Removing body side molding
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Kennewick WA
Removing body side molding
I'm going to buy a C5, but I don't care for body side molding. More than half the cars I've looked at have BSM. Is there an easy way to remove the molding without ruining the paint underneath? Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,977
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From: Houston, TX www.djmotorsportaccessories.com Specializing in C5 & C6 Accessories. DJ Motorsport Accessories.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I used a hair dryer to take off the long piece to reposition it after the body shop guy put it back on a little crooked. You will need to use plastic blade or credit card to get it started off then just pull while heating it up some. Some people use fishing line but I didn't. 
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Kennewick WA
Removing body side molding
I did a search as boyblue97 suggested, and it looks like it's pretty easy. Heat and a little patience with some fishing line. That cetainly opens up the market as to what is available. Thanks for the tips!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 139
From: center of Kalifornia
Couple of thoughts:
1) If your car is a few years old and especially red you may see a line as the paint under the moulding is like the day it was new and the exposed paint has some fade. (My avtar is old, mlds still on.)
2) I did not like mine either, but only removed the mld from the fender vent area and left the door side on for protection. Looks good I think and probably the way it should have been done by GM. Try it first.
I also used a heat source, heat it up good, don't blister the paint, and if you pull it off carefully most of the adhesive stays on the mld. Let us know how it went.
I should mention that a body shop would have a special heat gun that is much hotter than a hair dryer, they may only charge a small amount and do this type of work every day. Maybe 1/2 hour labor each side.
1) If your car is a few years old and especially red you may see a line as the paint under the moulding is like the day it was new and the exposed paint has some fade. (My avtar is old, mlds still on.)
2) I did not like mine either, but only removed the mld from the fender vent area and left the door side on for protection. Looks good I think and probably the way it should have been done by GM. Try it first.
I also used a heat source, heat it up good, don't blister the paint, and if you pull it off carefully most of the adhesive stays on the mld. Let us know how it went.
I should mention that a body shop would have a special heat gun that is much hotter than a hair dryer, they may only charge a small amount and do this type of work every day. Maybe 1/2 hour labor each side.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 1
From: Sarver Pennsylvania
Oh, Gawd, I can't believe we're gonna' go through this again! 
Seriously, SO many have done this that it should NOT be an issue any more.
What is the worst color? I was told it was Millinium Yellow - yet I did it anyhow.
How long after it was new? I did mine 4 years after "birth."
Will it show? Didn't for me!
How did I do it? (Gawd, I'm sounding like Donald Rumsfield!
)I used WD40 and 30 lb fishing line. I did hit it with the blow dryer for a bit, but if the weather is not too bad (read: cold!) you probably don't need to.
Simple, really: spray WD 40 - use the fish line (30 lb) and that should do it.
CLEAN UP - some "Goo-B-Gone" or more WD40 took care of the adhesive on the door, then whatever you use to make it the most sparkling car in the lot!
CLIFF NOTES: Fish line (30 lb) - WD40 (lube factor!) - take your time!
Last edited by MyOwn69; Mar 2, 2007 at 08:36 PM. Reason: can't spell!
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Team Owner
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From: Big Red Ne
I got a really long sharp kitchen knife and had my buddy pull the piece away from the car with his fingers starting from the end on the door. Run the knife along the molding (be careful not to get it against the car). It came right off. Once I had it removed, I used some WD40 to remove any of the sticky residue left on the car. It took all of about 20 minutes total. No kidding. Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 606
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From: Lizella, Georgia
Mine came off so easily that I literally ripped the paint off and it cost me 400.00 to get it fixed. No matter how easy it seems to come off take YOUR FREAKIN TIME! Do do what I did. I almost committed suicide becasue of that! 
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 606
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From: Lizella, Georgia
Mine came off so easily that I literally ripped the paint off and it cost me 400.00 to get it fixed. No matter how easy it seems to come off take YOUR FREAKIN TIME! Do not do what I did. I almost committed suicide because of that!
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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.