westerman,
Do a search on "windlace" and you will find good explanations on how people have successfully installed the windlace (and good suggestion on combinations of strong words that help during the process).
Two suggestion after cleaning the track and before painting it:
1. Un-pinch the places where the track had been pinched.
2. Run a 12" piece of un-lubricated windlace through the track to make sure you'll be able to run the windlace through after painting.
When installing the whole length of windlace, people suggest using a lubricant, and my preference for use with any rubber part is a non-soap-based, non-petroleum-based lubricant. K-Y jelly is a name brand but there are many less expensive store-brands (water-based, water-soluble personal lubricant). They clean up easily and the residue hurts nothing. These type of lubricants also do not contain silicones (a substance that should not be used around painted surfaces or paint shops).
Finally, I think the 47-54 Factory Assembly Manual suggests starting the installation of the windlace at one of the breaks in the track near the top of the door. You then "thread" the windlace in two directions but it only have to travel about half the length of the track in each direction.
Tim
