I'm going to be getting my GSL-SE painting in the next few weeks, so today I was trying to remove the side moldings around the windsheild. After removing the single screw at the bottom of the piece, I carefully began to pull up on the A-pillar molding. After breaking all the clips that hold the molding on to the pillar, I decided that it may be a better idea to ask the online gurus how to get these peices off without destroying them.

I pretty much want to remove all the little black trim pieces around the windshield and on top of the door frame. Is there a way to do this while keeping the pieces intact? Also, what kind of paint do you guys recommend for these pieces, semi gloss black?

And are those a-pillar trim clips still available from the dealership?

Thanks guys/gals!

 

The plastic clips holding the molding in are pretty much sacrificed for this type of work. Over the years they have become too brittle.

Any paint shop or glass shop should have them in stock though. Victoria British may have them too.

 

Whole packs of clips for the entire car are available from any auto glass place. Mine were about $12 Cdn.

Just wait until you try to get the drip rails off. I haven't pulled mine yet, but I've been told they're almost impossible to get off in one piece.

 

the best way to take the drip edge off that i have found is an old type bottle opener works real good for me

 

Leave the drip rail moulding on. They are easily tweaked and I have not found the plastic clips needed to reinstall them yet. Those are the only parts not on my widebody, and I have 3 sets of rails that will not stay on.

Winshield trim clips are sacrificial, VB does have them and the new ones can break as easy as the old ones. Luckily the local glass shop had an open package laying around and gave it to me when I broke 2 of the smaller clips re-installing the lower trim piece.

 

trochoid: Hmm., leave them on? Makes for a crappy paintjob on the car, and then you can't get the windows drip edges powdercoated. I didn't think they were held on by an clips, just press fitted to the car. Surely there must be a safe way to get the off?

 

Ron- I think the way the drip rails attach is by sliding them on from the front, so once your windshield mouldings are off, the rails pull forward towards the front of the car. Paint is semi-gloss - and I'm tellin' ya bro: powdercoat is the way to go!
Stu in Alaska
80GS

 

There is a plastic insert, spacer/clip like, that slides inside the drip rail. The rails can rolled off, the beer ,cap idea or slid to the back and off. Former is the better method. The choice is yours, and yes, for a proper paint job, they should be removed. I may end up using rtv to get mine on eventually. So far, that is the most workable idea I have come up with.