Has anyone removed a rear quarter window (360 or 430 coupe) without any damage to the paint or interior leather. I have a small dent on the black anodized side window trim-removing the rear quarter window is required to replace the trim. Thanks-
I have seen it being done with an oscillating tool (Fein Multimaster ) and a specially designed right angle blade . I think the chances of not damaging the paint are slim . It is rather irritating that the window must be removed in order to replace the trim piece . I have also read that in repainting its better to leave be , however in your case you have no option . If you do decide to remove the window , please share your experience
Thank you for your detailed response. The photo makes it appear more obvious than it is. My problem is that the car has no other defects. In the scheme of things there are worse problems
I would consider hiring an expert bodyshop to simply fill the ding, finish it, and repaint the trim with a SEM satin black. If done perfectly, it will be amazingly unnoticeable-- even to you who knows it was there. In my shop we have done similar repairs that are undetectable. Just thinking outside the box FWIW.
That is a great idea. I have one of the very best Porsche restoration shops 8 miles from my home. I will run it by them later today. They just recently did a complete service on my Modena. Thanks very much
Please let me know how this procedure works out. My shop thought it was a great idea and likely will attempt it in early September. Very much appreciated Anyone need a new left quarter window and window trim?
Filling and painting the ding makes way too much sense. Super simple and super cheap. Ripping out the window seemed crazy from the get-go.
On something like that ... Mask the area and protect the trim and all parts around. Use a fine line tape from 3m and mask the area in the rubber by getting it in the weatherstripping. Scuff the dent with a 80 grit and mix a little of metal to metal body filler. Block down and spot prime with a 2k primer. Wet sand with 400 grit sand paper the whole rale and use sem trim black. Been in the body shop industry my whole life and do more restoration stuff. But that's the way I would approach it.
That’s what my shop suggested They however are going to try matching the satin black and spotting it rather than painting the entire trim rail. I sure wish that quarter window wasn’t such a nightmare to remove. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I’m not quite ready to accept that repairing the trim is the only safe option. It occurred to me that perhaps the existing glass itself can be cut out at it’s periphery using a glass cutter, leaving the quarter window frame assembly in place. Then an L shaped knife could easily be used from the exterior to release the window frame assembly from the car. I look forward to the experts thoughts.
Absolutely. Actually, we have done just that type of repair to a rear quarter window molding on an older 911 (with the satin black trim) because some fool silicone-ed the molding in place and removing it would have destroyed it and the surrounding paint. At least those folks will be quite familiar with the satin black molding thing. Best of luck, Ken
The quarter glass and side glass are tempered glass. A glass cutter is not an option. While tempered glass is very resilient, it will explode into hundred of not to sharp pieces if stressed by a cut. It will not tolerate a cut, a drill or water fed edge sanding like plate glass. I have experimented with it with my own methods and have found tempered glass is what it is. You cannot do much of anything with it once cast. I'd have the ding filled. It will not be much filler at all, it will be the easiest solution (and cost effective) with the lowest of risks for paint damage and damage to the molding in removal. I would used the 2K primer on a brush to maintain the effected area and wet sand out as Clean 512 suggests. Just my .02
Looks like the OP is bound and determined to turn a very easy fix for a very minor ding into a potentially major expensive mess to make the car "perfect". If that little ding is bothering you that much, your Ferrari experience may not be much fun. I know, I know, be nice. Go ahead and rip the side out of the car and be done with it.
The last few messages have finally helped me to “see the light” Will have my talented shop fill and paint the defect and be done with it. Done!!
Some people overlook or overthink the simplest things. But have been in the restoration/fabrication/all the above .I guess some things are just easy for me
Parts to install the black trim rail. Extra rubber seal that fits into the channel on the trim rail, plastic spacers that fit between the trim rail and the car and new screws that hold the trim rail to the car. They will all be packed away unless someone needs them.
so, i have to tell u first that I've never removed any glass before although I consider myself an able mechanic. The procedure described below may not be recommended by glass specialists but hey, it can be done by one person. First, u need to remove the inner quarter panel. next 2 pics, i used a tool like this to piece a hole through the adhesives(from inside the car). Its not something you can do in one go, you pretty much have to punch holes here and there and mess up with the thick adhesive and use some sort of a plier to remove some, maybe a chunk of the adhesives. Piecing from outside the car is more difficult and easier to damage the glass, IMHO. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login next 2 pictures, after a chunk of adhesive was removed, then you are able to put the special glass-removing steel wire through that hole. one pic shot from inside, one shot from outside. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login next pic, Use a plier to pull that wire out. I have to use one hand to hold the camera, so you don't see the wire clenched by the plier in the pic Image Unavailable, Please Login next pic, wire coming out Image Unavailable, Please Login next pic, u then connect both sides of the steel wire to the special glass removing tool. Pic shows that I've already cut the adhesives all the way down to towards the front lower of the glass. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login then I stopped here, because I m tired and im paying somebody else to do it, fearing that I'll be damaging something. I didn't, though.