1955 Pontiac ? removal of front windshield trim ?

[SHERMAN1955]

I wanted to remove the front stainless windshield trim off a 55 Starchief 2-dr h/top. Any suggestions in the best way to remove. This car has been exposed to the elements and the rubber is quite hard and dry. Any suggestions are appreciated. I have someone in need of these mouldings and I did not want to damage them. Thanks in advance for anyones help.
Sincerely,
Mark

[Larry]

Most all windshield and rear glass moldings have bee held on pretty much the same for a long time. Both my '40 and '54s I've had are similar to later moldings.
I most all cases a clip which is fastened to the body along side the glass edge has a small hook or barbed-like finger that catched behind the rolled over edge of the chrome piece. If you just pry up on the molding you bend the entire piece or at least rip or damage the curled over edge which is captured by these little fingers.
I bought a small tool from J.C. Whitney many years ago which has been a life-saver. It is basicly a handle with a blade on about a 20º angle. On the end of the blade is a squatty arrow shaped design. It is basicly so that you slide the blade between the glass and the chrome molding piece and hook these clips with one of the side tips of the arrow. You then gently pull back on the clip and it releases the hold on the rolled over edge of the chrome piece.
Don't laugh, but I quickly drew a picture of this tool in PhotoShop just to give you an idea what it looks like. I would take a picture of the tool ant post which would take only a minute, but finding it in the garage will be an all night affair. It is safely put away in that special spot we put things we don't want to forget where we put them. I will find it the day after I buy a new one to replace it.

[SHERMAN1955]

I was able to get a glass removal person to help. The next one will be much easier.
Sincerely,
Mark