Window Gasket sealant removal and beading at sunroof?

[Porchdog]

I've been dreading this job for years.

My windshield cracked this summer. I have a new windshield (Thanks Prosource!),
all new seals, a new headliner and a beautiful dash. The car is a 1981 SC that I've had for 22 years.

I very carefully took the glass out. All of the window seals were kind of brittle. There was black goop in the corners, but there also seems to be a black sealant all the way around. Very hard and very tightly adhered. Also kind of brittle once it moves - when I get it loose I can't peel it off the way you can usually peel rubber cement.

Any thoughts for getting this stuff off? An old, dull screwdriver can get it, but it's really hard and I don't want to damage paint. MEK softens it, but that doesn't thrill me either.

I do feel fortunate - no sign of rust.

Also, the inside of the sunroof opening under the headliner had this plastic beading, with cloth tape glued over it. Any hints on re-attaching that?

Thanks Guys!

[SCadaddle]

My other "hobby" for the past 40+ years has been radio controlled model airplanes. It's instances exactly like this where my hobby of model airplanes crosses over into the cars. My suggestion: Go to your local hobby shop and purchase a good nylon model airplane propeller. I prefer the Master Airscrew brand. $2-$3 at the most. Size 10x6 but take a look at them and decide on size based on the width of the prop tip and flexibility of the prop. Sometimes stiffer is better, other times it's not.

Use the prop as a scraper. I'd also use something like WD40 to soften the stuff up while you scrape it. The prop being plastic won't gouge into the paint to the metal. Trust me, you'll find 100 more uses on a Porsche for a model airplane propeller!

[Dpmulvan]

Maybe a hairdryer or heat gun on low setting.

[theiceman]

how about taking some photos to your local windshield replacement shop and ask them what to use . Im betting they will have a product or knowledge instantly available to help you. Lets face it this is not a Porsche issue , its a windshield replacement issue, and those guys would have far more knowledge.

[Porchdog]

Thanks guys.

I was thinking heat today while I was down in the welding shop - I'll try that tonight.

I should have a couple of old RC props - I will try those as well. I may need to devise a handle - this stuff takes some serious force. I had a couple of cedar shims that I used to help get the glass out of the gaskets. They weren't stiff enough.

[911obgyn]

I have used bamboo chopstix, carve them to shape and they dont scratch paint. when they get dull just sharpen with a pocket knife.

[KTL]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

Maybe a hairdryer or heat gun on low setting.

^ That and some 3M general purpose adhesive remover. The 3M stuff is nasty stuff so use gloves. Like the thick green or black ones for chemical handling. The typical thin nitrile mechanics gloves we use will start to dissolve after a few minutes of exposure to it. So it sorta goes without saying you don't want the 3M stuff absorbing into your skin........

[Porchdog]

I used a dowel sharpened like a chisel and a heat gun, Then cleaned up with cotton rags and MEK. It wasn't to bad.

Thanks Guys.