Molding around back hatch glass
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Teching In
Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Virginia
Molding around back hatch glass I just bought a 97 Trans Am hatch to put on my 99 Formula. The molding that goes around the glass is half gone. It has the molding between the bottom of the back glass and the hatch, but none on the top or sides. Is there any place that sells just part of the molding or do I have to buy the whole piece? Also, do I need any type of epoxy or glue for the molding? Thanks.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
FWIW, the earliest 4th gens didn't have this molding around the top, although I'm almost positive they had it by '97. Is it possible that the hatch you bought was actually from an even earlier car? If not, then it's obviously just been removed or was damaged over the years.
GM changed this molding very early in the 2001 model year (it was previously glossy, and changed to a matte finish), so I doubt you could get anything new from GM to match the earlier finish which would have come stock on your '99 car. In fact, I think I've heard that even the later matte version has long since been discontinued. Not sure about aftermarket versions, I haven't looked into this myself.
GM changed this molding very early in the 2001 model year (it was previously glossy, and changed to a matte finish), so I doubt you could get anything new from GM to match the earlier finish which would have come stock on your '99 car. In fact, I think I've heard that even the later matte version has long since been discontinued. Not sure about aftermarket versions, I haven't looked into this myself.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 27
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From: Virginia
I actually ended up not buying it and just leaving it the way it is. I’ll see if I can find it again. I looked on a GM parts website and the only thing they had listed was reveal molding for the bottom part of the glass that goes to the hatch, but it was discontinued.
I spoke with Hawks Motorsports yesterday, and they claim a reproduction rear window molding will become available this spring. My window urethane is cracked, and I'm told it's a PITA to replace the molding with the glass installed. I'm leery of waiting that long to replace the urethane, so I'll likely only replace the urethane now. If the labor is reasonable maybe I'll do it all again after getting the fabled replacement molding.
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My cars stay garaged and they too were damaged so I just took them off for good. I cant remember what purpose it served but I think it wasnt nothing major, like keeping water out
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A local body shop ordered me one 2 years ago. It was like $120.00. All one piece. My dumb *** let it sit in my storage unit and one day pulling the box out and not remembering what the heck was in it I pulled it apart at one corner, so it was now broke. The glass shops I called said I can still put it on but the sun will shrink it pretty fast and the gap where it broke will keep getting larger till I have about a 8-10 inch blank spot with just glass. So I threw it away.
They all sais you install it without removing the glass, you slowly roll it onto the edge little by little all the way around. You could also remove the moulding completely and fill the void under and around the glass with black urethane until its even with the glass edge and the body of the car, then smooth it out. Let it dry.
They all sais you install it without removing the glass, you slowly roll it onto the edge little by little all the way around. You could also remove the moulding completely and fill the void under and around the glass with black urethane until its even with the glass edge and the body of the car, then smooth it out. Let it dry.