Removing Side Rubbing Strip
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 459
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From: Atlanta GA
Removing Side Rubbing Strip
He everyone. I'm looking at a red C5 that has the side rubbing strip. I like everything about the car except this strip - is it removeable? And more importantly, will the paint be faded everywhere except under the strip?
TIA gm
TIA gm
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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
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I agree - if you so a search you'll find a lot of threads with instructions on how to remove them, as well as lots of arguments as to whether they should remain on the car or be removed. This is probably one of the top ten most discussed subjects in C5 Gen.
More than likely the paint will be fine - the question is has the paint overall faded - as opposed to what's under the BSM. If the rest of the car has been taken care of (washed and waxed with some regularity) chances are it will be fine. If the red was oxidized or faded, you'd know it. These cars have clear coat over the color coat - so really is the clear coat in good shape? Does it feel glassy smooth and look very glossy?
Removal is easy and as I said - well documented if you try searching for BSM Removal. (BSM means BODY SIDE MOLDING)
Good luck!
More than likely the paint will be fine - the question is has the paint overall faded - as opposed to what's under the BSM. If the rest of the car has been taken care of (washed and waxed with some regularity) chances are it will be fine. If the red was oxidized or faded, you'd know it. These cars have clear coat over the color coat - so really is the clear coat in good shape? Does it feel glassy smooth and look very glossy?
Removal is easy and as I said - well documented if you try searching for BSM Removal. (BSM means BODY SIDE MOLDING)
Good luck!
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A hair dryer and some strong fishing line is all you need to get the body side moldings off. Just take your time and it should be fine.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: clearwater fl
instead of a hair dryer I live in florida and just left it out in the sun and heat for about 3 hours. Got some 50# fishing line and worked it from the rear in an up and down saw like action. Doesnt take long, but the remaining adhesive will drive you crazy. I just rubbed and rubbed with my fingers until it all came off. You will need alot of patience with this rubbing process. After all the adhesive has been removed, put a fresh coat of wax and it looked liked it was never there.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
A few people have pulled theirs to find the door had been repainted (without removing the BSMs 
). Try to find signs of fading elsewhere on the car before you pull them.
It isn't difficult to pull them as others have said. Just time consuming removing the risidual adhesive. Try some 3M Adhesive Remover. Worked for me.
FWIW, I really prefer the looks without the BSM. Did mine when it was only a few weeks off the showroom.
). Try to find signs of fading elsewhere on the car before you pull them. It isn't difficult to pull them as others have said. Just time consuming removing the risidual adhesive. Try some 3M Adhesive Remover. Worked for me.
FWIW, I really prefer the looks without the BSM. Did mine when it was only a few weeks off the showroom.
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
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Originally Posted by TripleBlackxTwo
A few people have pulled theirs to find the door had been repainted (without removing the BSMs ). Try to find signs of fading elsewhere on the car before you pull them. It isn't difficult to pull them as others have said. Just time consuming removing the risidual adhesive. Try some 3M Adhesive Remover. Worked for me.
). Try to find signs of fading elsewhere on the car before you pull them. It isn't difficult to pull them as others have said. Just time consuming removing the risidual adhesive. Try some 3M Adhesive Remover. Worked for me. If you're sure there was no paint work then they are pretty easy to remove as mentioned above... I have seen several people attempt this not knowing the paint history of the car and it became a nightmare...But for most who have done this is was a piece of cake.
I prefer the BSM, I take my car everywhere...and I have no dings and I have 62,000 miles and its seven years old.
