I was hoping I wouldn't have to remove the trim piece at the base of the dash/windshield, but it's cracked. How is it removed? Can it be done without taking out the windshield? The 2 top dash vents are tired looking too. I was thinking of painting those black. Is that a good idea or does someone have a better solution?
Click to view attachment
Full Version: Dash/windshield trim
It's vinyl glued down. Grab and pull. I used adhesive remover to take the old glue up. Installation is the reverse as they say...
Can't tell... Windshield should be out for this restoration. Is it?
Can't tell... Windshield should be out for this restoration. Is it?
Are we talking about the same piece? I'm refering to the thin strip at the base of the winsshield.
No, the windshield is still in. Is there no way to do it with it in?
No, the windshield is still in. Is there no way to do it with it in?
QUOTE(e_artiles @ Sep 14 2013, 12:30 PM) 
Are we talking about the same piece? I'm refering to the thin strip at the base of the winsshield.
No, the windshield is still in. Is there no way to do it with it in?
Ahh, that. It is available from 914Rubber.Com in a form that can be put in with the window in place. That said, I am not sure you can get the old one out without destroying the vinyl. It really isn't that hard a one-man job to pull the windshield and redo the vinyl.
It looks like the lower windshield to dash seal that you are referring to.
On my brothers car I had the windshield out when I removed it.
914rubber sells that seal and the ad states it can be installed w/o removing the windshield.
http://shop.914rubber.com/914-Windshield-t...Seal-914WDS.htm
On my brothers car I had the windshield out when I removed it.
914rubber sells that seal and the ad states it can be installed w/o removing the windshield.
http://shop.914rubber.com/914-Windshield-t...Seal-914WDS.htm
That's the one. To take off the old one you can use a dental pick and a needle nose pliers to help pull it off.
That seal is not easy getting out but can be with windshield in and harder to put back in, post any good progress. John
If original, its rubber coated steel similiar to the windshield and rear deck seals, and comes out easily by pulling....unless its badly rusted. If rusted you have to yank it out in pieces. Just grab it on the end with a hook and work it out.
The new stuff goes in easily by pushing it on the sheet metal.
If you are going to pull out the dash or windshield anyway that will make it easier but its not hard at all if its not rusted, a bit of a chore if it is rusted but doable.
You have already noticed you will have to get the vents out from under the trunk. Perhaps you could tape things off and just paint the vents as they protrude from the dash. With fresh new rubber seal, yeah, the vents ought to get painted at least.
However far you go, it will look good and be worth the effort.
The new stuff goes in easily by pushing it on the sheet metal.
If you are going to pull out the dash or windshield anyway that will make it easier but its not hard at all if its not rusted, a bit of a chore if it is rusted but doable.
You have already noticed you will have to get the vents out from under the trunk. Perhaps you could tape things off and just paint the vents as they protrude from the dash. With fresh new rubber seal, yeah, the vents ought to get painted at least.
However far you go, it will look good and be worth the effort.
I'd pull the vents out. It means pulling the front HVAC system apart, but it will be worth the effort. I painted mine mat black and they look so much better
QUOTE(eyesright @ Sep 15 2013, 09:28 AM)
If original, its rubber coated steel similiar to the windshield and rear deck seals, and comes out easily by pulling....unless its badly rusted. If rusted you have to yank it out in pieces. Just grab it on the end with a hook and work it out.
The new stuff goes in easily by pushing it on the sheet metal.
If you are going to pull out the dash or windshield anyway that will make it easier but its not hard at all if its not rusted, a bit of a chore if it is rusted but doable.
You have already noticed you will have to get the vents out from under the trunk. Perhaps you could tape things off and just paint the vents as they protrude from the dash. With fresh new rubber seal, yeah, the vents ought to get painted at least.
However far you go, it will look good and be worth the effort.
....Caannnn you dig it!!..it villl verkk
QUOTE(eyesright @ Sep 15 2013, 09:28 AM)
If original, its rubber coated steel similiar to the windshield and rear deck seals, and comes out easily by pulling....unless its badly rusted. If rusted you have to yank it out in pieces. Just grab it on the end with a hook and work it out.
The new stuff goes in easily by pushing it on the sheet metal.
If you are going to pull out the dash or windshield anyway that will make it easier but its not hard at all if its not rusted, a bit of a chore if it is rusted but doable.
You have already noticed you will have to get the vents out from under the trunk. Perhaps you could tape things off and just paint the vents as they protrude from the dash. With fresh new rubber seal, yeah, the vents ought to get painted at least.
However far you go, it will look good and be worth the effort.
Unfortunately they are almost always rusted, it's often one of the reasons it cracks. Not fun to get out but easy to install. Well worth the effort.
The trim piece came off quite easy. It was very brittle though, so it cracked as I was removing it. Once I got I few pieces cracked off, I grabbed the metal spline below it with a pair of needle nose pliers and pulled it off the rest of the way.
You know now you showed us the before, we need to see the after 
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.