Okay, my last trim-removal job is also missing from my service manual: removing that rubber & chrome weatherstrip that runs along the right- and left-hand sides of the roof above the windows. My service manual has jobs 68-530 and 68-535, which both pertain to the coupe, but none for the sedan. The instructions for the coupe seem to imply that I'll need to remove the rear quarter windows to get at some screws that hold that weatherstrip chrome in place. If that's the case, I guess they just get masked off... not really the ideal solution, but I've only got a little bit of time left to work on it tomorrow.

Any help? Apparently there are different versions of the same service manuals floating around, because mine definitely don't include section 84 - in fact, none of my manuals have any info on the ventilation & heating systems! There isn't a "Chassis & Body, Volume 3" is there? Ah, well.

After these bits come off I'll snap all my "before" photos and trailer it to the body shop.

- Nathan
'83 240D, 255k
'00 New Beetle TDI, 29k

Looks like you are a believer like I am of doing a complete paint job. I striped my whole car down like you before I had it painted last year and these were the last items that a removed.
All of these molding are push fit to the drip rail, they are not the easiest item to get off and not damage them.
To start the removal there are three screws that run on the front leading edge of your windshield,you need to remove them first. I found it best to start at the back of the car first and with a dull screwdriver And a rubber hammer tap the bottom edge of the molding until it releases from the drip rail. You pretty much have to tap the molding every two to three inches to get them to release. This same method words on the black plastic molding but be careful as it will break very easy.

Good Luck and be sure and post those before and after pictures.
Joe

I ended up leaving this trim strip on the car since I was running out of time and didn't want to damage it in my hurry. I pulled off the black rubber strip, and loosened the screws next to the windshield so that the trim pulled up from the painted surface a tiny bit, but it seemed like the chrome trim was glued to the drip rail, so I left it alone. I had already broken some other trim pieces and didn't want to damage this chrome. I also left the chrome trim around the side windows; it also looked like it was glued into place. I also left the front and rear windscreens in place.

EVERYTHING else came off - headlights & taillights; bumpers & rubber bumper boots; door handles & trunk lock; sunroof; rubber seals around doors, trunk, hood, & sunroof; front grille; aux fan; wipers & air vent grilles; all the other rubber & chrome trim pieces. I also completely stripped the interior of the doors as I needed to replace a few things here and there inside the doors. I also have the engine & transmission out for a rebuild, so I completely stripped the engine compartment with the exception of the brake mc/booster, the steering box, and the A/C system which I carefully left unopened since it's still R12.

Well, I've got a few exposures left on this roll of film so I'll burn them on my joke of a garage then get 'em developed

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI