Windshield/Windscreen Trim Installation

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My 73 Special is about 90% original and in pretty good shape but upon returning from a 30 mile drive the other day, I discovered the top piece of windshield trim had come loose and was flopping in the breeze.  The adhesive or bonding agent that holds it in place with the windshield and body had failed and allowed the air movement to lift it away.  This is a rather stiff, black paste that stretches quite a bit when trying to remove it .  Getting it off looks to be a long, slow process before trying to reinstall the trim.
There is an abundance of information on this site to explain installing a new screen and trim together but I haven't found any that talks about reinstalling the trim while the screen remains in place.  The profile of the trim provides a channel that, once filled with bonding material, is installed onto the end of the screen.  With the screen in place, this is considerably harder to do. 
I also have questions about what bonding agent to use for this assembly.  Some of the posts I looked at talk about butyl tape and urethane as possibilities.  I have some butyl tape and it doesn't instill confidence in me for this purpose.  I know nothing about the urethane .  For now, I intend to reuse the existing trim but somewhere down the road it will get replaced with new and it would be convenient that the bonding agent I use is easer to remove that the original stuff Lotus used.
Removing the existing bonding agent seems to be the most difficult task at hand.  Should anyone know of a simplified way to do this I would be glad to hear about it.

[314159td]

That thick, gummy black stuff you're finding may be mastic tape. Not sure if that was used originally, but it's helpful for installing windows and trims and the like.
If the trim is older, I would yank it all out and replace properly. The top edge will just let water in and ruin the dash, headliner, etc.

[dakazman]

  The windscreen adhesive will hold the trim down. Clean off as much as you can so the trim lays as flat and low as possible. Lay the trim down and apply masking tape along both sides of the trim .
Apply some primer to both sides and let dry . Then apply a thin layer of the windscreen adhesive on the body and glass area .  Then with a mineral sprits soaked rag (s) clean of the excess. Then liberally use some tape across the trim or if possible some weight. It’s messy but it doesn’t dry that fast that you get flustered or go into a panic.
  The materials I used are listed or pictured here :
https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=2058.2115
  I’m assuming it doesn’t leak and you can clean the loose gum off.
As 314159td points out.
  Dakazman
 

[Dilkris]

If the trim is older, I would yank it all out and replace properly. The top edge will just let water in and ruin the dash, headliner, etc.

Personally I would not do this - if your trim is of the original profile I would look after it with extreme care  - it is now (I believe) unobtainable and the alternative on the market does not match the profile of the stamped corner pieces.
(Please someone advise me/us if the original profile is available and from where.)   

[4129R]

If the trim is older, I would yank it all out and replace properly. The top edge will just let water in and ruin the dash, headliner, etc.

the alternative on the market does not match the profile of the stamped corner pieces.

Those expensive corner pieces can be shaped to fit new profiles.

[Dilkris]

.....Those expensive corner pieces can be shaped to fit new profiles.

I'm sure they can - and I'm sure they end up looking like expensive corner pieces that have been shaped to fit a differing profile. 

[gideon]

IMO you should remove the windscreen and bond it back in with a urethane adhesive.  Maybe you can re-use the trim, but I think that should be a secondary concern.  Safety comes first.  Butyl sealant was barely adequate when it was new and fifty years later it has only a tenuous hold on the windscreen. 

I removed the trim on my car by simply pulling on it and I was then able to push the windscreen out from the inside quite easily.  Far too easily.

[BDA]

If the trim is older, I would yank it all out and replace properly. The top edge will just let water in and ruin the dash, headliner, etc.

Personally I would not do this - if your trim is of the original profile I would look after it with extreme care  - it is now (I believe) unobtainable and the alternative on the market does not match the profile of the stamped corner pieces.
(Please someone advise me/us if the original profile is available and from where.)

rd enterprises used to sell a close approximation of the original trim and matching corners. It would certainly be worth a call to them.

[Dilkris]

rd enterprises used to sell a close approximation of the original trim and matching corners. It would certainly be worth a call to them.

Just checked their website and indeed they do - their trim is 1" as opposed to the original 1.1/8" - they advertise corner pieces to match the 1" trim also which is good news - not sure about shipping to the UK though. 

[BDA]

Lotus Supplies (https://www.lotus-supplies.com/parts/) has windshield trim and corners (https://www.lotus-supplies.com/part-category/bodywork/glass-bodywork/) as does SJ Sportscars (https://www.sjsportscars.com/) (https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ549.htm), (https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ556.htm), and (https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ603.htm). SJ also sells a bonding kit.

I have ordered from both SJ and Lotus Supplies (when it was Banks) and was never dissatisfied. Because the actual cross section of the plastic trim changes over time and between manufacturers, there could be fitment issues with the corners so I have no idea how they fit. Because I trust these guys to have the most appropriate stuff that is available at the moment,  both of these places will be able to set you up with something that will work.

[Dilkris]

Lotus Supplies (https://www.lotus-supplies.com/parts/) has windshield trim and corners (https://www.lotus-supplies.com/part-category/bodywork/glass-bodywork/) as does SJ Sportscars (https://www.sjsportscars.com/) (https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ549.htm), (https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ556.htm), and (https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ603.htm). SJ also sells a bonding kit.

..... there could be fitment issues with the corners so I have no idea how they fit.....

I too have used SJ sportscars, Banks, Paul Matty plus a multitude of other lotus support suppliers here in the UK BUT - I have yet to see  photo's from any member showing the presently available windscreen trim c/w the equally readily available corners actually fitted to a car.
Sourcing the windscreen trim c/w corners (which collectively look correct) is the very last big question on my rebuild journey. For me, these parts appear to be up there with ash trays - but maybe (and hopefully) some photo's arriving on the back of this post will prove me wrong.   

[314159td]

To be clear, I don't mean tossing salvageable original trim pieces. Trying to do piecemeal trim installation and window seal rework isn't going to end great, as the other sections are probably developing similar issues. Pull it off carefully and *reinstall* after forming a good plan to address everything. Anything happening at those top edges deserves a lot of scrutiny.

[BDA]

Sourcing the windscreen trim c/w corners (which collectively look correct) is the very last big question on my rebuild journey. For me, these parts appear to be up there with ash trays - but maybe (and hopefully) some photo's arriving on the back of this post will prove me wrong.   

If no photos of the trim on an actual car show up, then you’re left with pictures provided by the vendors. For my money, rd’s look the closest to the original and the fact that the corners are made for the trim would make them my choice. The original trim was flat but with a bit of relief. The trim from SJ and Lotus Supplies looks more rounded and smooth.

I remember back in the ‘80s there were no similar replacements. Unfortunately, that’s a common story about replacement parts for a low production vehicle that has not obtained the more hallowed status of historic classic cars.

[Dilkris]

  entirely BDA

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Here are a couple pictures of my windshield trim, which I believe is original.  If you look at the top one, it is quite clear that the trim and corner piece have two creases that I have not seen on any other source so far.  BDA accurately points out that RD’s trim is a close but not identical substitute.  I have already reattached it or I could have provided a profile of the cross section.  Here, the picture from RD’s closely matches, although it is slightly narrower.
When I reattached the pieces that became separated, I did so as a temporary measure and will eventually take all of it off to reseal it.  Still have a couple of details to work out and I didn’t want this to interfere with driving time left this fall.
The technician and Europa owner at the dealership said I could paint the trim to improve the appearance.  After viewing a sample of “Chrome” paint, I may go that route.  If I do, I’ll post some pictures for everyone to see.  The poor appearance of my trim is purely cosmetic.