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[bobhustead]

Can anyone help with the order of installation of chrome fender piping? My panels will be finished at installation. Do I wrap the tabs onto the fenders before fitting or put the tabs into the crack between the loosely bolted fender and the tub/front apron? On the front, I am operating under the delusion that the fenders will go on before the apron and the fender-to-inner wing bolts left loose (or the front ones indeed left out) and the apron will slip neatly between the fenders.
Thanks, Bob Hustead

[TR3driver]

I install the fenders loosely first, then the front apron, then the chrome strips.  The folded tabs just push down inside the seams next to the bolts, so they get pinched when the bolts are snugged up.  Generally there is also some adjustment required to get the best alignment, so tightening each bolt is a bit of a project.

[charley fitch]

I use the same process as Randall with one last item.  When the chrome bead is in  place and you like where it sits, I then go under the fender in the wheel well      (remove the tire for this process) and use a pair of pliers and pull down on and then bend the bead tab to the side and up, so that the bead does not get a chance to pull or slide up on its own.  This can be done on the majority but not all of the tabs.

Also using a set of pliers or vise grips from below works well to pull or hold the tabs in position while setting and tightening them.  A TRA or VTR article a few years ago suggested using masking tape along each side of the slot for the bead.  The tabs have a very sharp edge and often can get away from you and scratch the fenders and nose piece.  The one caveat that I would add is to not put the tape to close to the edge as the bead will contact and ""hold"" the tape in place.  So unless you want little pieces of tape left on the car, leave at least a 1/16" gap to the edge.


Charley 

[bobhustead]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I think i'll use the tape on body parts method and tip the tabs with tape where the tips will be hidden or accessible for removing the tape after installation.
Bob Hustead