In a message dated 98-05-26 00:43:21 EDT, Modl6971 writes:

<< << why paint them???  rip them out!!  easier than painting..

  chris
   >>
 I've been wanting to do something with that damn moulding also. Is it a good
idea to rip them out? Michael M. syncro >>

i always pull out that cheapo faded fake chrome plastic window trim.
i've done it on all my vanagons, and never had a leak.

chris