vinyl top trim removal

[MoparMatt383]

I have a 73 barracuda that has a vinyl top. I want to get rid of the vinyl top because it feels like there is some rust started undernieth it. I have never removed any window trim from a car so i was wondering how to do it without damaging it becuase all my window trim is mint. I need to remove it all, the back window, windshield, and above the side windows. Any tips on how to do this would be greatly appriciated. Also any tips on removing the vinyl top would be a great help.

Matt

[Steve]

You'll need to remove the side window trim as the vinyl is brought around under the window trim. You have to pull the rubber weatherstrip out and you'll see screws holding in the moldings.

There is a tool you can buy to remove the front and rear glass moldings.

I think that I just pried on the rear vinyl moldings until the slide off to the side and then you can pull them up.

The top is glued to the roof of the car. I don't think that there is any way to remove it and save it, if you were thinking about that. Just pull on it and it will come off.

Good luck!

[MoparMatt383]

Thanks for the info steve.  I was able to remove all the trim and the vinyl top without damaging anything.  Patience was the key to that job,  I also was plesantly surprized to find the there was no rust under the top and all clean metal.  

[Steve]

You are lucky, my friend. I have some nice rot (nothing through the metal, just surface) at the factory roofline joints and on the rear deck panel.

Good Luck!
Steve