63 SWC upper/rear door chanel

[Rainer S.]

I just installed the door chanel on both doors and are not happy, how it went.
The chanel is of excellent quality (Paragon). When I tried to push the snaps into their respective holes in the door, they just would not go in easily.
I had to push almost all of them with excessive force and bend the chanel in the process.
Some of the snaps would not go in...
What is the secret in installing them ? I tryed grease, but that did not help.
I may have to purchase a new set, and install them again, if I can't straighten them out enough to look good.
Does anybody have any tips on what to do to get the snaps to go in easily?
I feel, that they snaps are too round, I may have to grind a lead on them, if I will install another set. Unless there is a sure way..

Rainer

[John D.]

Re: 63 SWC upper/rear door chanel

Rainer, I bought some expensive NOS ones for my 63 Coupe and they snapped in perfect. Never tried using the repro ones. Wish you good luck, John

[Frank C.]

Re: 63 SWC upper/rear door chanel

Rainer....both of my early '63s top channels were screwed in obviously a miscommunication between the channel supplier and GM. The clips had been removed during assembly so assembly line didn't stop, they had a 1/4" phillips head screw liked they used on the whiskers. I posed this ???? but never got any replies. I'm talking Sept and Oct cars.....Regards Frank

[Rainer S.]

Re: 63 SWC upper/rear door chanel

My car was a dec 18 1962 car, and the old channels were snapped in. The reproduction ones I used, have similar snaps, but they apear to be more rigid and don't want to bend when you push them in.
I am contemplating to buy new ones (if I can't straighten the installed ones) and use screws like you saw on your cars. Unless I find a set NOS, like John did...
Thanks both of you for your comments.

Rainer

[dean petrucelli]

Re: 63 SWC upper/rear door chanel

rainer
i installed those exact channels in my december built 63 about 5 years ago. i remember it well as the snap were very difficult to snap in. And once they are in, there is not turning back. I was very happy with my install - no bends like you described. the only one i had to work (enlarge the opening) was the lowest side snap where the channel bends to meet the whiskers. i used a dremmel to enlarge the holes so the snap went in easier. I was willing to do this on all holes if necessary - but i was fine. no lube, no hocus pocus - just alot of pushing and praying. - good luck if you try it again. If your not happy - do them over or it will bother you every time you look at it (you;ll quickly forget about the additional $$)

[dean petrucelli]

Re: 63 SWC upper/rear door chanel

rainer,
one more thing. I did use a small piece of wood that i cut to fit within the channel and gave it a pretty good tap with a small hammer. doing one at a time, they took one hit each to go in. hope this helps

dean

[Rainer S.]

Re: 63 SWC upper/rear door chanel

Dean, you are so right, to do it over again. I was thinking the same thing, that it would bother me , if the SS trim would not look straight. And I think, I will never be able to straighten them.
I like your idea, to enlarge the holes a bit. Especially the ones on the bottom, as you described. I could not get EITHER in. One broke right off the channel., and those (2) snaps are the only ones I could actually see. Talking about being frustrated. Also like the idea to use a block to assist.
I will just order a new set and get it over with...
Thanks for your advise...

Rainer

[Howard W.]

Re: 63 SWC upper/rear door chanel

Just did some today. First you should run a strip of tape along the top and down the back side of the window opening. Then mark the location of the holes in the channel on the tape, this will assist in the location of the push pins to the holes, also helps to prevent the bending you get with trying to visably line up the holes. Then starting at the bottom of the rear channel, work your way up and around, We use a flat punch with the wide end in the channel then gently tap the punch to set the pushpin in the hole. When you get to the corner do not push the corner in, but use the handle of the hammer(length wise, not the end) and gently tap the corner to get in in place making sure that the location of the pushpins in the top are still lined up with the holes in the channel. Then tap the pushpins in using the punch. Use patience, this should give you a nice tight fit with no bending of the channel. Good luck

[Rainer S.]

Re: 63 SWC upper/rear door chanel

Thanks, Howard, for an excellent tip on how to install those things.
I like the idea of using and marking the tape. The relative location of the holes and lining up the snaps was a concern , even before I got started.
This installation is one of the few instances, were you can't see the relation ship of the holes to the snaps.
Your suggested way will help a lot...

Rainer