looking at picking up a chrome? strip from the wreckers on the weekend that goes right around the outside of a bay bus. its off a 69ish model and i want to fit it to my 76, but i presume there were no changes between those models around the waistline? it all seems to be held on by clips tack-screwed on, any advice on fitting?

Not too sure how the waist band from the earlier Kombi's fit on, but being VW it's sure to be clips. If you can't source these or don't want to drill holes in your planels to fit them, use body mould tape.
I have the later style chrome strip on my '77. The holes for the clips tend to get rusty so I cleaned and filled them. I removed the clips from the chrome srtip and attached them with body mould tape (most car places will stock it).
After 12 months it's till holding on well.

cheers, well the screws under the strips (i took a couple off last time i was there) looked good, so maybe a bead of silicon or similar on the top edge of strip will stop rust? i dont want to stick on as i dont want to wreck the new paintjob im going to do if they come off.

If it's in good nick, I'd be tempted to leave it. I don't think silicone on fresh paint is a good idea. Clear will yellow in the sun, and you will damage the paint if you ever take it off.
The body mould tape peels off my fresh paint (12mths ago) with no damage. Not too sure what's it's like to remove now though.

looks like i wont be doing it afterall. took it all of the car, took it to the counter and the bitch expected $90 for it!!! by counting the pieces of chrome. i dumped it and walked out. surely it cant be worth near that much!?!

Definitely a rip off. If there all good I'd offer $20.
I got a set at a swap meet, $25 from memory.