denty
15-03-2011, 07:07 PM
This wheel arch and sill trim fitted to the earlier Minis can be easily fitted as follows. It clips onto the sill and wheel arch flange easily with a push fit. It will bend round the wheel arch OK as it is but when you come to the tight curve at the bottom you will need to heat it. This is done easily with a hair drier, no need for a heat gun, because only a small amount of heat is required.
Please note that it is important to heat the outside of the bend only. If you apply heat to both sides it will buckle.
Apply a small amount of heat holding the hair drier with one hand and bending the trim with the other hand into the shape you require. Hold the trim there until it cools down again. This will only take about a minute and when you let go of it it will maintain its curved shape. You can then push it onto the flange.
Do not immerse the trim in hot water otherwise it will buckle.
In order to make sure that you have a reliable fit it is a good idea to fit some of the seam moulding clips to the flange before you push the trim on. From previous experience I would fit at least one seam moulding clip at each end of the trim.
How well your trim fits depends on the condition of the sill and wheel arch flange. If a cover sill has been fitted this can make fitting of the trim difficult because the sill flange will be thicker. An untidilly welded sill flange will also cause difficulties. Ideally sills should be spotwelded or if plug welded any surplus metal from the welding process should be removed.
Please note that it is important to heat the outside of the bend only. If you apply heat to both sides it will buckle.
Apply a small amount of heat holding the hair drier with one hand and bending the trim with the other hand into the shape you require. Hold the trim there until it cools down again. This will only take about a minute and when you let go of it it will maintain its curved shape. You can then push it onto the flange.
Do not immerse the trim in hot water otherwise it will buckle.
In order to make sure that you have a reliable fit it is a good idea to fit some of the seam moulding clips to the flange before you push the trim on. From previous experience I would fit at least one seam moulding clip at each end of the trim.
How well your trim fits depends on the condition of the sill and wheel arch flange. If a cover sill has been fitted this can make fitting of the trim difficult because the sill flange will be thicker. An untidilly welded sill flange will also cause difficulties. Ideally sills should be spotwelded or if plug welded any surplus metal from the welding process should be removed.