Windshield/Birdcage Trim Removal help
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Pennington NJ
Windshield/Birdcage Trim Removal help
I'm in the process of doing various things to my interior/birdcage of my car which is a 1974 Coupe. I have much of the Birdcage trim removed, but there are a few pieces that I cant seem to find out how to remove them. I need to remove the back trim pieces (number 4), the side trim "blocks" (number 1), and the windshield surrounding trim (number 2). Also under the main T-Top trim there was this thick strip of some material....what is that and should I save it and replace it when I'm done? My plan is to have the WS removed by a pro, POR 15 the whole birdcage, then reinstall the WS and rebuild from there. Is there anything I should lookout for WS removal/install wise by the pro? Also, the previous owner sealed all of the T-Top/Birdcage trim with silicone caulk it seems, should I reseal the whole thing again or just leave it unsealed (which I guess is "factory").
For number 1, I have the 2 screws out from the "front" and I dont know what else is holding it in. I also need to know how you remove the weather stripping from the front and back pillars.
For 4 I have the underside screws out and the inner rivets drilled out, but they still wont come out.
What should I do for the things I have listed?
Thanks,
Will
For number 1, I have the 2 screws out from the "front" and I dont know what else is holding it in. I also need to know how you remove the weather stripping from the front and back pillars.
For 4 I have the underside screws out and the inner rivets drilled out, but they still wont come out.
What should I do for the things I have listed?
Thanks,
Will
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Pennington NJ
Will
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 624
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From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months
I'm in the process of doing various things to my interior/birdcage of my car which is a 1974 Coupe. I have much of the Birdcage trim removed, but there are a few pieces that I cant seem to find out how to remove them. I need to remove the back trim pieces (number 4), the side trim "blocks" (number 1), and the windshield surrounding trim (number 2). Also under the main T-Top trim there was this thick strip of some material....what is that and should I save it and replace it when I'm done? My plan is to have the WS removed by a pro, POR 15 the whole birdcage, then reinstall the WS and rebuild from there. Is there anything I should lookout for WS removal/install wise by the pro? Also, the previous owner sealed all of the T-Top/Birdcage trim with silicone caulk it seems, should I reseal the whole thing again or just leave it unsealed (which I guess is "factory").
For number 1, I have the 2 screws out from the "front" and I dont know what else is holding it in. I also need to know how you remove the weather stripping from the front and back pillars.
For 4 I have the underside screws out and the inner rivets drilled out, but they still wont come out.
What should I do for the things I have listed?
Thanks,
Will
For number 1, I have the 2 screws out from the "front" and I dont know what else is holding it in. I also need to know how you remove the weather stripping from the front and back pillars.
For 4 I have the underside screws out and the inner rivets drilled out, but they still wont come out.
What should I do for the things I have listed?
Thanks,
Will
On my 71 convertible, the windshield has to be removed before # 1 can be removed cause there are screws under the # 2 trim that are blocked by the windshield. I would let a pro remove the #2 trim and the windshield first off. There are little clips that hold # 2 in place and it is easy to chip the edge of the glass if you are not experienced. I do not know if your setup is the same on the windshield but I would guess that it may be. Hopefully someone else can chime in with more info.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,330
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Will,
I'll start with number 2. The weatherstrip is is glued in a long black metal retainer that's screwed to the windshield pillar. You need to look carefully at the w-strip to see 3-4 tiny holes that let you reach a phillips screwdriver through the weatherstrip to get at the screws.
The number 1 piece of trim... by front screws do you mean the 2 partially hidden by the windshield glass itself? If you've gotten those out there must just be caulk/sealer holding it in place. If those 2 screws are still there you really chance cracking your windshield getting the screws out with the glass still there.
The w-strip at the rear of the side glass is held into a metal retainer by glue and 1 pop rivet at it's bottom.The halo trim sounds like the sealer is holding it on since it sounds like you've found the screws under the interior trim.
Regards,
Alan
If you're getting your car this far apart you should consider buying an AIM.
I'll start with number 2. The weatherstrip is is glued in a long black metal retainer that's screwed to the windshield pillar. You need to look carefully at the w-strip to see 3-4 tiny holes that let you reach a phillips screwdriver through the weatherstrip to get at the screws.
The number 1 piece of trim... by front screws do you mean the 2 partially hidden by the windshield glass itself? If you've gotten those out there must just be caulk/sealer holding it in place. If those 2 screws are still there you really chance cracking your windshield getting the screws out with the glass still there.
The w-strip at the rear of the side glass is held into a metal retainer by glue and 1 pop rivet at it's bottom.The halo trim sounds like the sealer is holding it on since it sounds like you've found the screws under the interior trim.
Regards,
Alan
If you're getting your car this far apart you should consider buying an AIM.
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 5, 2012 at 04:02 PM.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
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From: Pennington NJ
On my 71 convertible, the windshield has to be removed before # 1 can be removed cause there are screws under the # 2 trim that are blocked by the windshield. I would let a pro remove the #2 trim and the windshield first off. There are little clips that hold # 2 in place and it is easy to chip the edge of the glass if you are not experienced. I do not know if your setup is the same on the windshield but I would guess that it may be. Hopefully someone else can chime in with more info.
Also what about the weather stripping, I want to remove that to POR 15 behind it, do you know how to remove that?
Thanks,
Will
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
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From: Pennington NJ
Hi Will,
I'll start with number 2. The weatherstrip is is glued in a long black metal retainer that's screwed to the windshield pillar. You need to look carefully at the w-strip to see 3-4 tiny holes that let you reach a phillips screwdriver through the weatherstrip to get at the screws.
The number 1 piece of trim... by front screws do you mean the 2 partially hidden by the windshield glass itself? If you've gotten those out there must just be caulk/sealer holding it in place. If those 2 screws are still there you really chance cracking your windshield getting the screws out with the glass still there.
The w-strip at the rear of the side glass is held into a metal retainer by glue and 1 pop rivet at it's bottom.The halo trim sounds like the sealer is holding it on since it sounds like you've found the screws under the interior trim.
Regards,
Alan
If you're getting your car this far apart you should consider buying an AIM.
I'll start with number 2. The weatherstrip is is glued in a long black metal retainer that's screwed to the windshield pillar. You need to look carefully at the w-strip to see 3-4 tiny holes that let you reach a phillips screwdriver through the weatherstrip to get at the screws.
The number 1 piece of trim... by front screws do you mean the 2 partially hidden by the windshield glass itself? If you've gotten those out there must just be caulk/sealer holding it in place. If those 2 screws are still there you really chance cracking your windshield getting the screws out with the glass still there.
The w-strip at the rear of the side glass is held into a metal retainer by glue and 1 pop rivet at it's bottom.The halo trim sounds like the sealer is holding it on since it sounds like you've found the screws under the interior trim.
Regards,
Alan
If you're getting your car this far apart you should consider buying an AIM.
Ok, I'll remove the front side w-strip first. I have the screws out on the back (the side that faces you when you're in the car) not the ones that are hidden by the glass, I need the WS removed to do that. Should I leave the number 2 stuff for the WS guy to remove, and then before the pro reinstalls the glass, I should put back in number 1? I'll keep trying to remove number 4.
One thing, when I rebuild this stuff, should I use any kind of caulk or sealer, or put nothing? Did the factory put anything?
I do have an AIM, but thought that I may get more concise answers from the forum. I'll break out the AIM and see what it says.
Thanks,
Will
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
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From: Pennington NJ
Ok, So I have almost all of the trim out, I'm still working on it though.
Do you guys think a service like "Safelite Auto glass" would be able to safely remove the glass and then reinstall it using the proper methods/seals needed? I remember reading somewhere about the wrong seals installed could cause leaking (it was here on the forum I read this). Would I need to pre buy any specific C3 Corvette WS seals or anything like that? Do you guys know any other service in my area that could come out to my house and do this? I'm in Pennington, NJ 08534, it's near Trenton, NJ.
Thanks,
Will
Do you guys think a service like "Safelite Auto glass" would be able to safely remove the glass and then reinstall it using the proper methods/seals needed? I remember reading somewhere about the wrong seals installed could cause leaking (it was here on the forum I read this). Would I need to pre buy any specific C3 Corvette WS seals or anything like that? Do you guys know any other service in my area that could come out to my house and do this? I'm in Pennington, NJ 08534, it's near Trenton, NJ.
Thanks,
Will
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Hi Will,
I'll start with number 2. The weatherstrip is is glued in a long black metal retainer that's screwed to the windshield pillar. You need to look carefully at the w-strip to see 3-4 tiny holes that let you reach a phillips screwdriver through the weatherstrip to get at the screws.
The number 1 piece of trim... by front screws do you mean the 2 partially hidden by the windshield glass itself? If you've gotten those out there must just be caulk/sealer holding it in place. If those 2 screws are still there you really chance cracking your windshield getting the screws out with the glass still there.
The w-strip at the rear of the side glass is held into a metal retainer by glue and 1 pop rivet at it's bottom.The halo trim sounds like the sealer is holding it on since it sounds like you've found the screws under the interior trim.
Regards,
Alan
If you're getting your car this far apart you should consider buying an AIM.
I'll start with number 2. The weatherstrip is is glued in a long black metal retainer that's screwed to the windshield pillar. You need to look carefully at the w-strip to see 3-4 tiny holes that let you reach a phillips screwdriver through the weatherstrip to get at the screws.
The number 1 piece of trim... by front screws do you mean the 2 partially hidden by the windshield glass itself? If you've gotten those out there must just be caulk/sealer holding it in place. If those 2 screws are still there you really chance cracking your windshield getting the screws out with the glass still there.
The w-strip at the rear of the side glass is held into a metal retainer by glue and 1 pop rivet at it's bottom.The halo trim sounds like the sealer is holding it on since it sounds like you've found the screws under the interior trim.
Regards,
Alan
If you're getting your car this far apart you should consider buying an AIM.
The windshield has to come out before the screws in the front of the corner trim pieces can come out. Less than a 50% chance that can be done without damaging the windshield. I would plan on a new windshield if you are going to go that far.
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Pennington NJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
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From: Fayetteville Arkansas
Www.Speakeasy.org/~pws/Corvette.htm
This shows it all on how it's supposed to be done and what is needed
Sully
This shows it all on how it's supposed to be done and what is needed
Sully
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
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From: Pennington NJ
Will
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From: Crossville TN
It's not that easy. The WS guy will have his method for removing/installing the windshield. That may...or may not...be the same as what the factory did. The "rub" will come when you start to tell him HOW you want the job done. At that point, he will either 1) leave; 2) tell you that YOU are responsible for the results (and then possibly not attempt to do a good job); 3) increase the price because of your "special instructions".
To stave that kind of situation off, you need to be very clear up front when you call them, that you expect the job to be installed the way it was done at the factory. At least, you will know where you stand with that situation.
To stave that kind of situation off, you need to be very clear up front when you call them, that you expect the job to be installed the way it was done at the factory. At least, you will know where you stand with that situation.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 3
From: Pennington NJ
Www.Speakeasy.org/~pws/Corvette.htm
This shows it all on how it's supposed to be done and what is needed
Sully
This shows it all on how it's supposed to be done and what is needed
Sully
Will
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 3
From: Pennington NJ
It's not that easy. The WS guy will have his method for removing/installing the windshield. That may...or may not...be the same as what the factory did. The "rub" will come when you start to tell him HOW you want the job done. At that point, he will either 1) leave; 2) tell you that YOU are responsible for the results (and then possibly not attempt to do a good job); 3) increase the price because of your "special instructions".
To stave that kind of situation off, you need to be very clear up front when you call them, that you expect the job to be installed the way it was done at the factory. At least, you will know where you stand with that situation.
To stave that kind of situation off, you need to be very clear up front when you call them, that you expect the job to be installed the way it was done at the factory. At least, you will know where you stand with that situation.
Will
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
I disassembled all of mine and then used piano wire to cut it loose, stripped the frame and did the cleanup myself. Called around and spoke to a few of the glass places and asked specific questions like have you yourself installed a windshield on an early C3? Asked a few patients of mine whom are mechanics in a body shop and asked them who'd they use? So I'd call around and just talk to some shops, get a feel for whom you would trust and ask if they have some pics of previous jobs.
I am having them set my windshield and then I will put it all back together.
Sully
I am having them set my windshield and then I will put it all back together.
Sully