Stainless roofline trim sections

[2SwissTriumphs]

Hi folks,

I´ve been removing all the stainless trim from my project car recently and so far it´s all come off fairly easily with just some care, patience and trim removal tools. However, the 2 long pieces up the A-pillar and along the roofline are proving extremely difficult to manage. I´m starting from the back where they seem to be easier to begin and really trying not to damage them but they have a very strong grip and are starting to bend before they come free

Am I missing a trick ? Has anyone got any good tips on getting these off alive ?!

Thanks,
Martin.

[Alan Chatterton]

You need a piece of wood. They need to be gently tapped free from the bottom, out.
It's fiddly but with care it can be done.
Once the bottom pops out then the top bit can be lifted up and off.

[2SwissTriumphs]

Thanks Alan, i´ll give that a go - might soak them in WD40 for a while first as there´s bound to be a load of rust helping them stay put !
With a bit of luck i´ll still have some fingernails to speak of by the end of tomorrow

[laurence]

Martin,
The trims are very tricky to remove,i recall when i did it on my Mk1 project car it was necessary to carefully lever them off from each end, maybe i was lucky, but they were not damaged. In the meantime i have decided not to put them back, preferring the look of the car without them,-too much bling for my taste!. If yours don't make it let me know,
cheers,
Laurence.
ps,-my Mk1 will be heading for Lake Como via Switzerland , may, next year

[TedTaylor]

Yes as Alan says.

However use a piece of hard wood with a good square edge, though if they are really tight and the edge of the wood chews over you may need a piece of hard aluminium .... or even a wide-ish square piece of steel (wide ground back end of an old large screwdriver) that can be placed against the edge of the trim and VERY CAREFULLY encourage with a hammer. Too brutal with it and it is so easy to damage the trim.

Ted

[2SwissTriumphs]

That´s very kind Laurence, hopefully it´s an offer I won´t need to take you up on but it´s nice to know I can if it all goes pear-shaped !

When are you heading to Switzerland ? You would be more than welcome to come and visit, although i´m not strictly on the way to Italy, it´s not too far off the route !

Thanks also to Ted for the tips

Regards,
Martin.

[laurence]

Hi Martin,
The plan is to visit villa d'est, there are some lovely cars to see at the meet in late May and the good lady wife just enjoys being in the Italian/Swiss lakes area, hopefully can also take in Brescia and some Alpine drives at the same time. Friends have a small place on Lake Como, so it is a nice opportunity. Always happy to drop in on mutual Mk1 petrolheads!, and it would be good to see your project will keep you posted of plans
cheers ,
Laurence

[2SwissTriumphs]

Success

Blimey they were tight, but after 12 hours WD40 soaking and plenty of gentle hammer and wood persuasion, the trims are off with only minor warpage. I should be able to massage out the little bends in them, at least there are no creases or kinks.

Do still feel free to drop by Laurence, even if your spares are not needed, you and your good lady are still most welcome !

Martin.