The leading edge of the roof panel is showing signs of chipping and delamination. I plan to remove the black rubber trim from around the windshield to make the repair in preparation for paint. If I leave the trim off will the windshield leak? It may be a while before I get around to painting it.
The trim is just to cover the gap, does not water proof. It probably also cuts wind noise. They are just stuck into the caulk/adhesive and usually rip when you take them out so if you want to put it back you would have to use some silicone or some other adhesive to hold it down unless you replace the WS.
[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 11-10-2008).]
I tried leaving the weatherstripping out of another car I have and found that the butatrol (sp?) didnt hold up to well and my windsheild started leaking. I wouldnt suggest it. Second, if you want to reinstall the weatherstripping you will need to cut the last rib off, the one that bends over to lock under the windshield. it wont lay down if you dont. It may be more work than you want , but when I did repair my roof panel I removed the windsheild and reinstalled it after i was done. hope I helped . john
No part of the trim goes under the windshield. It has "feathered" ribs that help hold it in place. Also, it will not leak with the trim out, unless the winshield urethane is already screwed. The urethane is nearly bullet proof. Pull the trim out if you can. It will probably break & you may have to dig it out with a screwdriver (good chance of breaking the windshield!) or use a die grinder with a cuttoff wheel to grind/cut it out. Have fun, ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"
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12:03 AM
Ramblin Man Member
Posts: 113 From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Registered: May 2007
if the windshield has been replaced it should have been put back in with urethane not butyl ( was OE now can not be used. they want the windshield to stay in place in an accident now, Butyl was just a sealant ) some moldings are a christmas tree type and the newer style is a J type the best way to get it out without damaging the glass is to take a razor knife and cut the molding flush with the glass and get the top off then you can run the kinfe in aganst the windshield and then the body to cut the rest loose then at the botton of the windshield you should be able to get a hold of the molding and pull it out it may break but you can use a pick to dig out the rest. it is not that hard you just have to take it slow so you don't beake the glass. FYI I own a glass shop and I am a master tech. I have done this a few times. also never use sillicone on a car the acid in it will make the metal on the car rust. Urethane is what is used any auto parts store has it in a calking tube but if your windshield is still Butyl they do not stick to each other and no one sells Butyl anymore. in that case it would be better to pull the glass and replace it with urethane. good luck! let us know how it goes and if you have questions PM me. D.
I have the same issue with my roof panel. Can you tell me how you are planning on repairing the panel?
The damage should be ground out with 24 grit, & filled in with SMC filler. If it has holes, you should mix a little fiberglass mat (chopped with scissors) in with the SMC filler. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"
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12:12 PM
Synthesis Member
Posts: 12207 From: Jordan, MN Registered: Feb 2002
No part of the trim goes under the windshield. It has "feathered" ribs that help hold it in place.
Wrong.. Some trim has a lip that goes around the outside edge of the glass on the windshield. It all depends on what trim gets used by the glass company on a replacement windshield... Christmas Tree molding works, but many companies now use that preinstalled edging prior to putting the glass into place now.
I had it on mine on two different windshields.. It wouldn't seat right on the second one, so I pulled it out and put in the feathered rib molding.
Wrong.. Some trim has a lip that goes around the outside edge of the glass on the windshield. It all depends on what trim gets used by the glass company on a replacement windshield... Christmas Tree molding works, but many companies now use that preinstalled edging prior to putting the glass into place now.
I had it on mine on two different windshields.. It wouldn't seat right on the second one, so I pulled it out and put in the feathered rib molding.
Well it didn't come that way from the factory. I'm sure there are folks out there that will use any crap they can find when putting something back together. (I've seen a lot of half-assed work over the decades...) ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"
