Disassembling my badly rusted early 67. How do I remove the back window trim without destroying it? Some of it already fell off from the rust.
Wait just a little longer.
There is a trim removal tool made for this job. You can get one from a tool truck (Snap-On, Mac, etc), NAPA stores used to carry them, Harbor Freight probably would have one too.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
Thanks, Randy. I appreciate the useful response.
Elephant anyone?
1 has a rivit. Not factory.
2 type taken off in 1990’s
3 reproduction
4 possibly original type
I’m not familiar with the tool. I used paint scrapers and flat screwdrivers.
Patients is needed, always know your force. Besides ruining it, injuries are recorded here with a high percentage in my book.
Once the first piece is off some of the trim can be slid along the window edge and can be removed at a gap in the trim retaining lip. There is a thread in this forum that has an excellent representation of where each anchor stud is placed around the front and rear windows. Knowing where they are is key. Knowing how they work is also key. Air and vacuum as much dirt as can be removed. They can become rus…
Here is a picture of the tool.
As mentioned the tool is slid up the trim, then tilted so the angle is flat on the body, then slid over until it hits the next clip, when the tip is caught on the clip gently pry up to release the pressure on the molding .
As your feeling for the clip be very careful not to TWIST the tool because that sharp tip will dent your molding.
Also it wouldn’t hurt to wrap some tape around the handle to keep from scratching the window.
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The version that I have works the same way however the contact points are much longer and come back on an angle. The handle is more like a screwdriver handle so it is easier on the hand and no worries about scratching the glass.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
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Perfect. I appreciate the info and pictures. The last time I took some of this trim off would have been the early 80’s and I don’t remember how I did it.
It turned out that most of the back window clips were rusted except along the top, and I was able to get that trim off with a lot of sideways pulling. One piece came off easy. The other one took quite a bit of time but eventually released. One piece has a small, crushed area. A branch must have hit it while it was parked for years. Probably easier to get another one instead of trying to get the dent out?
I did the windshield a couple nights ago. The bottom trim was completely loose. The remainder of the clips around the windshield were rusted and they all broke with just a little lifting with a screwdriver. I cut the gasket around the windshield and it’s ready to remove the next time I work on it.
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Wow. That looks sooo SCARY!!! I don’t know if I could look at my car in that state. The finish is the goal, but holy cow!!!
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G_Dub - Thanks so much for the pics and clear dialog: I will ultimately have to do this and am bookmarking the page. You also lift my heart 3 levels because what you are processing through makes my issues NIL! 
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