FWIW, I remember an article many years ago where the automakers were all switching to tape or glue exclusively to hold on trim to stop rust caused by the clip holes.
Since you are fighting rust anyway, if there is a way to adapt to clip-less, it might be a good way to go.
All the trim on my '89 250 is held on by some kind of double sided tape.
Some kind of a piece that goes in the trim where the clips go and gives a flat surface for the tape would do it.
Just make darn sure you are ready for the trim before you put it on.
If you had to remove it, and it pulled the paint off, it would not be bad.
Just a dab of primer and put the trim back on over the spot.