911SC Windscreen Trim Removal and Replacement

[keynsham1]

I have a 1978 911SC Targa which although is a sport and has black external trim, had silver trim in the front and rear window rubbers from the factory. When I had the bodywork restored, I had these trims sprayed satin black as I thought it looked better. It was a mistake though because now a few years on the black is peeling off and they look a mess. Is it possible to remove the trim from the rubber window seal so I can clean them up and then replace it without damaging the seals?

[faverymi]

I think the easiest and I've done it a few times is to remove (push) glass rubber and trim out of the car. All together.

Once you have it out and loose you can gently remove the trim.

Personally I would just buy the new shiny trim. It's not that expensive.

[universeman]

You can't easily get the trim out of the seal without removing the windshield entirely. You chance bending the trim which is easy to do.

Even if you could, you most definitely cannot, in any way, replace the trim into the seal without removing the windshield. So: a trim removal requires a windshield removal.

You can mask and paint the trim in place. I did that, and it's not that hard -- but also the results of rattle canning the front trim are not great - rocks and debris chip the paint off. It will last a while but not forever, as you've seen.

Some replace their glass with 964 glass and seal which does not have the trim.

It's very easy to bend the trim while it's out and while you're putting it back in, so be careful with it, go slow and gentle until it's in the trim. I've read it's best to pull apart the rubber and gently lay the trim into the groove vs push it in hard with your hand or a block or whatever - I agree.

Removing the windshield is dead-easy. Putting it back is a bit harder. Good luck!