Chrome trim to doors
- colonel mustard
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 572
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2019 2:57 pm
- Location: Derbyshire, UK
- Contact:
Chrome trim to doors
Is there a sequence that I need the adhere to when installing the upper and lower chrome trims? Can the lower be installed before the upper? Also can these be installed after the channels and glass has been installed?
Thanks
Thanks
- Highnumbers
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 722
- Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:26 am
- Location: California, USA
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: Chrome trim to doors
I'm fairly sure they can be installed in either sequence.
I put the chrome upper trim on first, and didn't slide it over the rivets, I held it in place, over one edge of the rivet and gave a firm tap with my palm, and it popped into place. The lower trim still slides into place, no problem.
I would assume the lower trim needs to go on before the glass and channels, but haven't gotten that far yet.
I put the chrome upper trim on first, and didn't slide it over the rivets, I held it in place, over one edge of the rivet and gave a firm tap with my palm, and it popped into place. The lower trim still slides into place, no problem.
I would assume the lower trim needs to go on before the glass and channels, but haven't gotten that far yet.
-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 3921
- Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 5:55 pm
- Location: South Wales
- Has thanked: 18 times
- Been thanked: 51 times
Re: Chrome trim to doors
I would fit the lower trim clips in before the channels, mainly to do a decent job of sealing it all. In the past I've fitted them last I must admit.
-
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 593
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:51 pm
- Location: west country
- Been thanked: 52 times
Re: Chrome trim to doors
I found the best way was to fit the clips to the lower chrome rail and then fit that to the door. I had to hammer the tags on the clips flat so that the lower window channel would fit tight to the door.
I tried to use the pop rivet upper clips on the door surround but found the rivets would 'crack' at very low pressure and the result was the clips weren't that tight to the door, and the end of the rivet would protrude into the felt upper window channel. So I drilled out the rivets and only kept the part that held the trim and bolted them tight to the door with some M3 button head bolts.
When I had both the trims fitted to the doors I then fitted the upper felt channel and the glass and lower channel etc.
I tried to use the pop rivet upper clips on the door surround but found the rivets would 'crack' at very low pressure and the result was the clips weren't that tight to the door, and the end of the rivet would protrude into the felt upper window channel. So I drilled out the rivets and only kept the part that held the trim and bolted them tight to the door with some M3 button head bolts.
When I had both the trims fitted to the doors I then fitted the upper felt channel and the glass and lower channel etc.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- IAIN
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 1090
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 3:40 pm
- Location: Scotland
Re: Chrome trim to doors
I have just carried out this job on a car putting in door windows fitting the stainless trims must be the second worst job second to dash rail covering.
I was about to say the same as 1071bob expertly has, the clips need flattened. The lower trim will come on and off with the upper trim in place, but would be best fitted first.
I would recommend fitting the door trims before the windows, if you had to remove a rivet you won't damage the window channel.
1071bob, Is that a cup you have fitted at the bottom of the door top frame ? I have only seen the washer type retaining clip at the bottom and the cup type clip around the frame.
I was about to say the same as 1071bob expertly has, the clips need flattened. The lower trim will come on and off with the upper trim in place, but would be best fitted first.
I would recommend fitting the door trims before the windows, if you had to remove a rivet you won't damage the window channel.
1071bob, Is that a cup you have fitted at the bottom of the door top frame ? I have only seen the washer type retaining clip at the bottom and the cup type clip around the frame.
-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 2936
- Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 12:22 pm
- Location: Silverstone not far away
- Has thanked: 38 times
- Been thanked: 52 times
Re: Chrome trim to doors
Yes i have had a fight with several of these Trims during past years .. my last solution was to only use 2x Clip clips on the lower Trim Rail just to ensure the correct positioning plus to also then add some sort of sealant into the channel that when sealant is dry all holds in position firm.. .. i then use a soft none dry body seal between the door frame & the sliding glass window channel again to try to stop water ingress.
Car has not been out in the wet as yet so we will wait & see if my fix works
The Top Trim Pop Rivets i find stick out inwards just enough proud & stop the Top Window channels sitting flush with the Door Frame.. well this was in my case others may differ.
My solution was a slight drill indent into the Top window track seal .. purpose to let that seal sit against the Door Frame without any gap.. all in all a sod of a job
Car has not been out in the wet as yet so we will wait & see if my fix works

The Top Trim Pop Rivets i find stick out inwards just enough proud & stop the Top Window channels sitting flush with the Door Frame.. well this was in my case others may differ.
My solution was a slight drill indent into the Top window track seal .. purpose to let that seal sit against the Door Frame without any gap.. all in all a sod of a job

-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 3077
- Joined: Sat May 24, 2014 7:12 am
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 55 times
Re: Chrome trim to doors
Just in case someone would like to see an original door with the clips still in place.
This is one of the doors off my vintage race mini.
Might be of some reference for others.
This is one of the doors off my vintage race mini.
Might be of some reference for others.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- colonel mustard
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 572
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2019 2:57 pm
- Location: Derbyshire, UK
- Contact:
Re: Chrome trim to doors
Many thanks all,
So...
Looks like I have to pre-drill and either rivet or install m3 style (like Bob’s suggestion) to the upper door frame to accept the chrome trim (mark these up when I have got the trim)
Once riveted (Or bolted) and lower chrome clips installed, install the inner chrome upper and lower rails
Install internal chrome trim along with felt channels
Install glazing
Assume the glazing can installed similar way to secondary glazing channels, ie push up and drop Into lower channel?
Thanks
So...
Looks like I have to pre-drill and either rivet or install m3 style (like Bob’s suggestion) to the upper door frame to accept the chrome trim (mark these up when I have got the trim)
Once riveted (Or bolted) and lower chrome clips installed, install the inner chrome upper and lower rails
Install internal chrome trim along with felt channels
Install glazing
Assume the glazing can installed similar way to secondary glazing channels, ie push up and drop Into lower channel?
Thanks
Last edited by colonel mustard on Sat May 30, 2020 5:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- colonel mustard
- 998 Cooper
- Posts: 572
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2019 2:57 pm
- Location: Derbyshire, UK
- Contact:
Re: Chrome trim to doors
Have to say I like the M3 bolt idea!
Right, on the hunt for some upper trims as the inherited box of goodies did not have these. I know minispares have one of the sides in stock, the other on back order, similar story at somerford, anyone else worth going to?
( also bullmotif have none!)
Right, on the hunt for some upper trims as the inherited box of goodies did not have these. I know minispares have one of the sides in stock, the other on back order, similar story at somerford, anyone else worth going to?
( also bullmotif have none!)
-
- 1275 Cooper S
- Posts: 3921
- Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 5:55 pm
- Location: South Wales
- Has thanked: 18 times
- Been thanked: 51 times
Re: Chrome trim to doors
Ah Dermot beat me to it - but here's my originals too 

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.