I'm going to get my windshield replaced very soon on my 69 coupe. All of the glass shops I have called say that "they don't do moldings" I'm guessing that means I have to remove them for them to replace the windshield. Is this very easy to do? The moldings aren't glued on are they? Is there anything else I should know from those of you that have done this?

 

You need a special tool to slip underneath the moldings, it slips between the moldings and the glass. There are two dangers. (1) If you've never done this, you have to slip the tool under the molding in the blind and hunt for the "tabs" that the molding is attached to. I did this many years ago on my 68 and was able to get the molding to snap loose, but not being experienced...it was the first time I did this, I did bend the molding a little and today it doesn't fit back 100%. If I had the experience of doing several windshield moldings I could probably feel secure of doing this with no damage. (2) the "tabs" are unplated and unpainted steel. For your 69, they are 42 years old. They very likely are rusted enough to just snap off if you try to pry the molding off. I've seen them for sale. The windshield repair people may be able to help you find who sells them. They are common to almost all all cars in 1960's and 70's and probably later years. They are attached by rivets. Easy to replace. One of the vette vendors sells them.. I can't remember who. I probably start by looking at Volunteer Vettes catalog. Maybe Danchick, they sell parts for 55-58 Chevy's. Hopefully a Corvette Forun poster will know how to quickly get them. I think before you replace your windshield/moldings you should have a bunch of new ones ready just in case.

Your local windshield shop probably didn't want to do your windshield for fear of the above 2 problems.

 

There has to be a real windshield shop in Seattle.

 

If you aren't comfortable doing this yourself, take it to Dan at Corvettes of Auburn. They can remove it safely without risking any damage to your trim. They may even be willing to do the whole job start to finish.

 

Hi n100,
Another BIG reason that some shops don't "do moldings" is because unless the new windshield is 'dry' fitted in place first, and the moldings' fits checked, there's no way to know if the moldings will fit snug against the glass.
Once the glass is sealed in place there's no way to fix the gap if there is one. It has to be right the first time.
Shops also want the trim off because the A-pillar weatherstripping needs to come off to replace the glass; they often don't want to be responsible for that either.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

I believe the long thin piece of upper trim is held in place by tabs that are part of the trim piece and slip into small rectangular clips that are screwed to the upper windshield frame. These clips and flat-head/countersunk screws are available from many of the usual venders. The A-pillar trim pieces need to be removed before the long thin piece can be removed since it's ends are under the side pieces. It's LAST off and FIRST back on.

You can see 3 of the clips in this picture, the one on the corner is most visible.