Body Side Molding Delete
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 16
Body Side Molding Delete
I know this has been discussed to death, so I'll try to keep it brief. I'm planning on removing the BSM from my car using the fishing line technique and a hair dryer and some goo-gone to finish the job.
The thing I'm concerned about, and real reason I'm posting, is paint fade or any noticeable outlines. My car is an '02 EB with 30k miles, garaged for at least the past 6 years but probably all its life. Do you think I'm still safe to remove the moldings? Not sure if it's just been to much time, all the topics I dig up in search are years old by now and even then with mixed results. Thanks for the help!
The thing I'm concerned about, and real reason I'm posting, is paint fade or any noticeable outlines. My car is an '02 EB with 30k miles, garaged for at least the past 6 years but probably all its life. Do you think I'm still safe to remove the moldings? Not sure if it's just been to much time, all the topics I dig up in search are years old by now and even then with mixed results. Thanks for the help!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Northridge CA
Wow!, I got the same year car C5, same mileage, SAME COLOR, etc., have read every thread, on how do do it, got out the fishing line, the hair dryer, the goo-gone, some polishing compound and chickened out!! LOL
If you are braver than I am. . . Please post pictures before and after! Thanks!
If you are braver than I am. . . Please post pictures before and after! Thanks!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 16
That's what I was thinking. My plan was to start with one of the smaller pieces and get that cleaned up really well and decide what to do from there. Just wasn't sure given the age of the car.
I also didn't realize that people were so divided on BSM aesthetically until I started doing some research. I thought everyone already knew it looked better without the molding
I also didn't realize that people were so divided on BSM aesthetically until I started doing some research. I thought everyone already knew it looked better without the molding
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 16
Just picked it up on Saturday! I haven't even had it out on the road yet since it isn't tagged, but just seeing it in my garage puts a smile on my face. Huge step up from my camaro. I'm pretty certain the BSM removal is happening at this point, so I'll post up results and let you know.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 992
Likes: 3
From: Chesterfield Michigan
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
I just took mine off my 2002 MY Z06 last year. It was in and out of garages most of it's life, mostly out. And there is no noticable fade at all.
Fishing line and a heat gun and goo gone was all it took.
Fishing line and a heat gun and goo gone was all it took.
Administrator
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Really the only way you're going to find out is to take the BSM off. Start with the small piece behind the cove - that way if there is some paint fade, you can always put the piece back on easy enough.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs Fl
have bsm on mine too, neighbor has a '00 pewter vert without. Think car lines looks better without. 
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 7
From: Columbus Oh
i think you should just go for it.
i wasn't totally sold on taking mine off but then i did it and it looks so much better without. i have an 02 tr about half as many miles and there was no fade at all. car looks like it never had them. i doubt there would be much if any issue with fading and like someone else said you could always put them back on if there is.
my tid bit of advice if you do go through with it is to pull it off as much as you can because the tape is a lot easier to get off when it hasn't been cut in half by the fishing line.
i wasn't totally sold on taking mine off but then i did it and it looks so much better without. i have an 02 tr about half as many miles and there was no fade at all. car looks like it never had them. i doubt there would be much if any issue with fading and like someone else said you could always put them back on if there is.
my tid bit of advice if you do go through with it is to pull it off as much as you can because the tape is a lot easier to get off when it hasn't been cut in half by the fishing line.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Media Pa.
I have a 2003 electron blue vette and about a year ago I removed the moldings from my car. I was amazed but i could not tell where they were when I was done. I used some fishing line and a hair dryer. Works perfect and I like the new look it gives to the car. Just do it!!!! you wont regret you did it
Good luck
Good luck
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Northridge CA
Don't feel bad, I have got all the stuff out to "do it" (remove the BSMs), like 3 times, cause I like C5's without them, but I kinda like them on also. Needless to say I still have them on.
Oh, I like the caliper covers as well, I just couldn't justify the price, versus painting the stock calipers, or versus just replacing them with powder coated ones!
Oh, I like the caliper covers as well, I just couldn't justify the price, versus painting the stock calipers, or versus just replacing them with powder coated ones!
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
From: Elizabeth City, Outer Banks NC
Lot of guys on here that are great at body work that know far more than I do but the turtlewax polishing compound and scratch remover, (Green Can) is what I use when anything happens to blend in those rut-ro's before I get the car to the dealerships. Tried a lot of stuff and you don't have to rub hard but the stuff saves my butt a lot of times.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
Likes: 10
From: Tulsa OK
I bought my Metallic Pewter '02 in late '09 without BSM and I have a used set that are being painted and readied for installation as we speak.
OBD
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Northridge CA
I kinda like mine also, but as far as protecting anything, I will walk the length of a football field to avoid anybody parking next to me, cause I see the idiots and the way the are clueless about anything that is nice, it's almost as if some aholes do it on purpose! Not only with my Vette, my truck and any other vehicle I have ever had that I took any pride in, same thing.
So, I just can't make up my mind which way I like the C5 better, and I think certain colors look better with them, mine is Electron Blue, and just when I thought I had decided to keep mine on, I saw one in this thread without the BSM's and I love it
Breakin out the blow dryer this weekend, Hell, I can always put them back! Right? LOL
So, I just can't make up my mind which way I like the C5 better, and I think certain colors look better with them, mine is Electron Blue, and just when I thought I had decided to keep mine on, I saw one in this thread without the BSM's and I love it
Breakin out the blow dryer this weekend, Hell, I can always put them back! Right? LOL
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 16
Haha, I guess I derailed my own thread by stirring the pot about which way looked better. Wasn't just trying to start an argument, just trying to get opinions on whether people thought my paint was likely to be faded or marked. Thanks for all the responses guys!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Northridge CA
OMG! You are so right, until you posted, I pretty much had made up my mind about keeping mine! My car also being a 2002 C5 Electron Blue, with 32K miles on it, and I know for a fact that it was garage kept before me, (I've had it for about 6 months now, and 9,000 miles), have now jumped off the fence.
Got plans for the weekend!! LOL
Got plans for the weekend!! LOL