[BobinPA]

I am having trouble with the plastic edge trim that goes around the bucket seat lower and seat back on my original 68 bucket seats. It keeps popping off, and I can get it back on, but it just wont stay. It seems like it is supposed to be glued on, but the glue is not holding I guess. Anybody have any suggestions on how to keep it on, or a replacement trim I can use.

 

[71-SS350]

Don't know the answer but I have the same problem and same question. Riding along with you on this as to what the answer is.

 

[SFD]

Buy the better kit at AMES performance.

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[69SS454]

I remember struggling with it too. Mine had glue inside the trim. Use a rubber hammer to get it seated into the glue. Once the plastics are installed on the seat, the seat cushions help hold it on.

 

[blm]

My understanding is there is some cheap stuff which may be intended as door edge guard and then there is the better stuff that goes right on. Mine went right on so I guess I had the better stuff. By the way, technically Chevrolet didn’t get the trim on the lower plastics. Didn’t come from the factory with it on the lowers. Maybe Pontiac’s and Oldsmobiles but not Chevrolets.

 

[RAMBO]

are you using original trim or repop?
The original will look like a "G" or a "C" if looking at the end of it. There was definitely no glue inside it.

Most repops are as brad said above just chrome door edge guard material off a roll (~$20).
It does have a little adhesive strip inside it. That stuff looks like a "U" if looked at the end. It is much smaller than original, it doesn't go over the plastic beads very well on the 68-72 plastic skirts and backs and likes to pop off. That said the cheap stuff does go on really well for 66/67 metal skirts and backs and it stays put)
For that stuff, i use a few drops of epoxy on the inside edge of the chrome and plastic at the tight bends to help them stay put. (clarification, no inside the trim, on the outside of the trim, but on the INSIDE of the panels so its not visible. Only a few drops at the bends are necessary)

There is an expensive repop set (~$100) made by Ames pontiac (OPG and others now sells it, but Ames mfgs it) that is very good and replicates the originals perfectly.
That stuff fits very good, and stays put like the originals did. It does need the correct chrome bullets on the ends to help hold it on (the bullets squeeze the plastic shut just enough to help it stay on the plastic bead on the skirt or back panel.)

 

[SS396NY]

are you using original trim or repop?
The original will look like a "G" or a "C" if looking at the end of it. There was definitely no glue inside it.

Most repops are as brad said above just chrome door edge guard material off a roll (~$20).
It does have a little adhesive strip inside it. That stuff looks like a "U" if looked at the end. It is much smaller than original, it doesn't go over the plastic beads very well on the 68-72 plastic skirts and backs and likes to pop off. That said the cheap stuff does go on really well for 66/67 metal skirts and backs and it stays put)
For that stuff, i use a few drops of epoxy on the inside edge of the chrome and plastic at the tight bends to help them stay put. (clarification, no inside the trim, on the outside of the trim, but on the INSIDE of the panels so its not visible. Only a few drops at the bends are necessary)

There is an expensive repop set (~$100) made by Ames pontiac (OPG and others now sells it, but Ames mfgs it) that is very good and replicates the originals perfectly.
That stuff fits very good, and stays put like the originals did. It does need the correct chrome bullets on the ends to help hold it on (the bullets squeeze the plastic shut just enough to help it stay on the plastic bead on the skirt or back panel.)

Yes - highly recommend you buy the correct one from Ames performance Pontiac - around $90-$100. I just bought it to replace my 70 SS bucket seat cheap $35 trim that wouldn't stay on. The Ames kit is larger cross section and snaps on like original versus trying to force on the smaller cheaper ones. It also looks correct larger round size versus the smaller cheap ones. They make each piece slightly longer, so you need to trim around 1/4" -1/2" off length to make it fit your seats exactly.

 

[SS396NY]

Yes - highly recommend you buy the correct one from Ames performance Pontiac - around $90-$100. I just bought it to replace my 70 SS bucket seat cheap $35 trim that wouldn't stay on. The Ames kit is larger cross section and snaps on like original versus trying to force on the smaller cheaper ones. It also looks correct larger round size versus the smaller cheap ones. They make each piece slightly longer, so you need to trim around 1/4" -1/2" off length to make it fit your seats exactly.

And I believe the plastic end bullets are only used for the earlier cars like 66-67 and maybe 68? When I called Ames, they told me the end bullets are not correct for later cars like 70.

 

[Davemo]

I am having trouble with the plastic edge trim that goes around the bucket seat lower and seat back on my original 68 bucket seats. It keeps popping off, and I can get it back on, but it just wont stay. It seems like it is supposed to be glued on, but the glue is not holding I guess. Anybody have any suggestions on how to keep it on, or a replacement trim I can use.

Using a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the trim as you install it [heat about one foot at a time] press it in place and when it cools it will keep the shape and stay on.

 

[WeCruzn69]

I just bought a set for my 69 from NPD. Supposedly they just snap on in place without needing glue. The ends of my originals won't stay on, and (I thought) the ones that go around the bottom seat cushions were missing, but someone mentioned that the Chevelle didn't have them around the bottom cushions, so I guess I'll leave them off. I love learning new things!

 

[Capt Casey]

I am looking at page 48 of the dealer book you would look at when ordering a new GM car and the Chevelle for 68 shows the bucket seat interior and yes there are no chrome strips along the edge of the seat bottoms and curiously none on the bucket seat backs either....?

 

[BobinPA]

Thanks guys. I have tried all the heat gun, clamp, super glue tricks but it does not work. I have ordered the Ames kit, so hopefully that will take care of issue.

 

[BobinPA]

Ok, I now have the Ames trim, and it has a little tang in the edge that should hook into the vinyl and hold the trim on. It came with bullet ends. Can anyone tell me do these ends go over the trim, or just butt to the end of the trim. If they go over the trim they are going to have to be opened up. Anybody have a close up picture, as I cant find one on the web. Yes, I know these are not correct for my Malibu, but who ever reupholstered the seats left a raw edge and put the trim over that, so I either put this trim back on or get the seat back and lower covers reupholstered.

 

[SFD]

Over, open a hair and pinch closed on the little tangs to grip the plastic.

 

[blm]

Yes, I know these are not correct for my Malibu, but who ever reupholstered the seats left a raw edge and put the trim over that, so I either put this trim back on or get the seat back and lower covers reupholstered.

Bob,
Dont believe the bullets were used on 68 seats. Can you post a picture as dont understand what you are saying about the " raw edge " and trying to cover it with the trim.