So I have been looking for a stapler to use on the window trim to attach the rubber squeegee to the trim.

It might be usable to attach the fuzzy strip to the top of the door card too.

I have dimensions of the trim to set parameters. An air plier stapler is probably similar to what they used originally.

https://www.google.com/search?q=air+plier+stapler&client=firefox-b-1-d&hs=AJkp&sca_esv=35f533f402643216&udm=2&biw=1536&bih=678&sxsrf=ANbL-n6OrZvsn2u-hVBNFYO7b7LYAhbp4g%3A1776729595533&ei=-73maeegIJmzptQP0pKagAQ&ved=0ahUKEwinip3D0f2TAxWZmYkEHVKJBkAQ4dUDCBI&uact=5&oq=air+plier+stapler&gs_lp=Egtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZyIRYWlyIHBsaWVyIHN0YXBsZXIyBBAAGB4yBhAAGAUYHjIGEAAYCBgeSKQZUJsFWK0RcAF4AJABAJgBXKABjwWqAQE5uAEDyAEA-AEBmAIJoALGBcICBhAAGAcYHsICChAAGIAEGIoFGEPCAgUQABiABMICCBAAGAgYBxgewgIIEAAYBRgHGB6YAwCIBgGSBwE5oAfwI7IHATm4B8YFwgcDMi05yAcmgAgB&sclient=gws-wiz-img

I have talked to several stapler vendors and haven't come up with anything yet. I was hoping somebody might have some original information on how this was done in the 70's

@HS30-H @kats Maybe another member affiliated with the S30 group might know...

Most of these types of staplers are designed to staple cardboard. The upgrade to thin stainless seems to be an issue. They can be expensive but if I could find a proper one it would make repairing these strips really easy and factory appropriate

This throat dimension seems to be the biggest problem. One vendor I spoke to needed 7/8" for the stapler he would recommend. While I barely have 0.020"

I have done these by had using wire and folding them over but it's a slow process with mixed results. I have to do four of them for Cody's wagon

Any help or direction appreciated.

@jfa.series1

Charles,

If you don't find a good stapler solution, I have an alternative method for both installs that has worked well for me.

Jim

Jim

Please share "alternative method", i going to do the same for my z.

the more info the better.

Len P

Please use @jfa.series1 So he will be notified. Anytime you’re trying to contact someone directly here on the forum that individual will get a notification. Just a heads up.

22 hours ago, lenponz said:

Jim

Please share "alternative method", i going to do the same for my z.

the more info the better.

Len P

My approach is pretty much straightforward: I use 1/8" aluminum pop rivets instead of staples. The rivets are spread about 4 - 4 1/2" apart except at the front end. To avoid denting the belt molding when drilling the hole, insert a flat surface such as a putty knife to stop the drill bit. Installing the fuzzy strips on the top of the door card is similar, no need to use a flat surface. I did pick out all the fuzzy hairs from under the under the pop rivet head to ensure it was seated as deep as possible. Here's some pics of the belt molding. I did this about 12 years ago, purchased complete repro belt molding assemblies from Black Dragon but did not like the metal molding so I removed the squeegee strips and installed them on my own moldings. That's why you see staples securing the metal reinforcing strip to the rubber sqeegee in these pics. These staples do not go thru to the molding. Sometimes the bottom of the pop rivet has to be slightly trimmed to get clearance to fit the molding on the door. If so, a Dremel with a cutoff wheel is a good approach. Hope this helps you with your project.

You're going to laugh at me when I tell you how I did mine but go ahead and snicker.

The staples that Nissan's supplier used are STOUT. Must have taken a hell of a staple gun. They're like spring steel. Anyway, I knew I'd never find a staple, and I was afraid to use pop rivets, SO... I used paper clips.

No, not like that. I cut them with a wire cutter and bent them into a "U" that matched the holes made by the original staples, pushed them through the holes in the stainless steel strip, then pushed them through the rubber squeegee and folded them over like a staple. Took a bit to get the "arm" length right so they didn't overlap. I did it 7 or 8 years ago and haven't had any issues - and when/if they wear out, it's just a paper clip.

I have done something similar with piano wire. I found the piano wire difficult to fold properly. A paper clip might be softer and easier to fold

After a quick search, I'm curious if they used a plier stapler: https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-308/Staplers-and-Staples/Bostitch-Industrial-Plier-Stapler?pricode=WA9514&gadtype=pla&id=H-308&ad_group_id=169835542780&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21814877952&gbraid=0AAAAAD_uetOzGoheJpwHQfHqXe8QbIkot&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkrzPBhCqARIsAJN460nvoILBqjb3kApeJc9a0ZVcuQTu8H_xXvBRi93g54Z1csMgYPR7zYwaAl2bEALw_wcB

And by plier stapler for manufacturing, I would think something like this instead: https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-3068/Staplers-and-Staples/Uline-Pneumatic-Plier-Stapler?pricode=WA9511&gadtype=pla&id=H-3068&ad_group_id=169835544460&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21814877952&gbraid=0AAAAAD_uetOzGoheJpwHQfHqXe8QbIkot&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkrzPBhCqARIsAJN460m3g8jpx9_-VCLcPqrk3kKqt0Q8lA7XYi2-rzb6VRuN02-i7uQC-MkaAvbCEALw_wcB

As a tangent, I also found they have a hog ring stapler. I'm not sure if that one could be used for seats: https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-1481/Staplers-and-Staples/Hog-Ring-Plier-Stapler?pricode=WA9214&gadtype=pla&id=H-1481&ad_group_id=169835544220&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21814877952&gbraid=0AAAAAD_uetOzGoheJpwHQfHqXe8QbIkot&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkrzPBhCqARIsAJN460kngud0nN7I1N4awAjMLqATi1EIjYgrIlHEjoJcUd58yXqsA61X26QaAoafEALw_wcB

The 2nd one is the Mac Daddy!!

The second one is the type I have looked at. I'm just not sure it would punch the metal involved. I had a recommendation from Bostitch but they can't even tell me where to purchase the stapler they make...

And I haven't been able to find a picture of it

Here's a second (or third?) voice on this Z restorer's diliema...

When I did this job about 10 years ago, I was fortunate enough to find a vendor called 'SoCalZ' (or something like that -- this was back in the days when Black Dragon and Motorsports Auto dominated the Z afterparts community). Somehow, SoCalZ had managed to acquire a roll of perfectly-profiled rubber trim strip, complete with flocking. They offered a kit that came complete with hardware where installation was done using trim clips. No need for staples, rivets, or glue. Sheer genius. They worked perfectly. I've tried to generate a photo but, alas, my new Android cellphone defeats my understanding of how to transfer photos to my laptop. Even if i could, it would take an internet master to find a vendor for those clips.

Edited April 28Apr 28 by Namerow
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