Attaching whiskers to rear quarter trim

[70Bronco]

Any great success stories, best practices, for attaching these pieces?

 

[69bfan]

If your going to use the staples to attach the felts as the factory did, properly position the felt in place with small clamps. Then use a sharp awl to indent the backside of the felt where the original staples pierced the metal frame. Once all of the points have been transferred, remove felt and then secure to a block of wood clamping it securely to the block of wood. Then with the correct size drill bit, drill the holes in the felts. Be care as not to allow the felt to spin and bend. Once all holes are drilled, place the staples in place and then align back onto the panel. Clamp back into position. Then push the staples in tight and bend the tabs over. Time consuming process.

If your not worried about reusing the original holes, then position the felt in place and simply drill the holes through both the felt and frame at the same time. By going this route, you can use the staples, very small sheet metal screws or pop rivets. If using the screws or pop rivets, once attached, apply a brush stroke of black paint so that they are not as apparent. Some people have actually used trim adhesive cement as well to attach those pieces.

The reason that we do not drill holes in the inner felts is that the originals were installed with no set pattern. So it would be impossible to get any two sets to line up properly.

 

[gdrill]

My kit came with the little screws. Drilled and installed. Not the same as factory, but they seem to fit well.

 

[davek]

thanks guys learn something new today.

 

[70Bronco]

Thanks gdrill and 69bfan.
Small screws or pop rivets—I was thinking along those lines, but wasn’t sure. Sometimes it’s good to confirm you’re on the right track.

 

[gdrill]

A step further. It took me a few minutes but I knew I had 1 screw left over!

 

[70Bronco]

A step further. It took me a few minutes but I knew I had 1 screw left over!

Looks like a #6 - 3/8” sheet metal screw.

 

[70Bronco]

Final note: decided to use 1/8” pop rivets. The result in photos below. Tips—start on one end, work to the other as there is a bow in the whiskers trim piece. Use small vise grips to hold it in place as you drill and rivet each hole. I drilled 5. Dabbed black paint on the heads as 69bfan suggested. Even taking your time, this is a quick and easy job.