37 Buick coupe molding fasteners

[John Jacques]

I am nearing the final stages of restorations to my 37 Buick 46S and seeking information regarding the various molding fasteners. I purchase this project completely disassembled from an estate of a person who passed away. I have search the website of restoration specialist and found that they have just about any kind of fasteners that you may need. But HOW does a person know what to purchase? Especially the nose molding fasteners which are of different sizes because of the taper of the molding. Any information that you could provide would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Jakes

[1937McBuick]

This is what the center nose stainless strip hardware looks like.

I need to make or repair the two smallest.

They call all be made with a bit of effort.

 

Dave Tacheny might have some.   Search his name in this forum for his contact info.

 

Bob's Automobilia(California) or Cars Inc(NewJersey) might have the rest for running board trim and body trim.  As far as those go, Chev or other makes, might be the same also.

[Gary W]

My '37 used three types of molding clips:

1. Studded (like above) that used a #10-24 stud.  EVERY running board trim clip was of this type as was the front most and rear most clips for the hood side molding and the very rear clip for the "trunk" molding, (rear quarter) the strip all the way back.  

2. Push-in style:  These clips have to be able to fit the 3/16" holes in the body.  (Some of the repros were too large at 5/16" and would not work.)  My car had TWO TYPES of "push-in" or "snap-in" molding clips:

     A.  The hood and the doors used the type that has the long spring arm that you snap into position.

     B.  The cowl and trunk (rear quarter) molding used another type snap-in that has a "double rounded" bottom that engages the molding.  

             

 

 

Running board uses ALL the studded type fastener.  I got new SS hardware for mounting.

 

Line up the fastener with the holes and snap them in.  My running board used a #10 - 24  stud and hardware.

 

 

These are the "snap-in" fasteners that were used for the hood and doors only.

(not hood molding first and last, not the rear quarter, not the cowl, not running board)

 

These, once lined up correctly, just require a good push and they snap right into position.

 

 

This is the other type "snap-in" that my car had.  These have the "double rounded" bottom that fits in the molding.

These were used in the cowl and the rear quarter only,  (except the very rear most which was studded).

 

 

They look a lot better cleaned up and painted.

I don't know if all these different fasteners were used by Buick originally, but this type is "wider" so to speak so it fills the body holes more completely.

I mention this because in the Fisher body manual, it notes to seal the trunk molding so no water gets in.

 

 

So I used a permatex black sealant around each of these, and the shape is better for keeping the sealant in place.

 

 

Here's the rear-most studded clip for the rear quarter molding.  Again, suggested to seal the hole like the factory does it.

 

 

So I checked and double-checked that all the clips were properly aligned, used a bit of sealant around the base of the clip and snap her in.

 

Again, this is how my car was assembled, so I replicated the same clip usage. 

 

Hope it helps!

Gary

 

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by Gary W (see edit history)

[John Jacques]

Boy, was I wrong with what I thought that the center nose molding clips looked like. I have spoke to Dave in the past regarding other parts I needed. Think I'll call him again. Thanks for the photos of the clips.

 

This is way I like requesting help from this forum. A lot of very informative people with extensive knowledge. Thank you very much Gary W. for the information regarding the different types of clips based on Buicks, now I know what to search for.

Thanks to all!!!