79X19

True Classic
I searched high and low on XWEB for a good tutorial on the correct procedure of how to remove the rear chrome trim that outlines the rear window. As I am now getting my car ready for paint (it only took 4 years) I needed to get this trim off and do it without damaging the car or the trim in the process.
I did find some written reference on the removal of the trim but no pictures were posted of the process. I will preface this instruction by stating slow and steady will win this race. Do not press extra hard on your tools or think that just pulling up on the trim once you have it started will get the job done. You may end up putting a dent in your car or bend or destroy the trim piece or break the plastic under trim piece in the effort to save time.

This trim is held in place by friction and the friction is imparted on the trim by barbs that are located strategically along the welded seam. It is in these areas that you need to overcome that friction to remove the trim. In thinking about this I noted that there weren't too many places along the body adjacent to the trim or in the engine bay along the shock towers to gain good leverage. Also I needed to protect these areas from the downward force needed to generated leverage to gain sufficient upward force to remove the trim. I also wanted to guard against concentrated force that could bend the trim so the force needed to be square to the trim as I was taking it off. So my solution was to use some Cedar Shingles that are cut at differing thickness along the length. I could pile them up and make a nice firm square surface to gain leverage to remove the trim. This method also protected the body panels from dents.

My steps to remove the trim:
1. Start at the end of the trim closet to the tail lights, Doesn't matter which side you start with.
2. I used a very small flat screw driver that I bent in my vice to act as a trim removal tool. Pry up the end. Use firm pressure and increase slightly. As the end comes up remove the plastic finish trim piece.
3. Now you should have enough room to get under the trim and begin the prying process. Make sure to slowly progress up the trim toward the rear window.
4. Alternate from side to side as if you pull up on one side only it tends to bind.
5. Once you get enough of the trim up to get your hand under it you can gently pull up on it. You don't want to pull too hard as it may let go and then you run the risk of crease the trim at the bend,
6. Repeat the steps above until you get to the corner at the top of the Targa. There you will have to begin to lift beyond the curve as the barb is about an inch away from the corner.
7. Once you get it released of this barb you should be able to lift if all the way off with your hand.
8. Repeat steps for the other side.
9. I suggest you cover the trim with painters tape as the lifting tools some times slip off and you may scratch the chrome. Too late for me I learned this after I already marked mine.

The whole process took me about an hour start to finish.
 

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Nicely done!

Here is another recent thread which also covers the subject:

 
Last edited:
Yes it did. I neglected to mention that detail. Once I removed the first half of trim it slid right off.
 
When I was putting my 85 back together after paint, I grabbed a set of sail trim sitting in the pass compartment of the 78. After I got it all installed I noticed another set hanging off a shelf at the back of the garage. The set I installed was from a 77 parts car I stripped years ago. :( It is not as nice as the original set off the 85, but I decided not to go thru the uninstall process again since the paint was so fresh. I might get a can of black plasti-dip and see what it looks like blacked out.
 
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