Installing Windshield Stainless Steel trim?

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694spd

694spd

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I was helping a friend install the stainless steel trim that goes around the windshield on his 69 Dart GTS. He just had the windshield reinstalled with a new seal and also replaced all of the windshield clips.
Things were not going to easy on the first attempt, so we backed off not wanting to damage anything. Any tips on putting the SS trim moldings back on?
 
The clips are all not the same. Look very close and measure. Just a guess.
 
I just had the rear gasket installed on mine and I had the same issue. It was explained to me that because its a new gasket, it sits up a little proud and hasn't had the chance to shrink any, making it difficult to reinstall the trim. You're just going to have patience and be persistent.
 
We will also have to install the rear window stainless steel trim. That glass also has a new gasket.
Compounding everything is that the car also has had a new vinyl roof installed and the two seams in the vinyl material are quite thick where they meet the window channel.
I was just wondering if it make any difference to start attaching in the middle of a piece and work out to the ends or to start at one end of a piece and work across to the other end.

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694spd said:
We will also have to install the rear window stainless steel trim. That glass also has a new gasket.
Compounding everything is that the car also has had a new vinyl roof installed and the two seams in the vinyl material are quite thick where they meet the window channel.
I was just wondering if it make any difference to start attaching in the middle of a piece and work out to the ends or to start at one end of a piece and work across to the other end.

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Lay out all of the pieces on the floor like you’d assemble them. Some pieces overlap other pieces at their joint. Start with the pieces that are overlapped first and work your way around.

Be sure to place some painters tape along the lip of the body channel so you won’t accidentally chip the paint if the trim piece slips from your grip.
 
1969383S said:
The clips are all not the same.
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Very true, my Dart for an example use the short clips horizonal the longer clips vertical down the post, the number of clips depends on if the vinyl runs down the front posts.

Tinmannz said:
new gasket, it sits up a little proud
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Yes, heat is your friend here, wrong time of the year to let sit out in the sun. I used a hair dryer and gently applied heat around the gasket area and use my palm to gently push the windshield into the car compartment. The gasket should be flat and not sitting up proud

Exercise the clips with your thumb it doesn't take much, do not use a pry tool here. Also when I ordered my rear window gasket, I was asked if the car had a vinyl top or not...something to consider here. I started my trim on the bottom first then worked up, finding trim pieces easier to install if they are interlock first....
 
@694spd How did this turn out? The glass guy was here yesterday and said that my clips were no good he couldn't get the trim to snap in. which is extremely odd because they were the same clips that held the same trim when the windshield was put in a couple of years ago. I just have the car painted so the windshield and trim has been off for a while.

So he said he was going to check another source, but I did a lot of searching and I can't find any other style of clip.
 
My clips were from OER I think. I had to pry them away from the body quite a bit. Otherwise the edge of the trim would hit the screws that hold the clips on and wouldn't snap in.
 
forphorty said:
My clips were from OER I think. I had to pry them away from the body quite a bit. Otherwise the edge of the trim would hit the screws that hold the clips on and wouldn't snap in.
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I probably bought mine from Vans. These seem to not grabbing th trim tight, I'll see if I can look closer.

If I need to get a new set, can they be replaced with the window in place? It looks like I can get to the screws.
 
I found the aftermarket clips are not as good as the originals, I replaced all mine with nos off ebay, cheap enough and held the trim nice.
 
plumkrazee70 said:
@694spd How did this turn out? The glass guy was here yesterday and said that my clips were no good he couldn't get the trim to snap in. which is extremely odd because they were the same clips that held the same trim when the windshield was put in a couple of years ago. I just have the car painted so the windshield and trim has been off for a while.

So he said he was going to check another source, but I did a lot of searching and I can't find any other style of clip.
Click to expand...

I have not been over to his shop in several months so I don't know if he ever got the stainless trim reinstalled. I will have to give he a call soon to find out what going on with the car.
 
Just had my 72 Dart done last week. New gaskets too. But I took it to a trim shop that's been in business for 60 years. The gentleman is 84 and still running the shop with his son. So he knows his stuff. Claims he did this stuff the first time the cars came off the line. Where could you possibly still find a shop like this? I did. I gave him new clips. He used as many old clips as possible and used very few of the new ones.

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