Help: Removing factory side molding???
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Ghent
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Help: Removing factory side molding???
I want to remove the factory side molding from the doors/front fenders on my 01 c5. Are they attached by 3m tape? Has anyone done this? Any tricks or tips? 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 3
From: Round Hill, VA
I took mine off not too long ago. It's held on by rivets and lots of other good and paint harming stuf...J/K. Get some STRONG fishing line, and some GooBGone and saw through the 3mm tape that holds it on. Be careful not to rip it off as you might take some paint with it. Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 1
From: Sarver Pennsylvania
You can do a search for this - it's been posted many times.
That last response was correct - I used a 30 lb. fishing line and just "sawed" my way front to back. Don't be in a hurry - I think the friction helps break down the glue that holds them on.
Others have used a blow dryer - I didn't find it worth the bother. Goo-Gone, or some bug remover, or WD-40 should clean up any left-overs.
Just take your time - there's no hurry!
Good luck
That last response was correct - I used a 30 lb. fishing line and just "sawed" my way front to back. Don't be in a hurry - I think the friction helps break down the glue that holds them on.
Others have used a blow dryer - I didn't find it worth the bother. Goo-Gone, or some bug remover, or WD-40 should clean up any left-overs.
Just take your time - there's no hurry!
Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Rule #1: Take your time.
Rule #2: Use a heat gun or hair dryer to help loosen up the adhesive.
Rule #3: Use the heaviest fishline to cut through the tape.
Rule #4: Do NOT start to pull them once you get the first part away from the body.
Rule #5: Take your time.
Trust me on all the above.
Did I mention to take your time??
You'll love the look when they are off and it's all cleaned up.
Rule #2: Use a heat gun or hair dryer to help loosen up the adhesive.
Rule #3: Use the heaviest fishline to cut through the tape.
Rule #4: Do NOT start to pull them once you get the first part away from the body.
Rule #5: Take your time.
Trust me on all the above.
Did I mention to take your time??
You'll love the look when they are off and it's all cleaned up.
Race Director
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
No - they were kidding you about that. The BSM's are held on only by some real strong double sided tape.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
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From: Mustang OK
Welcome to the Forum! 
As mentioned above, you should be able to find a number of threads on this topic using the Forum Search feature. Good luck.
As mentioned above, you should be able to find a number of threads on this topic using the Forum Search feature. Good luck.
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The molding is held on by two sided tape. You can use a hairdryer to heat the molding (softens the tape) and then take a piece of strong fishing line and "saw" the molding off. You will have some tape residue left to clean off the side of the car. Just be careful - I saw a post not too long ago where the owner was removing the molding and in at least one spot the paint came up also when he pulled on the molding. 
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,299
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From: Stanwood Michigan
Originally Posted by Red_Racer
Rule #1: Take your time.
Rule #2: Use a heat gun or hair dryer to help loosen up the adhesive.
Rule #3: Use the heaviest fishline to cut through the tape.
Rule #4: Do NOT start to pull them once you get the first part away from the body.
Rule #5: Take your time.
Trust me on all the above.
Did I mention to take your time??
You'll love the look when they are off and it's all cleaned up.
Rule #2: Use a heat gun or hair dryer to help loosen up the adhesive.
Rule #3: Use the heaviest fishline to cut through the tape.
Rule #4: Do NOT start to pull them once you get the first part away from the body.
Rule #5: Take your time.
Trust me on all the above.
Did I mention to take your time??
You'll love the look when they are off and it's all cleaned up.
Just finished my wifes car and the above directions are perfect. I used 30# fishing line but could have gone to 40#. Used a decal application tool to take off the heavy remaining residue then used the Goo be Gone then buffed with Griot's Machine Polish 1, 2, 3 and you can't tell they were wver there after 8 years of being on the car. Good luck.