News:

Due to a technical issue, some recently uploaded pictures have been lost. We are investigating why this happened but the issue has been resolved so that future uploads should be safe.  You can also Modify your post (MORE...) and re-upload the pictures in your post.

Main Menu

Tool For Installing Snaps on Convertible Top Well Stainless Trim

Started by Seans 66, July 23, 2012, 02:44:13 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Seans 66

This post is about my 66 Cadillac but I have a feeling that many years of convertible Cadillacs likely had the same snaps that my car has.  The outfit that polished all my stainless trim for me removed all the snaps from the convertible top well molding in order to polish it.  Unfortunately, the factory snaps were not really intended to be removed and reinstalled.  I have managed to find the correct snaps (ordered from Danchuk) to put back on the molding but I cannot find the proper tool to do it.  The snaps have an indentation on the shaft that goes into the holes on the trim.  I have a feeling GM used a tool similar to a miniature C clamp that would hold the snap from the top side and then press into the indentation in the shaft to "mushroom" out the shaft so it would hold to the trim. 

Does anybody have one of these tools or know where one can be purchased?

Steve Passmore

Show a picture of your fastener, there are several sorts and different tools for each.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

caddychap

If you go to a craft store like AC Moore or Michael's, they will have a tool that you use to install snaps.  I saw such a tool at AC Moore and as I recall, it was quite inexpensive.  Good luck.

Seans 66

Here is a picture of the snaps used on GM cars of the era.  They are different than an average button snap you can routinely find.  The widely available button snaps have a backing plate that is pressed together with the snap.  That would work fine-- if only there was enough room in the trim piece for the backing plate.  That's why I had to got to theses special ones.  Any help is appreciated!

Steve Passmore

I would think the standard fixing tool would do these types as well.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

The Tassie Devil(le)

You could always get a pair of Vice Grips and modify them to act as the installer.

It would require a bit of welding and grinding to both jaws to attach the "Anvil" and Punch" to each jaw.

This way, you will have a controllable pressure to "press and rivet" the fastener into place.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Seans 66

I'll pick up one of the generic snap installers but if that doesn't pan out I'm going to have to go the build it yourself route which I was hoping to avoid.  I don't have any experience with welding or fabrication but my brother in law does.  Guess I'll try hitting him up.  The key willl be to design a device that doesn't deform the snap when you apply pressure. 

If only they had left the snaps in place!  You would have thinked they would have told me before they did the work. 

Sadness....