How does the A pillar trim come out?

[jagee]

The bottom of my a pillar trim has warped out almost 5 inches and I'm wanting to pull it out and try to heat it back into shape but how does it come out? Do I have to peel it off where it wraps under the door seal? Is there anything holding it on where it sits above the headliner?

[DMC5180]

You probably won't have much luck Heating it back to shape. Yes, you have to peel it away from the lip flange under the the door seal. An L pick, a hair dryer to warm things up and patience. I don't recall anything under the head liner the vinyl could be glued though. There are Fiberglass replacements available that won't warp like the plastic ones.

[WelmoedJ]

On some cars the other end of the vinyl is fixed underneath the windshield.
(My cars had the A post trim fixed that way).
In that case you also have to either remove the windshield, or cut the vinyl next to the A post trim.

Good and long heating until the trim is soft enough and then keeping it in its original shape until cooled down, will do the trick (anyway it did in my case).

There's a metal (aluminium) re-inforcement at the bottom end.
Make sure that's again fixed firmly to the trim in the proper angle.

[DMC5180]

With the warpage as bad as he describes, it probable has already pulled away from the wind shield sealant. If their is any still attached he can pull the vinyl away from that easily enough. The issue is that you need to pull the windshield in order to reattach the vinyl as it was originally installed. The fiber glass replacements won't warp like the plastic ones will do eventually again. These can be installed by folding the the vinyl over the edge and gluing the backing structure to the A-pillar with 3M rubber trim adhesive.

[jagee]

Mine is tucked under the windshield. What is the best way to cut it out? Just cut as close as possible to the windshield or can I heat it slide out from under the windshield? Sorry for all the silly questions but I don't want to try something and end up ruining the trim.

[WelmoedJ]

Questions are usually not silly.
Only the answer can be.

The vinyl on my A post trim was partially torn and what was still okay, was firmly tucked under the window sealant.
I would hesitate to heat the sealant as it also will heat up the window anmd may cause cracking.

I used a patato knife, bent the tip at about 45 degrees angle (carefully not to break it) and cut the vinyl as close to the sealant as possible.
I took the vinyl off of the plastic and heated that with a paint stripper (make sure not burning it), flattened it between two pieces of wood and recovered it with new vinyl.
If your old vinyl is still usable and has no decolouration you probably could use that too.

To replace the A post trim, use some RTV and a piece of wood and clamps to keep it in the right position.

[jagee]

I was looking around for new pillar trim and all I could find was new old stock.Where do you find the new ones that are made from fiberglass? http://www.delorean.com/store/p-9829-a-post-trim-lh-black.aspx

[WelmoedJ]

That question is not so easy to answer to.

I had one pillar replaced (too warped and not the right tools to fix it at that moment).
The other pillar only had little warpage and was quite easy to straighten.
Purchased a NOS one and had both redone in black leather (tough vinyl would have been possible too).
Most vendors have both pillars and vinyl.
Since I'm in Europe I may have more options as DMC Europe is quite inventive.

I am also not convinced that fiberglass pillars would be better, especially as the material often is thicker than the plastic originals.
After covering them with leather they would be too thick and may so cause problems (even with vinyl cover).
Be cautious in the material of your choice as you want your doors to close/opensmoothly and not get stuck due to lack of space in between posts and door.

[DMC5180]

I was looking around for new pillar trim and all I could find was new old stock.Where do you find the new ones that are made from fiberglass? http://www.delorean.com/store/p-9829-a-post-trim-lh-black.aspx

DMCMW or DMCCA (Don is the originator) but the other affiliates carry them too. Pricing is the same at any affiliate. Just pick your favorite shop.