Having a truck painted (color change) and I have pulled the windshield out. It's the older style held in with the gasket that is full perimeter and the old one had some sort of sealant holing it in, I'm sure to stop leaks and rust. Has anybody ever tried to clean it out of the channel and what did you use?

 

Ford hasn't used w/s gaskets in decades. They're all glued in. This is how I remove the glue from all my trucks before I allow a w/s service to install a new one:

(phone app link)

 

I was hoping there would be a different way so it wouldn't rust before heading to the paint shop but I haven't seen anything else that makes it 'easy'.

 

If you want a slower, gentler removal, use an eraser wheel. But if it's going to paint anyway, they'll take care of the minuscule surface rust that happens there. Or you can tape it off & shoot some primer/SEALER or any paint onto the bare-metal spots you make.

(phone app link)