F-1 hood trim installation tool

[atch]

1948 F-1 hood trim

clips:
(shown below)


I've been trying to reinstall my (recently polished) hood side spears using new clips from Dennis Carpenter.

I've been told that someone makes a tool to compress these clips to facilitate installation. Does anyone know what it's called or who makes it or where to get one?

tia

 

[Bruce_MO]

Atch,
I’ve simply pushed or struck the stainless piece with the heel of my hand to install them. I’ve always been careful to ensure the clip is indeed entering the hole in the sheetmetal, then give it a firm hit. I wouldn’t use a rubber mallet, because I’m sure it could dent the stainless. I could see using hog ring pliers to compress the clips to remove them, but they won’t work for installation. I’ve never seen any form of installation tool. Some light lubrication might help, or pulling the tails of the clips thru the hole with needle-nose pliers might help if you can get to the backside easily. Good luck

 

[Kube]

The clips should slide in one end of the trim. Slide them in to the proper location.

I tend to get a helper to apply a little pressure from above and pull the clips through from the bottom with a plier.
Pounding them in from the top, there is a chance you will put a "ding" in the trim.
I'd done that on freshly restored trim. That's why I would never "pound" another piece.

 

[Newc]

Plastic trim tools at Harbor freight? Newc

 

[Ggmac]

I use the palm of my hand also . I grease up each hole in the hood incase any paint chips off . Recently I’ve modified a pair of regular pliers by cutting a small groove in each side and slightly squeeze the nubs together . It seems the newest production of the clips are alittle stronger , or I’ve gotten weaker ( probably)
Gary

 

[atch]

Thanks for your time in answering. However,

1. I've heard too many horror stories of denting the trim with your hand or rubber mallet,
2. these clips are WAY too stout to just push in,
3. they don't stick in far enough to grasp them from the other side with pliers.

While in town yesterday I purchased a very small set of welding clamps (not my pic; stolen from web). I'm going to remove the rivets holding the pads on and do some grinding on the remaining tips. If it works I'll post pix.