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Old 08-10-2019, 04:00 PM   #1
Bob Bidonde
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Default Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

The door upholstery panels for my 190A came with the fasteners in the picture. Aster many attempts, I have been unable to push these clips into the 0.25" diameter holes in the doors. There must be way. Has anyone used these clips successfully?
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File Type: jpg Trim Panel Offset Clip.jpg (17.4 KB, 18 views)
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Old 08-11-2019, 07:09 AM   #2
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

Bob, there are different sizes of those clips. I'll try to remember to look at the part number for the ones we use tomorrow.
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Old 08-11-2019, 12:57 PM   #3
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

I have a 31 Tudor and had the same problem. I had to use two needle nose plyers to reshape the angle of the clips so they would slide in some holes. Also, in the top half of the doors the clips were too long and would hit the window channels before setting solidly and then pop out easily. A previous owner had the same problem and fully glued the door panels in place to hold the clips. I ruined the door panels taking them apart while trying to cut through the solid glue bond all the way around the panel.

Your clips may bottom out before they set.

When putting new panels and clips on I cut the new clips shorter with a cutoff wheel. I learned to stick a screwdriver in the 1/4 inch hole to measure the depth of clearance available and then cut the clips to fit and reshaped if necessary.

The clips I have look like your picture and were from a known supplier. I just assumed they were multi fit. I put some grease on some clips and got them in with a good tap of a hammer on a wood block.
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Old 08-11-2019, 04:48 PM   #4
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

Bob and his coupe were "A of the day" on the MAFCA site earlier today.
Paul in CT
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Old 08-11-2019, 07:37 PM   #5
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

I have had the same problem with my 46 and my 30 with the reproductions. They seem to be heavier and hard to insert. At the suggestion, of a friend, I went back with Velcro strips. Worked perfectly so I did both cars this way.
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Old 08-12-2019, 12:58 PM   #6
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

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This is what we use. Repro on the left and original on the right.











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Old 08-12-2019, 01:47 PM   #7
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

I save every orig. clip like Brents orig. I find. Auveco orig. clips are getting had to find especially for other makes of cars. See pg 129, clip 3887J, Restoration Specialties. The flatter head doesn't project thru the upholst covering as much as others. Check your panel thicknesses and hole offsets to be sure of fitment.
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Old 08-12-2019, 01:57 PM   #8
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

It is quite untraditional, but if the biggest concern is fitment and not originality, I bought a kit of upholstery panel clips from my local auto store (mom and pop type, not franchise). They were plastic but there were many varieties. Kit had enough parts to do about 4 cars and I think I paid less than $20 for it.
'cliffs auto parts', may be able to find them online.
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Old 08-13-2019, 02:21 PM   #9
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

Brent,

Please tell us the company name on the label in your post 6 photo. Flash washed it out.

Thanks
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Old 08-13-2019, 02:51 PM   #10
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

Slightly off subject: What kind of tool do you use to take your door panels off?
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Old 08-13-2019, 03:15 PM   #11
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

Tool for 70s GM plastic clips might work here. I used this tool a lot on these cars.

https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-a...ool/104050_0_0

Here are plastic GM/Ford clips from 70s.

Look close at photo: note shape of "head".

They "twist fit" in a round or an oblong hole in the door panel.

https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Do...pas1024-25.htm

Used on 79 Chevy door inside door panels.

Last edited by Benson; 08-13-2019 at 03:48 PM.
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Old 08-13-2019, 03:41 PM   #12
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

Quote:
Originally Posted by Benson View Post
Brent,

Please tell us the company name on the label in your post 6 photo. Flash washed it out.

Thanks


Au-Ve-Co


Their 11406 is the closest to original however I have found you need to replicate the T slot like original for those to work the best. The ones I listed above work fine.
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Old 08-13-2019, 04:09 PM   #13
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

Quote:
Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C View Post
Au-Ve-Co


Their 11406 is the closest to original however I have found you need to replicate the T slot like original for those to work the best. The ones I listed above work fine.
I use what Brent posted (on the right) They come with a metal cap pressed on. I take side cutters and peel the top off and it looks exactly the same.
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Old 08-28-2019, 08:38 AM   #14
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

Brent, thanks for the info about the clips.


I already have a few bags of clips in hand, so I need to make them work. My solution is in the attached sketch.
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Old 08-28-2019, 08:52 AM   #15
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

Quote:
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I use what Brent posted (on the right) They come with a metal cap pressed on. I take side cutters and peel the top off and it looks exactly the same.
These may be what you are referencing?


https://www.modelaparts.com/a46126
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Old 08-28-2019, 10:11 AM   #16
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

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Brent, thanks for the info about the clips.


I already have a few bags of clips in hand, so I need to make them work. My solution is in the attached sketch.

Just one of the many reasons why it takes so long to restore a car correctly. It's the stuff that people never see -or know about.
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Old 08-28-2019, 10:19 AM   #17
Bob Bidonde
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

Brent, you hit the nail on the head. Making stuff work is not only a time consumer, but in some cases its expensive too. If you cannot solve problems, restoring a Model "A" is not doable!
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Old 08-28-2019, 10:53 AM   #18
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde View Post
Brent, you hit the nail on the head. Making stuff work is not only a time consumer, but in some cases its expensive too. If you cannot solve problems, restoring a Model "A" is not doable!
Amen to that!
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Old 08-28-2019, 11:32 AM   #19
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

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Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C View Post
Au-Ve-Co


Their 11406 is the closest to original however I have found you need to replicate the T slot like original for those to work the best. The ones I listed above work fine.

Brent,

thank you for the name.
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Old 08-28-2019, 06:23 PM   #20
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Default Re: Upholstery Clips - Need Advice

The best tool I've used to date for all sorts of trim clips in the Blue Point YA331. Blue Point is Snap On's foreign made line. It pulls the things pretty much straight out but you have to be certain it is squarely under the head of the clip before you squeeze on it. Here is a link:
https://www.ebay.com/p/Blue-Point-Sn...331/1325080148
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