Pontiac Rear Window Molding

[scotzz]

My rear window leaks and I have some surface rust around the lower corners....................I can lift the window molding up somowhat around the corners but seems to be locked in at the center. I thought GM cars had clips for the molding all around..............how is the molding on my '64 held in place?

[Larry]

This question was asked a long time ago so I went hunting for the little drawing I made at the time to explain the clip arrangement.

Attached is a (very!) simple drawing of the tool for removing the chrome.

Here's what is going on. Your trim has a very small rolled over lip that runs completely around the underside of the piece on the outside edge. The clips that are mounted to the body in the window "groove" have a small protrusion that engages this small lip. If you pull on the chrome, it will bend out this lip on the chrome. While this is not the end of the world, the fact that it usually does that AND breaks off the clip and/or kinks the chrome right in half, is the end of the world.... or at least the end of your chrome.

Use this tool shown to slide between the glass and the chrome. Wiggle one of the pointed ends behind the clip and pul lit towards you. You might have to also push down on the chrome a bit as you do this. This will disengage the clip part that is hooked into the small lip onthe edge of the underside of the chrome.

To see a drawing of the clip you are concerned with, check our On-Line Magazine article (page 2) at: http://www.pontiacregistry.com/members/online_magazine.php?view=1&article=120

To put the chrome back on, you just "clip" it on by pushing down.

The corners probably don't have clips. That is why you are able to raise it up a bit. If you can't find a tool like this (they sell them in JC Whitney), you can fabricate your own very easily now that you know the principle behind it.

Let us know how you make out.

[scotzz]

Larry...................thanks for the info. My neighbor has a '66 Chevelle which he is redoing and his windows have clips all around. He showed me the molding tool and he wanted to lend me his but I bought one since I am planning on doing this over the winter. My Tempest does not appear to have any clips on the lower quarter moldings except in the middle. So now another question................what is the material they use to seal the window?

Thanks, Scott

[scotzz]

I got the moldings off.................two clips near the center on both sides.....sealant looks good and only surface rust around the sheet metal ............have to take the top moldings off to see where water is coming in............