Apparently this can't be avoided.
Steve.

[Fizzy]

ahhhh, that would explain why the inch wide gap came from on mine. i was pretty sure i hadnt left it there, and i never got hold of the finisher piece to cover it. mines been out about 18 months, and it would appear shrinking is the cause for the gap. i got mine from rarebits aswell, its kept its finish perfectly, and my car is left out on the drive all year round.

[Velocita Rosso]

TD Fitchetts

[heraldcoupe]

The finisher shrinks continuously, it's a fact of life and happened with the original stuff fitted from the factory!

When installing, I always recommend fitting the trim with at least a couple of inches overlapping, then leaving it overnight at least (preferably a couple of days) then trimming it back so it's a butt join. Then slip the joint cover piece into place and re-seat the ends.

A new trim should give a couple of years service before shrinking excessively if it's butted together properly, but it should ultimately be treated as a consumable. I've owned unmolested cars where the original finisher is still in place, with a gap up to 12" wide between the ends! By thos time though any brightness was long gone, just powdry white plastic....

Cheers,
Bill.

[drofgum]

Hi All,
My trick with this trim is to install with a tight joint and let it shrink. When the gap gets larger than the finisher clip I install a short section of the left-over trim and a second finisher clip.
On a related topic for those who have Mk1 and Mk2 Spitfires. Install the trim with the joint at the bottom; as then one is less likely to lose the finisher clip by knocking it loose when raising the hood.
                                                                                    Cheers,
                                                                                    Paul

[greenbonnie]

even better fit stainless steel trim they are still about.but need to look hard. i got lucky. got a set of stainless trim for £8 at a restoration show. i dont think the guy knew the true vallue. the spit looks good with this on

[heraldcoupe]

572 wrote:

even better fit stainless steel trim they are still about.but need to look hard. i got lucky. got a set of stainless trim for £8 at a restoration show. i dont think the guy knew the true vallue. the spit looks good with this on

Stainless trims were never available in the 'T' profile for the Mk1 & 2 GT6 or Mk1-3 Spitfire. The stainless trims were 'C' profile, used only on early GT6 Mk3 and Spitfire MkIV.

The 'T' profile was produced in anodised aluminium, but only to fit the earliest examples of the Herald 1200 and Vitesse 6 - it was obsolete by 1964. While I won't say it's impossible to modify this to fit the Spitfire/GT6 screen seal, it's horrible stuff to reshape when there is minor distortion, straightening then moving the formed corners sounds like a bundle of fun......

Cheers,
Bill.

[greenbonnie]

hi bill sorry forgot to mention my car is a mk4 spit. the ones i have are stainless steel. and fit perfect. glad i was in the right place at right time. pete

[junkuser]

Bill,
     Did the "Mk1" Spitfire also have the aluminium trim?

My early Australian assembled one has but can't say this is original as I don't know the car's history prior to my purchase in 1976.

[heraldcoupe]

junkuser wrote:

Did the "Mk1" Spitfire also have the aluminium trim?

The Spitfire 4 was introduced in the period when aluminium trims were being manufactured for the Vitesse and Herald, so it could realistically have been made for the Spitfire 4 as well. Same raw profile, but formed to fit the Spitfire's smaller windscreen. I can't get to my early Spitfire parts list, but there would be different part numbers if an alloy trim was used on the earliest cars, so it should be easy enough to check.

Cheers,
Bill.

[firebobby]

I have just removed the trim from the front screen on my car, i would say that this is the original factory fit. My trim is in 2 halfs and has cover clips top and bottom, the gaps were about 1/2", so these had not shrunk as bad as some on here.

I had to remove the front screen as well, as i noticed a tiny rust hole by the top of the rubber, now removed it looks like i will have to replace some parts of the screen surround along the top.
I will visit Spitbitz near Reading in the morning to see if i can buy repair parts or remove a good section from one of their breakers

[junkuser]

Maybe BodsMk1 could try to get a second hand Spit 4 set, assuming the GT6 Mk1 screen is the same shape.

[drofgum]

Rarebits,
I have looked in my parts manual and it lists 806177 and 806178 as separate left and right alternatives to 613954 for Spitfire Mks 1 & 2. 806177 & 806178 are only described as "moulding", but 613954 is described as "plastic moulding". So, it is not definite but it appears possible that there were aluminium trim mouldings fitted in early Spitfire production.
                                                                  Cheers,
                                                                  Paul

[heraldcoupe]

1317 wrote:

I have looked in my parts manual and it lists 806177 and 806178 as separate left and right alternatives to 613954 for Spitfire Mks 1 & 2. 806177 & 806178 are only described as "moulding", but 613954 is described as "plastic moulding". So, it is not definite but it appears possible that there were aluminium trim mouldings fitted in early Spitfire production.

I would treat that as pretty conclusive. The only surprise is that it lists the early trims for the Mk2 as well! That's much later than I would expect,

Cheers,
Bill.

[drofgum]

Rarebits,
The Mk 1 & 2 parts manual doesn't give a commission number break where the part would have changed, but I suspect that the alloy pieces would only have been used on Mk1 Spitfires. As the windscreen seal didn't change either trim would fit any car. My Mk 3 parts manual only lists the plastic trim, so the alloy trim was superceded by then.
                                                                       Cheers,
                                                                       Paul