Point metal clips on the body - how to avoid chipping paint when replacing?

[schickm]

Hey everybody: I'm replacing the window scraper seals on my 76' 240D. The seals are held to the door by these little metal clips. They have pointy edges that hold them in place, but also dig right into the paint job. Is there any recommended way of removing and re-installing these without cutting into the paint? I tried leveraging them away from the door body with a screw driver, but I got worried about bending and misshaping them.

How did Mercedes get these things in without damaging the paint? Perhaps it was harder then...my paint is going on 39 yrs.

Seems like I'm just inviting rust in. Or am I just becoming overly rust paranoid?

[Left Coast]

Those clips have a pair of barbs that dig in. Removing them diy usually involves some damage. Installing them with a little lube shouldn't. There's probably some specialty tool that spreads them to make removal easy, but it would be hard for the casual diy'er to justify buying one-- assuming that they are available.

You don't need to pull those clips off, except maybe if you need to get the window glass out. I've had to do this a few times, and I've found that usually the last clip is rusty and needing some attention. Try prying the rubber strip out. It should come loose from the clips easily. A generous amount of soapy water will aid in getting the new one in.

It certainly wouldn't hurt to touch up any damaged paint, but your door looks to be in nice condition.

[schickm]

A little lube and some soapy water, sounds like a plan!

Total newb question: I've never done touchup paint...I've got my paint code on my data card. Can I just order paint from Mercedes? Perhaps I should just start a new thread...

[JeffreyNMemphis]

You can order touch up paint with paint code from Mercedes. I have ordered it before from my local dealer. I have also become a fan of Doctor Color Chip. You can Google it or search on youtube for more information.

[schickm]

Great. My paint code is "606 - ivory", but what's weird is that Doctor Color Chip (and many other sites) lists 606 as "maple yellow". There is a color, "623 Light Ivory", listed online that looks like a much closer match to my car.

What to trust...the name or the code...perhaps I'll just order both from the dealership so I can return the incorrect one.

[joshhol]

Interesting. I'm doing the same job on my 300D and didn't worry too much about the chipped paint at the clips because it's not in a place where the water will pool, and it shouldn't get wet since it's under the trim. But, perhaps I should have dabbed some rust inhibitor paint in and around the clip area.
Let us know how it turns out.

[schickm]

See joshhol, there's some common sense - if the water doesn't pool there, and its mostly covered, it should be fine. Being new to this classic car thing, I think I've turned into a little bit of a rust-paranoid person.

I'll let you know how the lube turns out.

[schickm]

Well, just like Left Coast said, leaving those metal clips in is definitely the way to go. You just soap up your new window scraper and press it down into the clips, worked like a charm!

Here are some tips for getting the old window scrapers out:

Make sure your windows are all the way down! You want them below the metal frame of the door as you'll be doing some levering.

Use a flat head screw driver on the inside of the chrome trim and your hand on the outside (pic 1). Lever up with the screw driver and pull up with your hand. Do this gradually across the whole chrome trim piece and it'll pop out soon enough. If you want to be super gentle with it, slip a plastic paint scraper on top of the screwdriver (pic 2).

Use a pair of needle nose pliers to grab the old window scraper by the metal. Pull up on the needle nose while applying downward pressure to the metal clip with the flathead (pic 3). Start at one end pulling the scraper fully out of each clip. It'll just bend as you pull it out.

The clips may still pop up a little bit, just carefully hammer them back down.

Then apply some soapy water to the rubber side of your new scraper and install away!