Removing Body Side Moldings????
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 404
Likes: 9
From: GA
Removing Body Side Moldings????
I have an 02 Z and i would like to remove the Body Side Moldings. Has anyone done this before, is it possible to do with out screwing up the paint? If you have done this, what is the best way to do it? What do you have to do to the paint under the molding after removal?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
This is one of those topics that get's asked frequently. So, may I suggest you go to C5 Tech and click on search or search this forum (in the red banner).
To find hundreds of past threads, use keywords "body side molding removal" or "bsm removal" or similar.
The removal process is well documented. Most use a heat gun and either dental floss or thin fishing line to remove the moldings. Then use your favorite chemical or finger friction to remove any residual double sided tape. Follow up with polish/wax of choice.
You should know there may be a downside to this if you're not the original owner of the car and it was repainted/repaired by the previous owner(s). Or if the paint beneath is darker than the rest of the car because it hasn't faded.
Some have discovered they had to have paint work done or leave the moldings in place.
To find hundreds of past threads, use keywords "body side molding removal" or "bsm removal" or similar.
The removal process is well documented. Most use a heat gun and either dental floss or thin fishing line to remove the moldings. Then use your favorite chemical or finger friction to remove any residual double sided tape. Follow up with polish/wax of choice.
You should know there may be a downside to this if you're not the original owner of the car and it was repainted/repaired by the previous owner(s). Or if the paint beneath is darker than the rest of the car because it hasn't faded.
Some have discovered they had to have paint work done or leave the moldings in place.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
This is one of those topics that get's asked frequently. So, may I suggest you go to C5 Tech and click on search or search this forum (in the red banner).
To find hundreds of past threads, use keywords "body side molding removal" or "bsm removal" or similar.
The removal process is well documented. Most use a heat gun and either dental floss or thin fishing line to remove the moldings. Then use your favorite chemical or finger friction to remove any residual double sided tape. Follow up with polish/wax of choice.
You should know there may be a downside to this if you're not the original owner of the car and it was repainted/repaired by the previous owner(s). Or if the paint beneath is darker than the rest of the car because it hasn't faded.
Some have discovered they had to have paint work done or leave the moldings in place.
To find hundreds of past threads, use keywords "body side molding removal" or "bsm removal" or similar.
The removal process is well documented. Most use a heat gun and either dental floss or thin fishing line to remove the moldings. Then use your favorite chemical or finger friction to remove any residual double sided tape. Follow up with polish/wax of choice.
You should know there may be a downside to this if you're not the original owner of the car and it was repainted/repaired by the previous owner(s). Or if the paint beneath is darker than the rest of the car because it hasn't faded.
Some have discovered they had to have paint work done or leave the moldings in place.
I used heat gun/fishing line, followed by clay bar to clean up the goop... unfortunately I have to repaint the doors, but couldn't find that out until I had the first one off...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
I used a hair dryer and fishing line. It came out great. But I'm bought the car new and removed them about 6 months after I bought the car and I always keep it garaged so there was no chance of faded paint.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Most guys get them off easily with fishing wire and a heat gun/goo gone
I've only heard of one or two members who had problems. In those cases it was a repaint job that left witness lines because they'd painted with the BSM still in place.
I've only heard of one or two members who had problems. In those cases it was a repaint job that left witness lines because they'd painted with the BSM still in place.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 261
Likes: 4
From: NC
Administrator
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The removal process is well documented. Most use a heat gun and either dental floss or thin fishing line to remove the moldings. Then use your favorite chemical or finger friction to remove any residual double sided tape. Follow up with polish/wax of choice.
You should know there may be a downside to this if you're not the original owner of the car and it was repainted/repaired by the previous owner(s). Or if the paint beneath is darker than the rest of the car because it hasn't faded.
Some have discovered they had to have paint work done or leave the moldings in place.
You should know there may be a downside to this if you're not the original owner of the car and it was repainted/repaired by the previous owner(s). Or if the paint beneath is darker than the rest of the car because it hasn't faded.
Some have discovered they had to have paint work done or leave the moldings in place.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
This is one of those topics that get's asked frequently. So, may I suggest you go to C5 Tech and click on search or search this forum (in the red banner).
To find hundreds of past threads, use keywords "body side molding removal" or "bsm removal" or similar.
The removal process is well documented. Most use a heat gun and either dental floss or thin fishing line to remove the moldings. Then use your favorite chemical or finger friction to remove any residual double sided tape. Follow up with polish/wax of choice.
You should know there may be a downside to this if you're not the original owner of the car and it was repainted/repaired by the previous owner(s). Or if the paint beneath is darker than the rest of the car because it hasn't faded.
Some have discovered they had to have paint work done or leave the moldings in place.
To find hundreds of past threads, use keywords "body side molding removal" or "bsm removal" or similar.
The removal process is well documented. Most use a heat gun and either dental floss or thin fishing line to remove the moldings. Then use your favorite chemical or finger friction to remove any residual double sided tape. Follow up with polish/wax of choice.
You should know there may be a downside to this if you're not the original owner of the car and it was repainted/repaired by the previous owner(s). Or if the paint beneath is darker than the rest of the car because it hasn't faded.
Some have discovered they had to have paint work done or leave the moldings in place.
I like the way you didn't just tell the OP to go do a search, you actually gave some good info too.
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Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon
Do the bsm's get damaged from removing them? I am on the fence about whether to remove them or not and would like to know if I can put them back on if the paint does not match underneith, or I liked it better with them on. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
The sawing action of the floss or fishing line can leave little nicked impressions in the body side molding edges especially if they've been warmed with a heat gun. Keep the floss or fishing line away from the edges as you saw through.
If you apply sufficient heat, the moldings should come off easily without a lot of bending of the longer pieces.
If you intend to sell them, keep that in mind. The only real damage is to the 3M double side adhesive. A buyer of your moldings would need to remove and re-apply new double sided adhesive...
If you apply sufficient heat, the moldings should come off easily without a lot of bending of the longer pieces.
If you intend to sell them, keep that in mind. The only real damage is to the 3M double side adhesive. A buyer of your moldings would need to remove and re-apply new double sided adhesive...
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jan 22, 2009 at 11:35 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
I damaged both short pieces, then quit for the season. I couldn't see it happening while doing the job. It happens on the underside of the molding. The line was digging into the lower edge and began growing about an inch well into the plastic before I caught it. The only reason I noticed it was because the progress was way slow and hard to pull. I laid on the floor too see upward, and finally saw what was going on. I can fix the damage with bondo and repaint, but this stopped me from going any further until summer.
