Anodize window trim in place ???
 

My '77 Targa came with all the trim pieces anodized black. Now, over the years of washing, waxing, and polishing the black anodized trim pieces around the front and rear windows, they look like dull silver. I've been told that I can replace them fairly cheaply with new black anodized trim pieces, but the windows would have to come out - which will make the project extra difficult and costly. Just looking at these trim pieces I would think the the trim pieces would have been the "last thing on" and therefore should be the "first thing off" - and thus a lot simplier job. If I do have to remove the glass to get at the trim would it be possible to "anodize" the trim pieces in place instead?? or does "anodize" require an electric current that prohibits an "easy solution" ? Thanks for any ideas!
Litning

I think a lot of the trim is a pretty integral part of the window seals, so to do anything right you'll probably need to remove it.

Search "powder coat trim" too, it's another option available to you, especially if you want a little more opacity to the black color.

The trim can be removed however you will NEVER get it re-installed into the rubber groove of the window seal while the seal and glass are still in the car. I doubted this myself until I tried it.... Not gonna happen.

You could carefully tape off the trim and paint them in place, but the surefire way is to remove the windows then carefully remove the trim being VERY careful not to bend the trim then refinish and re-install.

anoding requires immersion in a salt solution and running an electric current thru the piece. it cannot be done in place.
powder coating involves electrostatically appling powder then cooking in an oven to 400 degrees. it cannot be done in place.
your only option is to paint, sadly that is not the most durable way to go.

Check out this post for discussion about the windscreen trim (an excellent resource if you are going to attempt removal and replacement) esp posts 16, 36 & 65 by Randy Blaylock

Thanks for the info and references guys. Geeeeeezzz you'd think that they could have found a easier way to install and replace windshields, etc. I did have the windshield replaced 20 years ago due to a crack but I think the anodized trim was still black enough back then that it didnt bother me. Now, because I hear that there is a marginal success rate for removing the Targa glass, it doesnt seem to make much sense to remove both front and back pieces of glass just to cosmetically change from the silvery look of two small trim pieces back to the original black anodized trim - although I it looks better with my original Burgandy Metallic paint job with all of the other black trim!

I find rebuilding engines easier than working with this trim. I would recommend that you mask the whole car and simply paint the trim black. Truly, you are asking for trouble if you remove the trim and hope to get it back in there with out much effort and angst.

-Wayne

I used some satin black rattle can paint with some painters tape and had great results. I scuffed the trim with a scotch brite pad first