I'm in the process of removing my side trim to de-anodize the aluminum and shine all the pieces. For the belt line pieces, how do you remove and more importantly re-install the black rubber strips? I want to take them out so I don't damage them when I immerse the parts in NaOH solution. Thanks for the help!

 

Ive never removed one yet but have pushed them back in when popped out they look like a fat T and the two lips are a friction fit not sure if theres glue in there or not and theres also a screw in the back side, If your not in a hurry I have a few dented spare peices I could check for ya.

 

there is a few screws in the back side of it. and also a t lip type of thing. If they are anything like mine when i took them apart they will shrink a little when then are removed. It was kinda a pain to stretch back into place but it can be done

 

Soak the puppies in hot water before reinstalling, that will make them more pliable.

If you're referring to the upper side mouldings, these black inserts are vinyl, not rubber. Were not available by themselves, only furnished with the mouldings.

Belt line: Where the weatherstrips that are located at the inside/outside of the door glass fit, called 'anti-rattle' w/strips by some peeps.

Be aware that once you remove the anodizing, you have to keep on polishing the mouldings forever! If not, the aluminum will turn gray and begin to corrode within a short time.

This will occur much faster if you live along a sea coast where salty air/salty marine layer is present.

 

Thanks Number-Dummy: I am referring to the molding that is positioned about midway up the door/bed of the truck. Soaking in hot water might make them pliable enough to press them back into the channel. I was also thinking a little soapy water might help them slide into place? I removed them from a dented pratice piece by unscrewing the back and them just peeling them out.

I know once the anodizing is removed it becomes a constant task of polishing- but I hate the blotchy dull look now. It doesn't substantially weaken the pieces to strip them and keep polishing, does it? I planned to shine them up and spray paint clear coat over them. Some day I may even have them re-anodized if it isn't too expensive (as all new trim is ~$500, no reason to re-coat old trim if it almost that much).

 

1973/79 F100/350: Upper side moulding are installed in the horizontal concave section of the sheet metal. Concave: Where the term "Dentside" comes from.

The clear coat paint will only last for awhile (a lot shorter time if you apply wax on it containing silicone!), so you'll have to apply it again. No EZ task when the mouldings are on the truck.

Do not use clear lacquer, cuz it has a nasty habit of turning brown within a few years.