Help Please... How do you install Rubber Trim below the doors?

[David Borden]

Putting my 74 911S back together after paint and am having trouble installing the large rubber trim (that appears to slide on) and runs the length of the body below the doors.

I can get it on about 4 inches and it stops. I was thinking some sort of lubricant, but not sure what to use that wont damage the paint or attract moisture.

Im stuck and frustrated, any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

David

[KNS]

You can try some dish soap and water but I used some McQuires rubber dressing and it slid right on.

[john walker's workshop]

i never had any luck just sliding it on. set the lower edge lip into the rocker slot and work the upper lip in with a screwdriver a 1/4" at a time.

[Jesset100]

Don't pull it, push it.

[burgermeister]

I used talcum powder & pulled/pushed it on. One side went easy, other took about 1/2 hour of work. Cleaning all the grit from inside the molding also helps.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Silicone in a spraycan--intended for sticky dresser drawers and the like--can work wonders.

[docrodg]

+1 on the dishsoap.

[CBRacerX]

CLEAN everything and apply Silicone in a spraycan liberally. Push it through quick and, whew, all done.

[911pcars]

There's a method shown in the factory repair manual. The trick is bend the deco rubber almost 180º (groove to the outside). This new shape widens the groove so it can slip into the metal channel. Repeat this the entire length of the deco strip.

Rubber lube, silicone spray and/or soap also help this process.

Sherwood

[snbush67]

KY ... seriously, it works.

[sig_a]

all these suggestions are good. just keep at it. first time diy on these cars always takes two or three times as long before you get the hang. clean and lube with NAPA Glide works for me. complete cleaning is key, which is a good thing.

[wilke3169]

When I was reinstalling my rockers covers, the rubber portion, I went to parts store looking for a lubricant. Happened to be a young girl working and as I described what I was tring to do she looked me in the eye and said, "you know what will work, they sell it at the CVS across the street."
Worked like a charm and water washes it right away. Brand is your choice of course.

[Laneco]

We've got an old bottle of cable lube. Electricians use it to pull wires/cables through a tight chase. Clean the tracks flawlessly, lube it up and push them through. I've always had better luck pushing than pulling.

I've also put them on by seating them on one lower side and using a windshield rubber tool (they are a plastic so they don't tear/scratch) and maneuvering the upper side in bit by bit (sounds like JW's system as well).

Both work, but I have to say the "personal lubricant" system mentioned above might actually be the best. Besides, imagine the look on the cashier's face when you ask if the product can be bought by the quart!

angela

[bob deluke]

I had the same problem with my 77 targa's deco trim. Broke my a#@ trying to push/pull the rubber through the slots, used soap, rubber lube to no avail. Finally looked at the rails the rubber slides into. Opened them a bit,very carefully with a wide bladed stiff putty knife. Rubber slid right in with a little lube, then took a rubber mallet with a wooden block and gently tapped the rubber strip against the aluminum rails. Worked great, no busted knuckles or other precious body parts were hurt in this exercise....

[David Borden]

Thanks Guys! Great advice... I'll give it a go and report back.

Man the 'personal lubricant' stories are killin me ...

David