Eyebrow and Grill Edging

[AlfaPDent]

As seen in the photo above, a lot of Giulia and Giulietta Spiders have a black rubber edging on the eyebrows and grill to stop the chrome cutting into the paint.

Are there special gaskets available for this or is this just a universal type rubber edging?

Thanks

[Alfajay]

I just used generic automotive "U" channel on my Giulia spider - about the smallest size available.

Every now and then, the guys on the 750/101 list discuss whether the factory ever installed edging between the grille, eyebrows, and body. I think the concensus has been "no". Consequently, there is no pre-formed, special part for this application.

[101/105guy]

I always disliked the black edjing around grille pieces.
When re-doing my '65, I applied clear silicone to just the edje of the chrome and let it set up overnight. Maybe 1/16" thick. When the pieces are installed, it provides a cushion but is invisible.
Randy

[concept 101]

Phil,

I bought the black rubber edging for eyebrows and the center piece from Alfastop.

Dennis

[Gordon Raymond]

Having owned my '65 from new, there never was any rubber trim there. Many mention that the imperfectly formed grill and eyebrows dig into new paint. Probably even more so if the bodywork does not perfectly match the imperfect trim. I once spent a long while splitting very small diameter clear plastic tubing, like that used on an aquarium air pump, but smaller, with a razor blade. Wrapper around the grill it was a l m o s t invisible. After a week I removed it and gave up. Alfa did not do it this way. My paint is 43 years old red. On a black car it might look fine. I didn't like the look, but that is just my opinion.

[red10118]

A simple trick for making your own edging involves using single strand insulated copper electrical cable. Drill a hole near the edge of a piece of wood using a bit that is just slightly larger than the diameter of the cable. Then drive an Xacto knife blade into the hole from the side such that the point of the blade extends about 1/3 of the way into the hole. Pull a length of cable through and the insulation is neatly slit on one side. Remove the copper conductor, and you have an effective edging. I have used very light gauge cable on my eyebrows. Also use this approach to cover the bare edge of the license plate (a yellow edge on a yellow-on-black CA plate looks sharp). Gordon, I expect you could have slit your clear plastic tubing in this way as well.

[diprcr]

MY 1964 Spider Veloce has its' original grille. It has a flare where it contacts the paint. There never was any kind of gasket between the grille and the body. If the grille matches the body the flare keeps it from rubbing the paint.

[pathung]

I agree with Gordon. I'd only use the black edging if the car were black, where it'd be less obvious.

I've installed the edging on my black car, under the center grille and pass. side eyebrow - not all that noticeable from a distance as photo shows.

[Gordon Raymond]

See? Patrick's car looks great! Particularly for a car with only ONE eyebrow!

Now, can you see the clear edging on my red spider? Thats good. There isn't any.

[jarrington]

Geez, you guys are making me want to go pick up a set of Cibies for my Giulietta. Well, except for the fact that the Super project is bleeding me dry, that is.

-Jason

[Gordon Raymond]

Jason,
The extra lights were "in" back in the day, and don't detract from the front end of these cars. Mine are 1965 Lucas, mounted in the bumper overrider holes. If I ever bust one, I've still got the overriders stashed away!

[pathung]

Mine are modern-day Cibies, and will probably draw so much power that every other electrical component would have to be turned off first.

[morelisse]

Discussion is probably over but I, like Patrick, used a little black profile. Actually it looks fine because it is hardly visible on a black car but I would certainly not use it on any other different color car.

[pathung]

Your car looks great, Jorg!

[Gordon Raymond]

Patrick / Jorg,
The truth now. You guys are sharing a single car, right????