An Accessory That Looks Good & Works

[steelblue5505]

Thought I’d pass on some info about an accessory that not only looks great it really works. It might be a good accessory for you too.
Early this Fall I installed on my car the ¾ inch wide Stainless Steel HT top trim kit along with the door sill trim kit. I did this because my Bird is our daily driver. Our HT goes on in late October and comes off in early March. I got this dual kit from Thunderbird Specialties.
I have tried all the ideas presented here on TBN to cut down on the rattles, road noise & paint abrasion caused by the HT. All of them from open cell foam weather stripping to the Mylar Ford use to offer to the use of silicone based grease. Nothing really works well nor does it usually last through the winter months.

The HT has now been on the car a full month and I have to say this accessory is doing all that it is designed to do. The rattles are gone the road noise is gone and I suspect no abrasion marks on the paint since the HT rests on the SS. The addition of the high polish stainless steel trim on the door sills seems to merge with the HT trim making the whole visual a nice appearance.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Same thing I have on Black Beauty. The hard top trim is still available but not the door sills...

[007Cruiser]

I wouldn’t worry about further scratches. I have the narrower version and even that does the trick.

[RBIRD]

Where did you find it, Mike?

ps No, I have not given up on our little lighting project, just been too busy!

Bob

[wcoates]

Mike agree, I used the pieces under the top and am happy with the result. Didn't buy the pieces that extended to the top of the door. Regret that bad decision. Would buy if they were available.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Bill..QAA made all those pieces, but no more..who was it that said parts are still available?

[ROGERDMILLS]

Are you sure it's not still available??

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Roger for example they do not have the 'deluxe' door sill trim available any more

[IdahoBob]

Mike, did you use the QAA trim set? Any tips for aligning the strips correctly?

Thanks for the idea!

Bob

[steelblue5505]

No I did not use QAA . What I have is one kit, contains 5 pieces. One piece for each door, goes from front or lead edge of the door under the rear view mirror (there is a cut out for the mirror arm) to the rear edge of the door. There are two pieces that go from the door opening, along the soft top pocket curve & stop at the rubber gasket between the rear quarter panel & the panel that holds the 3rd brake light. The 5th piece is the piece that goes along the entire soft top pocket. Doing this makes the appearance complete and trims out the cabin very nicely.

As for tips: the pieces are very well cut & fit exactly to the edge of the soft top pocket. I don't think which piece you start with would make a difference. The pieces are very precise to where & how they fit, they can be placed on the car in any order.
What I would suggest is that one does not peel the backing off the tape all at once, but instead peel it off as the SS piece is laid into place. The reason why I say this that the 3M tape is made to stick and once stuck is where it will be. Any attempt to pull the SS piece back up from being stuck will probably bend the piece.
A slow & cautious approach is best & most rewarding.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Mike that's the trim I've got on Black Beauty

[IdahoBob]

Thanks Mike for the additional details. I missed the source for your kit.

Bob

[steelblue5505]

Bob
come on over & take a look at the trim kit, then you can see for yourself how it appears & whether it is for you or not.

[FatMan]

Hello Mike,
Do you know who made the kit you have, and where did it come from ?

[steelblue5505]

The Trim Kit for the HT & Door Sills I installed on my car are from Thunderbird Specialties.
Look in their exterior trim section.