brown7373

The pinch weld molding came loose last night. We were lining up for a Christmas parade and it was dark. I can't see any obvious way it attached, but it was in the dark. My Bonneville has tabs that get screws to attach it underneath, but I didn't see any tabs.


Does the Cutlass attach the same way?

mrolds69

!969-72 Cutlass attach with screws. I think 1968 used clips + screws. I'm not sure about earlier. Sometimes people use clips on the later cars. Some repro moldings the holes don't line up, so people don't screw them on right.

brown7373

I didn't get a good look last night in the dark, but I didn't see any tabs and screws

mrolds69

You need to put the top half-way down. Then you need an inspection mirror or small handheld mirror to look underneath and see what's there.

brown7373

My original molding had ben riveted. I used a bur bit in a Dremel tool and got them removed fairly easily, but the holes on the new pinchweld from OPGI were no where close to lining up. I will have to drill new holes.


Do most people use screws or rivet them? I had screws on my 70 Bonneville, and years of water caused the phillips heads to rust and corrode and impossible to remove with a screw driver.

mrolds69

Most people use screws. Right...aftermarket moldings don't line up with the holes...not even close. There is a good article on the web for a GTO with pics that shows how to measure for the holes and install the mldgs. I would use screws, your car will most likely never see the kind of weather it once did. Other options are SS screws, torx or hex head screws which would be easier to remove if needed.

brown7373

Thanks. I'll search for the GTO article. I can se where being a little off with drilling the holes could result in a loose or misaligned pinchweld.

mrolds69

Here is the article http://www.carsandparts.com/Articles...-To/in-a-pinch These repro moldings are another example of a poor copy. They are pretty good looking, reasonably priced, they are very similar to originals and attach in a similar way. They are cheaper to buy than sending your own out to be straightened + polished. Why they couldn't get the holes in the same places, I just can't understand! And...it's a huge difference in distance. Ames sells the correct screws, or clips and screws if you go that route.