I am about to put my Roadster in for a respray and would like to replace the trim around my windscreen as the plastic has become brittle and chipped in places. Does anyone know if I can replace this trim without removing the screen. If so, is it a DIY job or does it take special tooling?
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Wow, that was quick! Thanks. Looks like a screen out job then!
The screens are bonded in. If you don’t HAVE to take it out, I wouldn’t. A badly removed and badly refitted screen can be a source of rust problems around the frame, particularly at the bottom of the pillars.
Thanks Doug. You are not the first person to tell me the rusting A posts can be a problem. I don’t suppose you have any tips how I can tidy up the appearance of the black seal trim, do you? Rob.
If it’s tired and grey or even tending to white in places you can bring it back to black and ‘feed’ it with Autoglym Bumper Care - it’s a green Gel.
You might find that just doing that will make it look more presentable and less noticable. it’s what I use, anyway 
Nightmare screens to remove and replace, but you can replace the trim without screen removal, mind you it does help if your mate works for Autoglass and carries trim etc. He has a special device and wire for removing MX5 Windscreens and sometimes even he struggles. Autoglass have patented this device and do not sell it so no other Windscreen removal company has it. I could see him and get some trim but you would have to cut the old trim off which itself is fraught with danger, one slip and you have a nasty gash in the paint and maybe yourself, I always leave it to the Pros 
or it will end in tears.
Hi. This is sounding more like the solution I need. I have just rebuilt a Roadster that I rescued from a scrappie. It was very superficially damaged but otherwise in exceptional condition, in particulat the cills and A posts, so I do not want to do anything that will jeopardise the condition of these. However, the trim around the screen is very hard and brittle and already has chunks missing from it. As I am now preparing for a full professional respray I would prefer to remove the trim any way as I hate tell-tale overspray and masking lines. I did find a site that offers the trim for £12 but if this is as hard as the one coming out I can’t see how I would get it back in after respray. I would be really interseted to hear what your mate thinks? How near to the West Mids is he?
Might be worth investigating the chomed plastic windscreen surround sold by MX5parts. Depends if [1] you are restoring the car, or just doing it up [2] you like plastic chrome.
However, chipping of paint isn’t a problem if you are repainting the car; repaint the car with the screen removed.
Thanks for that, I will have a look straight away. I was really looking to find out how practical it is to remove and replace just the trim without taking the glass out, and I am getting mixed vibes about that. Going for a quick look on MX5parts than back to garage to work on the old gal.
I’ve just searched the MX5 site and can’t the product. I’ll look again later
Looks like they’ve dropped it. Moss do a more bijoux trim kit:
http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=4559
Hi Passel, Richyrich, and AT. Thanks for your help and advice. I have now spoken with Autoglass and Rejel (Rejel suppy the seal for £11 or £12). Both have advised that the only way to replace the trim properly is by glass out. I am further advised that this is ok when done properly and the seating is pre-treated with anti-corrosion treatment. The bodyshop that I am using (TRICKLICKS of Kingswinford, who I have used several times and thoroughly recommend by the way) has access to a fitting service that will remove the screen before painting and refit with the new trim after painting for £40.
Thanks again guys. I am glad I joined the forum and will look in regularly. Rob.
There is a high probability that the screen will be damaged during removal. I had my windscreen replaced recently by the now-defunct AutoWindscreens. The external trim just presses in to the gap between the glass and the windscreen surround. The trim was removed and refitted a couple of months later by the chap that resprayed my car - no need to disturb the windscreen glass again.
Hi Niggle, thanks. I am getting mixed reviews on this subject. Some opinion, including 2 suppliers, say that the glass has to come out. Following Richyrich you are the second to say it can be done without. Earlier today I had resigned myself to full removal but now I am not so sure.
Is your new trim pliable or soft? My existing trim is very hard, brittle, and non-maluable. I am thinking now that I should cut away the old trim to expose the edge of the glass, send off for the replacement trim and try it. Then if I can’t get the replacement in revert to plan ‘A’.
The new trim is pliable compared to the original moulding, which seemed very brittle (much like yours). I put this down to the original moulding being exposed to the elements/UV for the best part of 18 years.
Well Ican comment with some authority now that the trim around the windscreen of a roadster will not pull out. It is harder than a conker tree and stuck like the proverbial s@@@ to a blanket. I spent about 2 hours digging it out from 1 A post 1/8 of an inch at a time. I have now booked a man with a cheese wire to remove it prior to respray and refit after. The annoying thing is that when I bought my roadster I bought another as a donor. The windscreen was the single only item I did not remove from the donor shell before weighing it in!
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Just thought I would let you know, the screen did break on removal due to an existing chip. New glass £75 from budget windscreens, trim £12 from rejel, fitting £20 ie £107 all in.