Versailles trim screws

[doneaton]

Hi Guys The Vinyl trim across the top of the trunk lid.....2 screws one on each side & about 4 clips hold this in place.. My screws are missing does anyone know the size of these tiny screws? Are the clips available? Also can I get vinyl spray or any paint mixed to Ford colors? Don.....

[Jeff Roblin]

Shouldn't be a problem having paint mixed. I've had individual panels painted on DA MERC with great success.

Are you trying to match steel or vinyl, Don? I've seen special vinyl paints at the flea markets which can be made to match any vinyl colour - it's used a lot by the import enthusiasts who change the interior colours by painting.

[hipogranada]

We had interior color mixed for Henrik's '77-1/2 when he was here in June, got it at a local auto body paint supply shop. They had to do a little digging to find the formula but it was available.

admin said:

Shouldn't be a problem having paint mixed. I've had individual panels painted on DA MERC with great success.

Are you trying to match steel or vinyl, Don? I've seen special vinyl paints at the flea markets which can be made to match any vinyl colour - it's used a lot by the import enthusiasts who change the interior colours by painting.

[jhkaster]

That trim piece on the trunk should be covered in vinyl. So, if the vinyl is in good shape, you can probably just match the paint and spray it. If not, another option would be to order a very small amount of original vinyl to recover that trim piece. Several places like SMS or Original Auto Interiors probably have NOS sold by the yard.

[doneaton]

Yes the piece is covered the vinyl is in pretty good shape, I need to stretch it a little bit& glue it to the metal at one end. The small screws are missing that holds the metal to the trunk,I suppose a couple of #8 or #6 small sheet metal screws will hold it in place....Don

[robic58]

HI DON-
Just had a look at my "project" Versailles- On mine it looks like the screews would be #6 - screws- about 7/16 long with a
broad flange head(phillips). By broad flange, I mean it looks like a washer bonded to the screw head. They are obviously car manufacturers screws. Your local auto supply store can no doubt supply them, Also the Canadian tire store's "HELP " brand -packaged goods- could have 'em. While I don't think much of the "HELP" brand quality, these are not critical components.
I'll have to replace the vinyl covering on mine, shriveled in the sun, I think.
Are you going to run the Versailles in the Ontario winter?.
Cheers, Ralph
P.S. James- Tks for the lead on the vinyl covering(s).

[doneaton]

Thanks Ralph..It looks like I will run the versy this winter.Ill put it in for undercoating next week..I have a rear light assembly comming from Bill.I will have to see to rear springs over the winter. I guess I'll just keep picking away until its the way I want it.. By the way my son in law is Kurgan (wwf) lives in ste marie de kent.We will likely be down next summer...Don

[robic58]

Hey Don-
Will be looking for you next summer... be sure to let me know well in advance...
Anyway, your post on trunk lid vinyl covered edge moulding reminded me of how bad mine looked.
Vinyl all rumpled,cracked, and torn. I removed it today .
The attaching screws are actually only 5/16 " long., as well as 6 clips.. I have five, one missing....
Obviously, the way to do it "right" is as James Kaster recommends.
But, since I have no desire to make my Versailles a "show" piece but just a decent looking old car.
I decided I'd do something.
I had in my box of "miracle makers" a small roll of what was used to be called "Mending tape" army green in colour-
used to patch knapsacks,duffle bags,& suit cases.
It's a fibre woven vinyl covered adhesive tape , not unlike
Red/Green's duct tape but about 50% heavier in consistency.
Well, I tried it and it stuck rather well to the aluminum which I cleaned with acetone,and rinsed off.
There was just enough stretch and flex to this tape to be able to follw the arc of the moulding.
I did have very minor creases ,due mostly to my carelessness ,in setting it to adhere.
My old Versy is "dark Champagne" - a brown-red-black
sort of colour.
Well, there isn't any such colour as your local paint or hardware store.
I decided to experiment. Armed with two aerosol cans of "Krylon" paint-
one semi flat black- the other esspresso brown,
I alternated light coats of paint on this now tape covered moulding, and came up pretty close to the Vinyl roof
colour and the adjacent sail panel mouldings.
I would think it would be harder to approximate your colour, but who knows. Don't know how well it'll hold,though. A couple of pics are attached . Cheers

[doneaton]

Well I took the piece off the trunk & was able to secure the vinyl with contact cement . Its not perfect but it looks finished now.I had a real problem getting the screws in to hold it on solid but that too is ok.I sed a dremel to cut down some spring nuts to use as clips to hold the bottom vinyl in place,I was short a couple clips its all in place & will pass with a push.
Thanks for the info is this a good site or what...... Don

[robic58]

Aaah!!! the sweet smell and pride of success..

Feels good to tidy up something that's annoying, even if the fix
doesn't quite come up to original specs and quality... but the price is `right. I've done lots of that lately,ha!ha!!

Way to go , Don!!!