Installing clips to hold stainless onto quarters

[terry_208]

I'm having trouble installing the rectangular clips into the square holes on the quarter panels.  The stainless slips over these clips and is secured to the quarter.

I can get the clips to slip into the holes but can't expand them on the backside.  I can spread the "arms" from the inside except for a couple on each side.
On the og molding clips the arms extended to the outside so one could grip the ends with pliers.  This allowed you to squeeze them spreading the arms on the inside of the panel.  My new clips are from Dennis Carpenter, part number B7A7029144-A.

I'm open to any and all suggestions.  TIA!

[lalessi2]

Sift through these and see if one of these is the same as OEM....

https://www.restorationspecialties.com/search.asp?keyword=moulding+clips

Lynn

[RICH MUISE]

Are your rectangular ones metal? I seem to remember the clips I used were metal only for the threaded stud ones, and the rectangular push in ones were plastic. I had no problems.

or:

Are the holes not rectangular so you can slip the clips in, then rotate them 90 degrees.??

[Ford Blue blood]

Got mine from Jerry's, worked perfect and installed as expected into the square holes.  No idea where or who made them but they were far superior to the Carpenter clips!

www.jerrysclassiccars.com

[terry_208]

On the og, 50's clips, installation was accomplished by pinching the ends protruding near the holes.  This levers the interior protrusions and spreads them, thus securing the clip to the car. 

The new metal clips that I have, don't protrude enough to allow leverage to expand the interior parts.

The first picture is of the stainless clip, front with yellow tape and back w/o. the second shows the door garnish molding clip.  The garnish clip extends to the outside more so it can be squeezed together and expand the backside behind the panel.

I hope this helps to explain this.

Thanks for the replies and help.  I really appreciate it!

[lalessi2]

It appears to me from the pics that carefully adjusted vice grips would do the trick?

Lynn

[terry_208]

I've tried using slip joint, electrician's, channel locks, and tire chain pliers but NOT vice grips. I'll attempt them today.

Thanks for the observation Lynn!

[terry_208]

Great news, for me anyway!

Today, I was able to install some of the clips.  I had previously failed using wire cutters, aka dykes, without success.  Today, I took the largest dykes that I have and was able to get three of the clips secured.  I was afraid they might cut rather than squeeze, but they seemed to have worked.  I now have eleven more to install.

Thanks for the suggestions they all helped!