Removing BSMs, advice needed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
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Removing BSMs, advice needed
I would like to remove my BSMs (Body Side Moldings) but I am afraid that the paint under them won't exactly match the other paint. My car is a 99. Should this be a concern? Should I just wait until I get a new paint job down the road?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
This is contingent upon how well the paint has been protected over the last eleven years, whether or not is was garaged, etc. I can suggest that you remove just the short front spear, and see how the paint matches the exposed fender. The use of a hair dryer, and some waxed dental floss, will make this go much easier. I have also been wrestling with this idea as well.. After 11 years and 80,000 miles, I have not one ding on my car. I do not want to tempt fate, but the car does look nicer without them, in my opinion. but not as nice if the car had dings because of the lack of side moldings.
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If you do find that the paint is a shade or two different than the surrounding panel, then you can always put the small piece back on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Silicon Valley
The "search" function on this forum is your friend ... extensive info on this subject.
Datapoint: I have removed the hideous BSM's from both my C5's with no problem and no paint mismatch.
Datapoint: I have removed the hideous BSM's from both my C5's with no problem and no paint mismatch.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
My car was garaged and stored every winter etc for 12 years before I did it. 48k miles at the time. There are"shadows" of lines outlining the BSMs on both sides, no matter how much I machine polish it. The lines are from road dirt getting buried in the edges of the adhesive, then it actually damages the intersection to the door panel all around the bsm. It is minor but noticeable it the right light. If you can put up with it, go ahead because the car will look so much better...if you want to enter car shows forget it.
