Author Topic: Removing Metal Window Trim off of a 70 Cuda  (Read 10272 times)

Offline loco340cuda

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Removing Metal Window Trim off of a 70 Cuda
« on: August 19, 2013 - 09:30:17 AM »
Hey guys, I need to remove the metal trim around my windows on my 70 cuda.  How do you go about doing this without ruining it?  I have attached a picture to show what metal trim I am talking about.
1970 Cuda 340 4-speed - now stroked to 416ci (SOLD)
2017 Mustang Shelby GT350




Offline DocMel

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Re: Removing Metal Window Trim off of a 70 Cuda
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2013 - 10:33:52 AM »
Easy job

1. Remove weatherstrip:  Plan on replacing it if was glued in place  The roof stuff trim comes off very easy . Its held on by tiny sheet metal screws under the weatherstrip.  Take your time.  If anything takes any amount of pressure to take off, either you still have a screw still in place, or its rusted in place (rare),  as you take off the trim, mark them in order, what side they came form.  Beleive it or not, the stuff starts looking the same after awhile

Dont bend or crimp any of the trim.  Its expense to either replace and  expensive for someone to remove kinks or dents

2.  Door trim is easy, just a littles hard to get to, but no big deal.  Roll down window all the way.  Remove inner door panel, rest is self evident

Polish, or have a polisher polish your trim before you reinstall.  It will really bring out the looks

Offline loco340cuda

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Re: Removing Metal Window Trim off of a 70 Cuda
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2013 - 02:58:57 PM »
Thanks DocMel!   :thumbsup:
1970 Cuda 340 4-speed - now stroked to 416ci (SOLD)
2017 Mustang Shelby GT350

Offline DocMel

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Re: Removing Metal Window Trim off of a 70 Cuda
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2013 - 07:46:49 PM »
No worries:  I removed all of mine when I changed out the w strip  I polished the trim work and man, what dif.  Easy day   
Now front and rear window trim was a WHOLE dif story in my case!

Offline FY1Cuda

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Re: Removing Metal Window Trim off of a 70 Cuda
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2013 - 09:33:29 PM »
The door-top trim (belt molding) is held on by nylon clips except for the very end of the door strip.  On the lock end of the door you'll see a small stud and nut.  Undo those and then GENTLY pry up the aluminum molding from the clips with a putty knife.  Some people pull the strip,sliding it through the clips.  Either way works.  BTW, if you strips are nice, you might want to sand and polish the anodizing off and get them re-anodized.  The repros are super shiny but only have the one curve in them.  The originals curve both down and inward in the middle.
The window fuzzies can be pried off with the same putty knife.  Put knife between the painted door top and the window scraper.  Pry upward and inward.

Offline DocMel

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Re: Removing Metal Window Trim off of a 70 Cuda
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2013 - 09:51:39 AM »
Thats interesting  My car is a 71  (sorry, I didnt notcie the 70 in the original topic staring at me in the Face)

So now Im assuming that the 71 should have nylon clips, as I didnt have any at all, just small sheet metal screws.  Now I'm wondering if my trim had been buddified in the past

Offline loco340cuda

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Re: Removing Metal Window Trim off of a 70 Cuda
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2013 - 01:13:18 PM »
The door-top trim (belt molding) is held on by nylon clips except for the very end of the door strip.  On the lock end of the door you'll see a small stud and nut.  Undo those and then GENTLY pry up the aluminum molding from the clips with a putty knife.  Some people pull the strip,sliding it through the clips.  Either way works.  BTW, if you strips are nice, you might want to sand and polish the anodizing off and get them re-anodized.  The repros are super shiny but only have the one curve in them.  The originals curve both down and inward in the middle.
The window fuzzies can be pried off with the same putty knife.  Put knife between the painted door top and the window scraper.  Pry upward and inward.

Thanks for the additional info!  :thumbsup:
1970 Cuda 340 4-speed - now stroked to 416ci (SOLD)
2017 Mustang Shelby GT350

Offline FY1Cuda

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Re: Removing Metal Window Trim off of a 70 Cuda
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2013 - 02:29:03 PM »
One more thing: when you get down to the nylon clips on the door top, use a pin punch and hammer to drive the little 3/16" pegs from the center of the clips down into the door.  With the peg out, you can easily lift the clip off.  Then retrieve the little peg from inside the door.  I might have a few extra clips if some of them get broken.

Offline Edison1970

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Re: Removing Metal Window Trim off of a 70 Cuda
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2013 - 08:27:37 PM »
There was a adhesive tape between my roof trim.  I used a benzo torch and heated it slightly and the pieces came apart easy with no damage or bends.