Ah god, I'm glad this job is done on my 53, I hated it, what a pita. I ended up trimming the area around the dash too. It went to harbor freight and bought these plastic pry tools to be used the way you used the paint can opener except it doesnt damage the windlace.
https://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-auto-trim-and-molding-tool-set-67021.html

PS, the guy that came up with the idea of cutting a small piece of windlace to test for pinch points in the tract should of been Knighted. Brilliant idea, because I think after it was installed on the assembly line somebody came around with a rubber hammer and intentionally hit the rubber and tract in several places to lock it in.

Last edited by sstock; 10/27/2017 2:20 PM.
1953 Chevrolet 3100
261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done
In the DITY Gallery
Video of the 261 running

1964 GMC 1000
305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration