Removing body side molding
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Use a hair dryer to heat the tape holding the molding to the side of the car, then use some strong fishing line to saw through the tape. Best to have a helper that can keep a little outward pressure on the molding as you progress down the side of the car. Once the molding is removed, the remaining tape/adhesive can be removed with some WD-40 or Goo Gone.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,249
Likes: 96
From: not far enough from Chicago
I wanted to give mine away to a guy that wanted them. I tried the fishing line thing and it just started to rip into the BSM. After I realized they were going to be ****$d up anyway, I just got enough to grab onto with some pliers and tore them off. You wouldn't want to pull too hard because I suppose they could damage your plastic doors and fenders. Remove the residue with goo be gone apply wax and buff out until you can’t see any lines left behind.
Take a look at the smooooooooooth look afterwards.
Take a look at the smooooooooooth look afterwards.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Removed mine today. Used a hair dryer, fishing line, 3M Adhesive Remover, and some Zaino to finish up.
Heated each one up about 6 inches then put the fishing line in and used a pulling sawing motion which cuts through the adhesive. Kept moving along about 6 inches at a time. When I got close to the other side I switched and came in that direction until I met where I left off. Pretty easy, I used waterski gloves so the line doesn't cut into my hands. After that they just lift off the side, they are just hanging there pretty much at that point.
Afterwards I used the hair dryer again to heat up and remove the remaining adhesive, but it still leaves some residue. Again the gloves came in really great here, no blisters rolling that junk off. After that I used a wrag, wetted with the 3M Adhesive Remover to remove all most all the rest. It still left a fine fine line, but a quick application of Zaino ZPC fixed all that, followed by a coat of Z5 and CS (sealant).
I think it looks much better without them. The lines are just so much smoother. I ran out of sun light so I pulled into a quick store and snapped one.
Adhesive partially removed, I heating it up and rolling it back with my finger. Does a great job of removing it. I kept the use of chemicals to a minimum too.
Heated each one up about 6 inches then put the fishing line in and used a pulling sawing motion which cuts through the adhesive. Kept moving along about 6 inches at a time. When I got close to the other side I switched and came in that direction until I met where I left off. Pretty easy, I used waterski gloves so the line doesn't cut into my hands. After that they just lift off the side, they are just hanging there pretty much at that point.
Afterwards I used the hair dryer again to heat up and remove the remaining adhesive, but it still leaves some residue. Again the gloves came in really great here, no blisters rolling that junk off. After that I used a wrag, wetted with the 3M Adhesive Remover to remove all most all the rest. It still left a fine fine line, but a quick application of Zaino ZPC fixed all that, followed by a coat of Z5 and CS (sealant).
I think it looks much better without them. The lines are just so much smoother. I ran out of sun light so I pulled into a quick store and snapped one.
Adhesive partially removed, I heating it up and rolling it back with my finger. Does a great job of removing it. I kept the use of chemicals to a minimum too.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
I'm strongly considering this with my black 97, but i'm skeptical that removing the old tape will damage the paint. Has anyone here tried this with a 10 year old car?
thanks
thanks
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
I looked at a few cars with the BSM on them and walked away... I do not like the look of that bumper on the side of my otherwise clean smooth car.
Another idea on the removal using the heat and fishing line method, try wrapping the fishing line around something like a small piece of wood instead if your fingers !!! Doh!
Another idea on the removal using the heat and fishing line method, try wrapping the fishing line around something like a small piece of wood instead if your fingers !!! Doh!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,148
Likes: 1
From: U S A
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 347
From: yardley, pa 19067
I also used the methods described above: hair dryer, fishing line, and WD40 to clean off the excess glue on the car..My 99 was 5 years old when I did it and you could never tell there was a molding..
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