I have found something that is a lot better then the chrome pinstripe tape that has been used to replace the chrome strip in the body side moldings on 87 cougars and T-Birds etc. It is made by Cowles Products and called Custom Chrome. It is 1/2 wide flexible molding with 3M automotive attachment tape part # S37750. It is very easy to put on and it sticks, not like the chrome tape that does not stick very well at all.
I found it at Pep Boys for about $15.00 for 18 feet. Pep Boys part # is the same S37750.
I have used it on two pieces of molding I picked up at the junk yard.
The molding was in good shape, but it was all white. I removed the metal strips on the back and painted it trim black from NAPA and used the Custom Chrome to make the chrome stripe on the molding.
Looks real good. Hope this might help.
Got a Pic?
I have not yet taken any pictures, but I will have some this coming week.
I have found through use that the quality of these flexible adhesive chrome moldings is not that good. After about 6 months to a year they start bubbling and separating especially around corner bends which requires constant replacement on a regular basis.
I am going to try to put a few pictures in an attachment to this thread. I also used some Permatex silicone adhesive/sealant (Black) to fill in around the edges of the chrome strip. I had to try something to try to get the molding to look like the rest on the car, because I was missing two section on the drivers side. I will let everyone know if it works in the long run. When the weather gets better I will put it on the car.
The "chrome" looks a bit wrinkley to me or is it a protective cover?
Does the chrome strip come out the side molding,or is this chrome you're speaking of act as an overlay?Either way,I like it.That's the one and only thing keeping me from installing replacement side molding.Nothing nice to be had.
The pictures are not real good that I posted. The chrome is smooth and the molding looks a lot better then in the pictures. The chrome strip lays on top of the original strip. It does sit higher than the original, but it is even with the main molding. I did fill in the edges where the chrome mets the black molding with black permatex silicone to decrease the depth of the area around the strip and the molding.
You can not tell the difference from the original once it is on the car. So far I am very pleased with the outcome.
BEHOLD:
(http://web.archive.org/web/20070523194043/http://www.aerobirdmotorsports.com/sitebuilder/images/IM003345-407x303.jpg)
It comes from here:
http://www.precisiontriminc.com/
I believe it's gonna be the stuff listed as 7/16" -- the 200 series -- on the following page:
http://www.precisiontriminc.com/prod01.htm
They even have some installation instructions:
http://www.precisiontriminc.com/prod05.htm
Contact info:
Contact Information
Telephone
256-593-2346
800-243-4402 FAX
256-593-2349
Postal address
P.O. Box 644
Boaz, AL 35957
Ship to Address:
507 Henderson Road
Boaz, AL 35957
According to a certain someone's web page that does not exist anymore:
Hope this helps ;)
The chrome strips that I used was Custom Chrome # S37750 made by Cowles Products Co. out of New Haven Ct. and it is 1/2 inches wide. Their products can be found at their web site http://www.cowlesproducts.com. Click on browse in retail then click on Chrome Accessorizing Molding.
This info will come in handy when I get ready to put mouldings back on my Bird. I have no hopes of finding factory mouldings in good shape plus I have an alignment issue using the 87-88 nose on my 84 car, so I am thinking of keeping the mouldings minimalistic and likely limited to the areas on the bodysides between the wheels. With my alignment issue, it would either be a mismatch at the front bumper cover or the rear. The mismatch at the rear may be easier to live with.
If you ever come across a TC bumper cover, they wrap all the way to the wheel well, might solve some of the misalignment. :D Now back to your regularly scheduled topic.
adding to the knowledge base.............
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=24744&page=2