Drip Rail Won't Snap On

[JC60B]

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

[J Franklin]

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

[JC60B]

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?

[Mike Peters]

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.

[JC60B]

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

[J Franklin]

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

[marc silva]

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.

[Gary Kelley]

Originally Posted by marc silva

Put 3 or 4 layers of masking tape on the face of the hammer head. ... 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.

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.

[700rpm]

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

[Gene F]

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.

[Randy in ca]

Nice looking car!!

[JC60B]

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.

[JC60B]

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.

[J Franklin]

Nice car and nice job.

[JC60B]

Thanks for the compliments.