Concealed trim fixings?

[CJH]

My camper left the VW factory as a panel van, and the interior hardboard lining panels are secured with self tapping screws with the heads covered in plastic cups. I'm planning to replace these panels, and I'm after some advice on what clips to use. I'd like the heads of the trim clips to be concealed under whatever covering I put over the lining panels.

I've seen various adverts for ply panels "cut from original VW templates" which come with the fixing holes already drilled. I'm pretty sure there aren't any matching holes in the sides of my van, so I guess I'll need to drill suitable holes. Am I supposed to put rubber bungs in these holes? Are the pre-drilled holes in the ply panels intended for fixings which would not be concealed? If so, I'd probably order the panels without those holes.

I'm also planning to replace the small section of headlining, behind the pop-top hole and in front of the rear overhead locker, with a curved ply panel. Again, what's the best way to secure that so that the fixings are concealed and easily removable?

[RobH]

I've used two lots of trim clips, can't remember where the first set came from but the second set http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20x-VW-Transp ... OC:GB:3160 were much better.

I've carpetted blank cards from Just Kampers and Custom and Commercial both were fine with holes in the right places, I've a twin slider panel caonversion that has holes in the doors, no need for ant rubber grommets or anything.

My side panels are cut from ply and screwed in place with small screws that are pretty much hidden by the carpet but I believe there are holes in all vans for the standard cards if you wanted to do it that way.

[CJH]

That's brilliant Rob, thanks for taking the time to reply. So do those clips in the ebay advert separate into two parts, or do you push the heads into the holes from the rear of the ply panels? Do you know offhand what size holes are required in the ply panels? I'm pretty sure that at least my rear three-quarter section does not have the corresponding holes in the metalwork, but if the holes in the ply panels are correct and the trim fixings are the same as the originals, then it makes sense for me to drill the holes in the van to match.

[RobH]

Not sure about rear quarters, as mine are just ply that I've screwed.
The holes are slightly bigger than the shaft of the clips which are one piece and have a top that's circular with a section missing, so you feed one side through the hole in the doorcard and twist so the head is fed through to the front of the card, gives a little movement of the clip in the card if hole isn't quite in the right place.


** Crafty E D I T for shoddy typing and to add some clarity **

[CJH]

Not sure about rear quarters, as mine are just ply that I've screwed.
The holes are slight;y bigger than the sharf of the clips which are one piece and have a top that's circular with a section missing, so you feed one side through the hole in the doorcard and twist so the head is fed through to the front of the card.

Ah, got it - thanks.