Reply to "Bodywork questions."

Peter, that adhesive on the stainless trim was added by a previous owner, not the factory. It may be that the PO could not get the trim to lay down properly so he glued it. Or, disturbing the windscreen gasket in any way often creates water leaks- most often, around the gasket-to-body seal. I have seen Panteras that were perforated with big rust holes clear through the windshield channel and down under the dash. One had such a bad leak, the relays under the dash were full of rusty water!

Adding non-glass-specific RTV from a hardware store to fix a leak generates corrosive acetic acid under the gasket during cure that then attacks the steel channel holding the gasket. Although the leak may stop, the resulting corrosion begins to attack the car's structure.

Replacing the $225 windshield gasket is not a sure cure either. I recommend glass-specific RTV if you do have a windshield leak; this kind exhudes a vapor during cure that is non-corrosive and quickly dissipates without damage. Glass shops the world over know this and sell glass RTV in clear, black and white. If you smell vinegar from your RTV, its the wrong kind for glass!

Straightening the stainless trim to fit a windshield gasket is a long, arduous process. At this point, consider just leaving it off.