Paint problems when removing body side molding
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Paint problems when removing body side molding
Removed both of the moldings on the side of the vehicle today. I think I can buff out the adhesive that I see left over (seems to be a STRONG thin line of it) but there is problems with the paint on the passenger side where the small strip was (near brake vent).
I'm not sure what to do besides get the panel repainted or put the moldings back on. It literally looks like the paint is thinner where the side molding was. I will post pics after I get the car cleaned up this afternoon. The paint itself looks in PERFECT shape, it just looks like the area around the molding is literally raised up.
I'm rather worried about this, I've never seen anyone post issues so I didn't expect it.
I'm not sure what to do besides get the panel repainted or put the moldings back on. It literally looks like the paint is thinner where the side molding was. I will post pics after I get the car cleaned up this afternoon. The paint itself looks in PERFECT shape, it just looks like the area around the molding is literally raised up.
I'm rather worried about this, I've never seen anyone post issues so I didn't expect it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Here are the pictures after removing the molding. The driver side is perfect, so I didn't bother taking pics of that. The only part of the passenger side that is bad is where the small molding was.
I'm thinking of taking it to a pro detailer to see if anything can be done. At this point, short of repainting the panel...I think Im screwed. The paint is thicker on the edges of where the molding was so its damn near impossible to hide it. You can see what's going on in the pic above, but in natural light it's nowhere near that bad. I don't mind so much since it's not so visible in natural light, but it's bad enough to obviously see it like in the first pic.
I guess you can also see a bit on the door of where the paint is faded a bit. Perhaps buffing could take care of that though. This is just depressing.
I'm thinking of taking it to a pro detailer to see if anything can be done. At this point, short of repainting the panel...I think Im screwed. The paint is thicker on the edges of where the molding was so its damn near impossible to hide it. You can see what's going on in the pic above, but in natural light it's nowhere near that bad. I don't mind so much since it's not so visible in natural light, but it's bad enough to obviously see it like in the first pic.
I guess you can also see a bit on the door of where the paint is faded a bit. Perhaps buffing could take care of that though. This is just depressing.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 749
Likes: 3
From: West Yarmouth MA.
That looks like what I saw on my Millenium Yellow 2000 last week. I removed the bsms in preparation for paint and saw what the paint must of looked like 8 years ago. The moldings preserved the paint making the rest f the car look scatched and hazy in comparison. I think you could have the car compounded or possibly color sanded first and make the rest of the car shine like under the old moldings. Just takes some elbow grease, 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 790
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Sunshine
why did u take the molding off?
i after trying for 7 months to find molding for my vette , im wondering why would anyone want to take them off? it saves the car from them paint chips and dings other people like to give us. halalula for side body molding!!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 139
From: center of Kalifornia
You said the paint is thinner where the molding was, and it is raised up otherwise around it.
Well that is because some knucklehead painted the fender and didn't take off the molding.
A good polish will help but really needs to be painted.
Well that is because some knucklehead painted the fender and didn't take off the molding.
A good polish will help but really needs to be painted.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
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From: Columbus Ohio
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St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
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It's rare but looks like the door was repainted with the BSM still in place. The line looks too prominant to be faded paintwork to me.If thats the case its either BSMs back on or a repaint.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
This CANNOT be simply buffed out and it is NOT adhesive.
The paint is raised. I'm with you guys on the fact that it was most likely repainted without the side molding removed. I'm pretty sure that's the case, unfortunately.
I will polishing/waxing it all soon, but I am 100% at this point it will not fix it. I think only a repaint will fix it completely. It's just totally dissapointing.
I removed them because they are uglier than sin. They absolutely destroy the looks of the car. I would rather have visible paint blemishes such as I have now than have those side moldings on there. Not only that, but they do absolutely NOTHING for door dings. You guys who think that are completely out of your minds. 99% of cars out there on the road sit MUCH higher than the Vettes. Then take a lowered Vette on top of that and those side moldings do nothing whatsoever for protection. Everyones doors go right over the moldings and nail the higher curved part. Sorry guys, the moldings need to go...
The paint is raised. I'm with you guys on the fact that it was most likely repainted without the side molding removed. I'm pretty sure that's the case, unfortunately.
I will polishing/waxing it all soon, but I am 100% at this point it will not fix it. I think only a repaint will fix it completely. It's just totally dissapointing.
i after trying for 7 months to find molding for my vette , im wondering why would anyone want to take them off? it saves the car from them paint chips and dings other people like to give us. halalula for side body molding!!
Last edited by Quickshift_C5; Apr 12, 2008 at 03:50 AM.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Shawnee OK
yeah man that looks like they painted the fender with the moulding on it. If that is the case they are gonna have to repaint. wet sand that spot with some 2000 if it is still raised that is a clear line. If the paint is faded bad they may want to blend into the door also. sorry bout the bad luck. a door had been painted on my vette before i bought it but luckily they took the mouldings off when they did it. good luck
