really big staples?

[steverino66]

I'm prepping replacement fenders/inner fenders for my truck: they're rust-free originals and I pulled out giant staples going through sheetmetal and rubber seals where the rear edges mount against firewall-
anyone have a source for replacing these staples and, if so, what's the correct method/tool for installing new ones - and are they necessary vs. glue for a non-original restoration?

[Clyde65]

I just used some wire about the same guage as the staples.

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I just used some wire about the same guage as the staples.

Thanks, I had that same thought, Clyde - we safety-wired everything with threads when I worked on fighter jets many years ago.
That may be the best plan since I can't imagine hitting those tiny sheetmetal holes exactly with any sort of staple driver.

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Same here saftey wired them back in. You could also use pop rivits or even sheet metal screws.

[Clyde65]

pop rivets would be ok, probably easirer too, not that easy getting the wire through the rubber.

[steverino66]

Good deal - I just wanted to bounce it off some experience before going with my first impulse. Thanks for the responses.

[jonzcustomshop]

I would love to see one of those staplers that gm used for that.

[jbgroby]

Since its going to be pressed up against the fireall rad support won't a layer of that black moulding adheasive by 3-M work just as well? That's what I was planning on doing.

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by jbgroby

Since its going to be pressed up against the fireall rad support won't a layer of that black moulding adheasive by 3-M work just as well? That's what I was planning on doing.

Good question - I've ordered some of the adhesive strips from NAPA for the flatter joints like the right angle joint with the grille support.
Seems like keeping the u-shaped rear edge seals from rolling off the sheetmetal during assembly might be tricky if they're not secured well, and those 2-inch flat welts that attach vertically inside the back of the outer fender will almost certainly have to be secured with metal somehow (see photo at link - they originally attached edge overlapping metal edge with staples).
http://www.americanclassic.com/images/FFSF64.jpg

[SFTorange]

Great question. I've been wondering how folks deal with those staples. More ideas?

[slorio]

Here is what I used. I found these digging through my wife's junk drawers (keep it clean !). She said they are used for attaching dry flowers to styrofoam in floral arrangements. Stores that stock dried flowers should have them cheap. I found they are the right size to fit the holes from the original staples. I push them through the holes and the rubber material, then cut to length and bend over the stubs with a pair of long nose plyers. I think they look good compared to the originals. The picture under the hood is where I used them to attach the rubber strip in front of radiator.

I hope this helps.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

[steverino66]

Cool flower shop trick, Steve - I'll check into that before I decide.
And thanks to everyone for the helpful replies.

[TopFuel1966]

Weatherstrip adhesive works just fine...

[nsb29]

the trick is to leave them long and cut them after you get them installed

[The Rocknrod]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=683722

[cru_zn_29]

If you leave them long then cut them off that takes all the fun out of it.

[Tomb23]

Greening Pins

http://www.joann.com/home-and-floral...z=54&start=324