Ok I’m almost ready for my DIY paint job but not sure what to do about the rubber trim around the windshield. I’ve searched and there seems to be mixed results. Some say it’ll pull right out and then I can simply glue/silicone in a new one. Others say it goes in with the windshield and will not “come right out”. I didn’t really pick at it but it seems very hard and is probably brittle so i can't pull it back with tape.
Removing and replacing it would give me the best paint results but I don’t want to crack the windshield or create a leak.
What should I do?
Paint around it or remove it?
What are the real risks of a future leak or broken glass if I do pull it?
Can it simply be glued back in?

Don't risk taking it off. I've broken a windshield by trying this. The old glass is brittle. Can you take it to a local windshield shop and have it removed and a new one installed after paint? I'll bet it wouldn't be very expensive to get done. Best of luck to you!!

quote Originally posted by Nazareth: Can you take it to a local windshield shop and have it removed and a new one installed after paint?

Unfortunately no, I’m doing a panel off paint job so it can't be driven anywhere. Best i could do is call one of those mobile glass places to come to my house but i didn't want to spend the money on a new windshield. Figure if they have to come and take it out, might just as well go for broke and put new glass back in. I assume that would be $200 ish but haven't checked.

Thin detail tape and patience. I was happy with how mine came out doing it that way

I did a panel off on mine 2 years ago. My old front windshield molding was cracked , dry and broken. It was able to get most of it off without much work. The windshield is still fully sealed to the car when this molding is out. I purchased new molding from the fiero store and test fit it until it was perfect. I then used weatherstrip adhesive to glue it in place and used plenty of duck tape to hold it down until it hardened. Put it in the sun when doing this so the new molding will be flexable and better conform - especiall around the corners. Good luck!

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87 NB, 3800SC, 4T65E-HD, HP Tuners, 13.10 at 102.5 1/4 mile, Custom Dash.

If you are painting that panel on the car, you can take a small diameter rope and stuff it under the seal to lift it off the body then put some masking to keep the paint of the top of the seal. Pull rope after you are done and it should be able to be pressed back down flat. Wouldn't bother if the seal is bad though; just pull it and replace as the previous post said.

quote Originally posted by ConvictedRedneck: Thin detail tape and patience. I was happy with how mine came out doing it that way

Are you saying you just left it on and taped over it?

quote Originally posted by DLCLK87GT: Unfortunately no, I’m doing a panel off paint job so it can't be driven anywhere. ...

I don't understand what is the issue with that. At the end you still have to put all the panels back and can drive the car. On my old yelow car I asked the shop to remove the trim for painting. Then I took the car to a windshield place and they installed a new gasket for like $45. If it is brittle then is bad, will look bad and should be replaced. I bought the FS gasket for when I paint my new car but I still may take it to the windshield place to get it done. Just want it tight and well done.

quote Originally posted by DLCLK87GT: Unfortunately no, I’m doing a panel off paint job so it can't be driven anywhere.

quote Originally posted by Alex4mula: I don't understand what is the issue with that. .

It's already all apart and it'd have to be trailered ...and i don't have one.

quote Originally posted by DimeMachine: I did a panel off on mine 2 years ago. My old front windshield molding was cracked , dry and broken. It was able to get most of it off without much work. The windshield is still fully sealed to the car when this molding is out. I purchased new molding from the fiero store and test fit it until it was perfect. I then used weatherstrip adhesive to glue it in place and used plenty of duck tape to hold it down until it hardened. Put it in the sun when doing this so the new molding will be flexable and better conform - especiall around the corners. Good luck!

You can't paint next to the molding & have it look right, & if it's the original molding you can't rope it. Only way to make it look good is to remove the old molding, & replace it with a new one. The Fiero Store is the only one I know of that looks original (I don't like those wide rubber ones - they look like '60s cars to me).
I HAVE had to take the die grinder to get out parts of the old trim, though. Just be careful & you shouldn't break the windshield.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Custom Fiberglass Parts

quote Originally posted by Tha Driver: You can't paint next to the molding & have it look right, & if it's the original molding you can't rope it. Only way to make it look good is to remove the old molding, & replace it with a new one. ~ Paul

Ya that's what i figured. That and since the paint that's on the car sucks I'd hate to have the new paint start to lift because i didn't get it all off and painted over some. Oh well I'm sure it'll come right off....everything else has been sooooo easy with this one!

there is a tried and true method to painting and rubber components ive used with great results. first off of its rubber just mask off the glass and paint over the rubber.... dont panic! after the paint has had time to cure take a good quality hand cleaner without grit in it of course and rub the paint off but be careful not to get into the finished painted surface. be sure to do this between layers (i.e. primer, base, clear) also to have a fiero windshield replaced for me was 218 but was for a new one to be installed and it was done at my house. hope this helps

I just had one installed a few weeks ago. They installed a new rubber (it was wider than orig) and they glued the rubber on the glass first, then put the windshield in. The rubber had a little lip that went behind the glass. If you glue in your own new rubber, let it set out in the sun for a while first and be carefull NOT to stretch it around corners. I never had a glued in one stay more than a few months. Ive used glue, silicone and whatever else and it always came off. If the original rubber is still pliable, I use the same method as Driver, but use like 10 gauge electric wire, then tape it off with blue vinyl masking tape. Glass shop came here and installed it for $165.