Source for 91 Sunbird trim clips

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bluesmokennoise

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Well I've decided I am going to "break it real good" or I am going to make her look much better and am going to try some body work.
My 1991 Pontiac Sunbird LE convertible is a mess and if I could find a passenger and driver side door this would be easy-peasey. However I cannot find doors so I am cutting out the rust and going to do my best at replacing the holes. In so doing I discovered the areas under the outside trim molding are where much of the rust was confined and while those areas seem somewhat superficial I need to clean 'em up. The clips that hold the upper and lower trim are pretty rigid-with-age by now and some have broken as I tried to get them off. Does anyone know where you can find these clips? Ebay has trim clips but so far I haven't been able to find these.

The Upper clips are 2.625-inches (2 5/8-inches) long x 1.174-inches (1 11/64-inches) wide with a springy pair of "whiskers" that extend 1.515-inches (1 33/64-inches) horizontally. It is marked, "20516001" and " "Z- 4990 5."

The Lower clips are 1.742-inches (1 47/64-inches) long x 1.200-inches (1 13/64-inches) wide with a springy pair of "whiskers" that extend 1.515-inches (1 33/64-inches) horizontally. It is marked, "14020781" and "Z7260 8" with the "POM" logo.

I've attached photos of each.

Thanks to any and all for help.sunbirdmoldingcliplower.jpgsunbirdmoldingclipupper.jpg
 
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I got tired of my once-good-lookin' Sunbird looking like a rust bucket so I decided to try my first body work. In so doing I need to replace the outside trim clips which seem to be made of un-obtanium. Ebay sells lots of clips but not for my 91 Sunbird LE convertible. So can anyone recommend a source for either or both of these clips?

UPPER TRIM CLIPS
2.625-inches long (2 5/8-inches) x 1.174-inches wide (1 11/64-inches) with two molded plastic springs that are 1.515-inches (1 33/64-inches) wide poking from the bottom. The clip is marked, "20516001" and "Z-4990 5."

LOWER TRIM CLIPS
1.742-inches long (1 47/64-inches) x 1.200-inches wide (1 13/64-inches) with two molded plastic springs that are 1.515-inches (1 33/64-inches) wide poking from the bottom. The clip is marked, "14020781" and "Z 7260 8." The word "POM" also is molded into the plastic.

If you know where such clips might be available I would sure appreciate hearing from you. Thanks!
sunbirdmoldingclipupper.jpg
sunbirdmoldingcliplower.jpg
 
bluesmokennoise said:
I got tired of my once-good-lookin' Sunbird looking like a rust bucket so I decided to try my first body work. In so doing I need to replace the outside trim clips which seem to be made of un-obtanium. Ebay sells lots of clips but not for my 91 Sunbird LE convertible. So can anyone recommend a source for either or both of these clips?

UPPER TRIM CLIPS
2.625-inches long (2 5/8-inches) x 1.174-inches wide (1 11/64-inches) with two molded plastic springs that are 1.515-inches (1 33/64-inches) wide poking from the bottom. The clip is marked, "20516001" and "Z-4990 5."

LOWER TRIM CLIPS
1.742-inches long (1 47/64-inches) x 1.200-inches wide (1 13/64-inches) with two molded plastic springs that are 1.515-inches (1 33/64-inches) wide poking from the bottom. The clip is marked, "14020781" and "Z 7260 8." The word "POM" also is molded into the plastic.

If you know where such clips might be available I would sure appreciate hearing from you. Thanks!
View attachment 7207
View attachment 7208
Click to expand...
 
Try GMPartscenter.net. Search Trim Clips, or try body molding.
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92 Sunbird LE said:
Searched by GM part#...

20516001 - Genuine GM Clip, Molding, Outer Panel Center

GMPartsGiant.com offers the great deal for genuine GM parts, 20516001. Clip, Molding, Outer Panel Center for $1.09. All parts are backed by the GM's warranty.
www.gmpartsgiant.com www.gmpartsgiant.com

cyberparts1911.ca

GENUINE GM 14020781 ROCKER PANEL MOLDING RETAINER-CLIP

GENUINE GM 14020781 ROCKER PANEL MOLDING RETAINER-CLIP Make: Chevrolet Pontiac Model: Camaro Sunbird Year: 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
cyberparts1911.ca cyberparts1911.ca

Doug in P.R.😎
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
As always, thank you Doug in PR! Unfortunately one of the two clips I am needing is discontinued and out of stock but I am going to check on the shipping from your recommendation. Wow...a guy on eBay has then for five bucks but wants almost twenty bucks to ship them. They're the size of a matchbook you get when you check out of a restaurant!

Also cammerjeff there are these numbers cast into the clips. The longer of the two (the upper clip) is cast with 20516001. I presume this is the GM part number.
The lower clip (the shorter of the two) has this number, 14020781. Again, I believe this is the GM part number.

Thanks to all for checking in for me on this.
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Now that I have got into it and actually started the process of cutting out rust areas I am faced with a dilemma.
Some of the trim clips used by Pontiac are supported by a pair of pins riveted into the body. Some of those pins are surrounded by rust so I need to cut them out, patch, paint. What is the consensus of this august group on (when the painting is done) just re=attaching the trim molding with adhesive?
 
All of my 92's vinyl / urethane ? door trim is held on by 3M trim tape from the factory, had to replace the trim missing off the car when I got the car in 2012 ,got some off a junker in AZ before we moved, still on the car 12 years later....

Windshield Urethane works too, but is messy , you have to wear gloves , and use just the right amount because it hard to clean off anything...

Doug in P.R.😎
 
I am so glad to hear your experience with the trim, Doug! Thanks a lot. As I stated earlier this is uncharted waters for me dealing with body work to this degree. The little posts are like studs sticking out of the body and while I can obtain the trim clips for the upper vinyl trim from the parts place you recommended, I can't find the lower ones. But some of the posts are in areas where I am going to have to cut out around the post. I thought about gluing the trim back on but don't like that idea as much in case I botch it. The first time my wife walks out to the car at the shopping center, comes home and says the trims are crooked, I'll be kicking myself for gluing them on. I really like the idea of cutting, patching.painting, then laying some 3M tape over the top. Seems like I might make less of a mess of the project. I appreciate your weighing in hugely, Doug.
 
I am happy to report that I located the trim clips...had to go to Canada to get 'em but I got 'em. Now, onward and upward! Thanks to you guys for your helpful suggestions.
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