DJROBJ

Has anyone removed the factory body side molding? I recently purchased a 2002 Vert that needs a little TLC. The body is in pretty decent shape, and still shiny, but the body side molding on both sides is fairly boogered up with door dings (they did their job), and I'd like to remove them. Wondering if removing them will damage the factory paint underneath, or if after 13 years of being on there, will I see an outline of the molding on the paint due to UV discoloring or such.

Not4spd

You will most likely see an outline of the molding. I removed mine and being outside in the Texas sun periodically did not treat it will. Although it's not clearly visible, when the sun hits it just right it's noticeable. I'm still happy with the way it looks.

striper

I did mine using the fishing line method, it was fairly easy. Being the original owner I expected no surprises and there were no images in the sunlight. A little polishing will help with that situation if it occurs.

Yello95

If you want a nice smooth flowing look to the profile of your Vette , remove them even if you have to take a crowbar to get them off...(flame suit on)

usgecko

I removed them as described above. Found the door had been resprayed without removing the BSMs......

Cleaned the old tape off, put new tape on, stuck 'em back on, reached for the Single Malt.

I would have taken them off but for the cost of a respray I can live with them.

31ECHO

I have a 2004 LMB & finally got around to removing the bsm's in 2013. Used the fishing line method using WD40 as a lubricant & a hair dryer to soften things up. Cleaned up the residue with Goo Gone. Looked as good as new although the car has been garaged kept it's entire life which I'm sure helped. I suggest you remove one of the smaller sections to see how it is going look as a first step.

envyz06

Yeah I used fishline, hair dryer, 3M Adhesive remove (works wonders) and some good ole elbow grease!

Vetteman Jack

Great suggestion to start the removal process with the short piece of the BSM to see how it goes and what it looks like with the piece gone. That way if there are really noticable lines, you can decide whether to go further or not.

cmiller8006

my suggestion would be to do the fishing line, then while the goo gone and stuff works, I always just use my thumbs and roll the extra tape off and then goo gone what little is left. Goo gone and stuff makes a big mess to me. I had to wet sand my doors after to get the lines out, but polished out to perfect after.

Rickster1

^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^

This is exactly the method I used on my '03 z06. Just a bit of polish and wax and there is no sign the BSM was ever there. A much cleaner look IMHO. It is a low mileage car that is inside when not in use.

Phanni

To think, someone actually paid to have those things installed.

92GA

Yea, and if they weren't there you'd have all those dings in the doors themselves. They look better with them on anyways.

57gman

My vette came without BSM. No need if you park far enough away. Glad I don't have them!

Ceedub53

I kinda like the molding actually...

JETZ

Wow, here for fifteen years, and you missed ALL those threads?

Yank those ugly things off!

frank

04 commemorative

I like mine,wouldn't take them off....

MSG C5

The great C5 BSM debate continues. As someone who is currently shopping a C7Z stablemate for my C5 vert, I have come to appreciate that BSMs probably don't belong on a Corvette. I can't imagine the C7Z with BSMs and even though they made them for the C6, I don't believe I ever saw a C6 with them installed.

However, the C5 BSMs look much better by comparison so I guess I'm indifferent to them. My C5 vert had them installed when I purchased new back in the summer of 2004 out of dealer stock. I never really thought they added or subtracted from the look, however noticed more and more C5s without them over the years.

I might someday get the itch to remove mine, however like I said, I'm indifferent to them and they actually match up with the side spears of my Caravaggio rear spoiler.

Shakeydeal

But they both look like something someone "stuck" on your car, ruining the beautiful lines of the C5. IMHO, of course.

Shakey

MSG C5

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, however I love my Caravaggio rear spoiler and have received a lot of compliments over the years since installing it. I agree that the C5 has beautiful lines, however I always felt the rear end was a little bland that's why I added the spoiler. The deciding factor for me was it was the least "stick on" looking of all spoilers because it covered the entire rear fascia from the trunk line.

I guess if we all liked the same things, we'd all be driving black Fords...

Shakeydeal

It's certainly a beautiful car, hard to fault it. I would have passed on the spoiler, but I still think it looks good in spite of it.....

Shakey