Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

I'm in the middle of installing the Drip Rails on my '29 Briggs Fordor Leatherback. The inner portions are nailed onto the car. The outers are cut to length, custom bent to the contour of the car, and painted. Problem is I cannot seem to snap the outers onto the inners. I tried a smaller section out of the part cut off and that will snap on. It's just that I can't snap the whole length on. Anyone have any tips on snapping this in place?
Thanks

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Rub a little grease on the side (lower) you are needing to snap in and use a dead blow hammer.

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

I was hoping not to pound on nice paint. I’ll have to tape them first. Do they have to snap on all at once or could I start on one end and work my way to the other?

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Grease is good. I used a rubber hammer and started on one end and worked my way across to the other end. Light taps should do it.

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Thanks for the replies. I’ll give it a try this weekend and let you know how it turns out.

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

A rubber or dead blow hammer shouldn't damage the paint and if so that would be an easy area to touch up.

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Don’t try to put the top and bottom on at the same time. Put the top lip on and pull down while gently tapping work your way across. Do not put tape on the painted moulding. Put 3 or 4 layers of masking tape on the face of the hammer head. Taping onto the molding may pull the paint off of it when you peel it off not to mention it might make a sticky mess on the paint that you will have to clean off left by pounding on the tape. I might add that putting tape on the head of a body hammer when trying to tap out small dings and so on “softens” the impressions it will make on the sheet metal and helps to not crack the paint. I have done this for years when hammering on the painted side as well as from the inside like on a dented fender. Works very well. Just take your time.

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Seems obvious when you hear it but I don't think I would ever have thought of it. One of those tricks the experts use. Thanks for the tip.

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Go slowly for a more harmonious outcome. ~Old Sioux saying

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Marc is right. Both edges will not go in at the same time. It does not require a big hit. Just get it started and you will be fine. Rubber mallet, and don't get carried away.

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Nice looking car!!

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Well I got them on. I found it easiest to hook the bottom and tap on the top. Thanks for all the tips. I can’t seem to upload photos from my phone. So I’ll do so when I get to a computer.

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Here's a couple pictures with Drip Rails on. I wish the heads of the spiral trim nails they gave me were a bit thinner as up close you can see a couple dimples in the outer rail. Or maybe I'm just too anal.

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Nice car and nice job.

Re: Drip Rail Won't Snap On
 

Thanks for the compliments.