Just shoot me now!!! (window trim)

MetalEd · 10-22-2009, 02:32 PM

I followed all the instructions I found to remove window trim, but could not get the tool between the trim and the rubber. If you look at the first pictures of the rear window, at the top you will notice a bleed-out of moisture onto the rattle-can primer at the top of the window. I never new what this was caused by until today.
First I had to run a razor blade between the roof and the trim to remove tons of black weather-strip sealant (caused the moisture bleeding into the roof primer). That allowed the trim to lift slightly so I could get a razor between the trim and the rubber. For over an hour and a half, I have been peeling out dried up and wet black weather-stripping adhesive and a grey wet material I can only assume is seam sealer. Even when I found the clips, they had so much "tar" covering them it is insane trying to disengage them. I had all the clips removed for at least 15 minutes while searching for more, but didn't know it because the "tar" was glueing the trim down place.
Now that I have the first one off, you can see that one of the prior owners had filled the trim with this mixture of weatherstrip adhesive and seam sealer! The other picture show some of the mess I had to go through to get this one piece of trim off (without damaging it!) Now I just have to remove the rest of the rear window trim and start on the front trim that are all attached the same way! I thought the clips would be the hard parts... they are a breeze compared to this crap!
What will dissolve this stuff off the trim and the clips? Something I can soak teh pieces in? Acetone or lacquer thinner?

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65Rocky · 10-22-2009, 03:53 PM

Can not wait to hear how to clean poly off of the trim, I will be doing the same soon, I had a new front and back glass put in by the Windshield Dr. it was the worse, after two attempts it still lecks, and now the trim is dented to hell.

4reboy · 10-22-2009, 04:14 PM

I just scrapped the crap out of the backside with a flat head screw driver, then used steel wool to get the little bits that remained of. It worked wonderfully

Flash70 · 10-22-2009, 05:36 PM

Ditto what reboy said. I also used a little Goof Off as well though. Or tar remover works. Depending on how bad it is some Tire acid/spray would work as well. I am interested for when it comes time to put it back on. Hope you continue the thread then. Always easier to take it off/apart then to put it on/together

Least in my experience lol

JHPSTANG · 10-22-2009, 08:39 PM

Yes, please give more updates as you go on. I will be doing my windshield soon, so it will be useful.
I love the custom handle on the trim tool as well!

MetalEd · 10-23-2009, 12:46 AM

Get the 2-headed tool!
I worked on it from 7:30am-3:30pm, just cannot get it cleaned out enough to disengage the last 2 clips, plus they are rusted and I can't "grip" them with this tool. Wore off the point trying, need to sharpen the tip.
I finally took a break at 3:30pm, the next thing I know my wife is waking me telling me it's 8pm..... my whole left side is killing me.. I wish I had the 2-sided tool so I could try and get it from the other side (rushed out to pep boys and autozone this evening to see if they had one. Of course they never heard of such a thing...) So much for my day off!
Well, one more piece (lower rear window) and then I can start on the front window! This bottom piece is worse since the clips look to be rusted, the gunk I am pulling out and the tons of dirt that has also settled behind and under the back of the trim & clips. I can see the clips, just can't "grip" them. Check before you start yours and try washing out any dirt the next time you wash your car, before you start. I came so close to snapping this piece of trim off so many times.
I really should have taken more breaks and come back to it fresh, but I kept thinking I was so close to getting it... Just one more try.
Does anyone sell replacement clips? It would be nice to start with fresh one when I put it back together.
Yeah, the tape was because the padding kept slipping off, just on the first piece of trim. I am sure it has saved a few hundred scratches against the glass.

hiboostwoody · 10-23-2009, 01:08 AM

You might try non-chlorinated brake cleaner but it can be pretty harsh on paint.

Replacement Clips on page 218: http://npd.dirxion.com/WebProject.as...Code=mtg09flx#

MetalEd · 10-24-2009, 12:42 PM

After the overnight break, it only took 20 minutes to get the remaining clips from the rear trim.
Here's a tip, Work with it when it's cooler out. When it was 90 degrees out (working in the sun), a lot of the stuff is a sticky ooze. When it was just under 60 degrees in the morning, it was harder, solid chunks and a lot of it crumbles off. No strings of ooze stretching off, no liquid tar to clean off the scraper when I cleaned out the trim rails in the morning. A lot of adhesive remains that will have to be cleaned off with lacquer thinner, but all the chunks/globs came right out when it is cooler outside! (The pieces were out in the cold all night.. cold here is 50-60 degrees

)

THUMPIN455 · 10-24-2009, 01:36 PM

I got clips at CarQuest, most parts stores should have them in stock if they supply any body shops in the area.

hiboostwoody · 10-24-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THUMPIN455

I got clips at CarQuest, most parts stores should have them in stock if they supply any body shops in the area.

Good to know.