How to Remove Windshield Molding
Mold can grow anywhere there is moisture and darkness, and the inside of your car’s windshield is the perfect place for it to thrive. If you notice black spots or patches starting to form on your windshield molding, don’t wait until the problem gets worse; remove the molding and clean the windshield right away.
Molding around a windshield can become stained and moldy over time. This is a common issue, but one that can be easily fixed. This blog post will show you how to remove windshield molding and replace it with new tape or trim. Follow these simple steps, and your car will look like new again!
Seven Reasons Why You Should Remove Windshield Molding
1. It gives you the ability to install your windshield replacement over existing rubber.
2. It makes cleaning around the windshield perimeter easier because there won’t be any molding to remove and reinstall (and possibly damage).
3. If you install a windshield that is larger than your existing one, it will be easier to install over the old molding.
4. Aftermarket moldings might not come in various shapes and sizes as original equipment does.
5. If you want the appearance of a larger glass area on your vehicle, removing the windshield molding will accomplish the look.
6. If you want to change the color of your windshield molding, removing it will allow for a pain-free installation.
7. Removal is the only way to repair windshields with broken or damaged molding around the perimeter of the glass if you are using aftermarket replacement parts that are not manufactured with original equipment specifications.
10 Ways on How to Remove Windshield Molding
1. Heat Method:
Apply heat with a heat lamp, aim the heat at the edge of the molding until it heats up, then grab it with pliers and twist it off. If you don’t have a heat lamp or other heating device, use a hair dryer instead. Next, aim the hot air flow at the seam between the windshield and molding until it softens, and you can pop the molding off.
2. Squeegee Method:
Use a squeegee like what you would use to clean your bathroom mirror, place the blade between the windshield and molding and pull toward you while exerting firm pressure to ‘pop’ out the edge of the molding. Try not to get too much of the molding wet. The water repellency of the molding may decrease when it gets wet.
3. Scraper Method:
Use a razor blade scraper to scrape off the windshield molding, change blades frequently and use plenty of elbow grease when scraping or you’ll damage the windshield!
4. Plastic Razor Method:
Cut off the tip of a plastic razor blade, bend it at the ‘hinge,’ then slide it in between the windshield and molding to pop out an edge. Once you get one side loose, work your way around by bending/breaking off small pieces of molding until it’s all removed.
5. Pliers Method:
Grab an edge of the molding using two sets of vice grips, locking pliers, or a similar tool, then pull them apart. You can also use an adjustable wrench to grab the molding and turn it counterclockwise to pop off the molding.
6. Adhesive Remover Method:
Use a generous amount of any adhesive remover on the windshield and molding, wait for a few minutes or until it becomes soft, then pull/pop out the edge of the windshield molding. Wipe off any remaining adhesive remover with a rag.
7. Pry Bar Method:
Pry the window molding off using a pry bar and try not to damage the windshield in the process; you’ll need to use firm pressure when prying it up. This method can also help if your goal is to remove part of the molding, then you can cut the rest of the molding off with a razor blade or utility knife.
8. Fishing Line Method:
Run some fishing line underneath the windshield molding, then tie it to itself on the other side, loop the fishing line over a hook mounted on a pole/stick/towel rod, then pull back and forth until it pops loose.
9. Steam Method:
Point a steam cleaner at the windshield and molding, let it heat up for about 10 minutes, then pull/pop the edge off. If you don’t have a steam cleaner, hang a damp rag or wet towel over it for a while to soften the adhesive underneath it, then pull it off.
10. Hacksaw Method:
Use a hacksaw to cut the windshield molding off. If you have trouble cutting the molding, try heating it with a heat gun or a hairdryer. Once it’s soft, you should have an easier time cutting the molding with a hacksaw. When sawing, always wear safety goggles to prevent any flying debris from getting in your eyes!
Windshield Molding Removal Process
Windshield molding refers to the rubber strip on the windshield near the top that helps hold your windshield wipers in place. It can crack or break over time, and if it does, you might want to replace it. Here we have given the process on how to remove windshield molding. If you do, it’s pretty simple to do.
Step 1: Clean the Windshield
Before you can remove the windshield molding, you need to clean off all of the dirt built up around it. You may have to use a flat head screwdriver or scraper to get underneath the strip and pull out some dirt. Once it is all gone, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2: Disconnect Wipers
Locate the windshield molding clips that hold your windshield wipers in place. You’ll need to disconnect these clips first. They are spring-loaded, so you might want to use some needle-nose pliers for this part of the job. Once you’ve disconnected the wipers, you can proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Remove Windshield Molding Itself
Once your windshield molding clips have been removed, it’s time to remove the actual molding from the car itself. Using a flat head screwdriver or scraper, carefully pry up on the molding until it pops off. It’s glued on pretty well, so you might have to work it a bit to get it loose.
Step 4: Replace Windshield Molding
After you’ve removed the old windshield molding from the car, it’s time to put a new one in its place. You can use the same kind of glue or cement originally used since it’s a very effective sealant. After you’ve glued the molding back into place, press down on it for a few seconds to make sure that it sticks.
Step 5: Reattach Wipers
After you’ve glued the windshield molding back into place, reconnect your wiper arms to where they were before. Push down on each arm and settle it back into place so that it makes a good connection. Once you’ve reconnected all of your wiper arms, test them out to ensure they are in working order.
That’s all there is to it. Now, you can sit back and enjoy the look of your car again with a good-as-new windshield molding. You might want to make sure that you clean off the area where the old molding was before attaching the new one just for good measure.
Can You Replace Windshield Molding Without Removing Windshield
Windshield molding is the border on the exterior of a car’s windshield. It runs along the top edge of the windshield and protrudes around its perimeter to help protect against wind, rain, dust, dirt, etc. The molding is attached with several screws, commonly removed before replacing them with new ones.
However, the process can be time-consuming, so some people choose to leave the screws in place and replace molding without removing the windshield.
This is possible for people who don’t want to remove the windshield to change molding, provided they know how to attach new molding onto the existing screws or bolts already holding it up on either side of the car’s roof.
Unfortunately, replacing molding in this way can be difficult because it requires removing the screws or bolts without unscrewing them too much and loosening the entire windshield in the process.
How Do You Remove Rubber Trim From Windshield
Removing the molding is not all that difficult. You can remove them using two methods. The first method uses a standard razor to cut through the adhesive, removing it completely. Some people prefer this method because there are no harsh chemical solutions needed for this one. The second method requires you to purchase a product known as Goof Off.
This is a popular product that works well in removing adhesives and other substances from various surfaces. Spray the windshield molding with this solution, put on your rubber gloves to protect your hands from any chemicals that might get onto them, and then wait for about ten minutes before you start peeling off parts of the adhesive strip.
Then, continue applying the product in small amounts until you remove the entire strip.
Conclusion
Windshield molding is a common accessory for cars and trucks, but it can deteriorate or become damaged over time. If this happens to your windshields, we recommend removing the old moldings and replacing them with new ones. This will not only improve the appearance of your car’s exterior but also provide protection from damage that may occur in future collisions.
To remove these obstructions, you’ll need various tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, hammers, etc., depending on what type of vehicle you have. You might be able to do some DIY work yourself if you’re handy enough; otherwise, consult a professional who has experience with automobiles before starting any project like this one!
We hope this blog post on how to remove windshield molding has been helpful. If you have any questions or want to know more, then feel free to comment below!
Louis Wein
Louis has always been fascinated by cars. He loves the way they look, the sound of the engine, and how they make him feel when he's driving. He is always keen to learn more about different mechanics of cars and how the engine contributes to other aspects of the car. As an automotive technician with over 10 years of experience, he knew how they worked and loved taking them apart to see how they went back together. He was especially interested in the mechanics of combustion engines and loved finding ways to make them more efficient. He loves to work on cars and help people keep their vehicles running smoothly. As a senior editor, he enjoys contributing to Diy quickly because it allows him to share his knowledge and expertise with others.
