Another loose end slowly being tied up...
 

...eventually.

Another aspect of the external trim situation on the PV that I'm not so keen on is the metal trim that butts up against the paint. When I removed the trim there was loads of trapped muck which was also promoting rust.

Part of the trouble seems to me to be the wire spring clips - not only do they potentially scratch as they go into the bodywork holes - but they seem to be a bit hit and miss at actually holding the trim firmly up against the body - and some of them have started to rust (I'm aware this comment might upset some people - all I can say is that's the impression I've had with my PV - so I'm going to do something about it)

I think it was user "old fart" who drew my attention to a company in the UK called Bresco who supply "T-bolts" for holding trim in position. After a fair amount of ball scratching I've decided I'm going to see if I can utilise these T-bolts with a rubber strip and the original trim to see if I can make a better more water repellent solution.

Based on a few measurements of the trim =>

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/attac...1&d=1545490993

I've just ordered a load of these clips =>

https://www.bresco.com/acatalog/Moul...5P.html#SID=31

The magical width is 15.6 mm which I reckon is just going to slide in the trim nicely whilst allowing a bit of wriggle space so I can get the trim as straight as possible down the length of the car - I have high hopes this clamping system is going to be more versatile than the original spring clips - and coupled with my rubber strip plans hopefully will be better at keeping the water outside of the car (even if you only get tiny seepage in the worst case scenarios)

The T-bolts will be held in place with wide M4 washers and self locking nuts on the underside of the panels

Are these an official updated version then?

(I'm still glad I've got the others on order as they work out to be a bit cheaper - about 69 euro cents per piece instead of about 2 euros a piece)

These are usually fitted at either end of each strip with the spring clips in between

Oh I didn't realise that - I didn't find any on my car when I pulled it to bits. I can see how the spring clips should work now - with guiding help from the T-bolts at the ends - that's probably gonna be a bit better.

Still I will hopefully have ordered enough of the T-bolts to do the entire car with out the spring clips now.

For what it's worth, I sprayed WD40 inside all my strips and left it to dry before fitting.

Beware.

See:

www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?p=2428940

my post #9 re the power of galvanic action.

The VP-Autoparts clips, judging by their pic, seem to have a (rubber/plastic?) layer back and front of the square head. There may be a good reason for this: To insulate them electrically from the trim strip? I am guessing.

The trim strips of the Amazon (at least mine) were provided with spring clips throughout the length, including at the ends.

Simon;

I won't dispute the power (literally, as in electrical...!) of Galvanic Corrosion, but in the case of your those secondary rust areas in the linked thread, at the end of the chrome strip (not at the hole!) I would expect the rust was started as a result of the trim having damaged the paint (just as the clips damaged the paint at the edges of the holes) so that moisture could get to the underlying sheetmetal and go to work...I wonder how much the fact that Trim is SS and sheetmetal is steel contributed?

Cheers

Thanks for your comments chaps - part of my plan is to go for the kinky rubber option I've got in my head (!) so I'm hoping there will be sufficient isolation between the parts...

...I've also got a series 2a Land Rover so I've seen what dissimilar metal corrosion can do.

EDIT:- I did have a good link explaining not only the dissimilar values between metals but also how the inclusion of a conductive element (such as sitting water) is a vital part of the system - but as usual - I can't find it now

Last post of 2018
 

Almost a year since I bought the Volvo - a lot has happened - and a lot hasn't happened!

The most recent occurrence was the arrival of the Bresco clamps I'll be using for the exterior trim.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/attac...1&d=1546260615

They have just enough wriggle space within the folds of the trim so I'm confident I'll be able to get nice straight runs of trim down the sides of the car (unlike some PVs I've seen with very daft looking skewed trim on front wings)