Gerahead's 71 Dart

I posted this question in the Body forum and had no luck so I figured I'd give it a shot here too...........

My 71 Dart originally had a vinyl roof that has been removed, but that I intend to replace. In the top of the front and rear window openings, there are staples that were used to hold the edges down. Questions are..........
- how do you remove the old staples without boogering up the channel?
- do you leave the existing holes from the old staples for use with the new ones (I'm thinkin' not) or weld em up and punch new ones when the new top is installed?
- are they even needed for a replacement roof?

Thanks for your help. L8r