Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Side Molding Removal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 06:49 PM
  #1  
RideRed0331's Avatar
RideRed0331
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: CT
Default Side Molding Removal?

I have a torch red C5Z, and it has the side moldings installed on the fender/door...

I'm not a huge fan of this look, and was wondering if anyone has removed theirs? I'm scared to attempt it without advice first, I have no idea how long they've been on there.

Can someone explain the proper process to avoid any paint damage?

Thanks!
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 06:53 PM
  #2  
bigcypress's Avatar
bigcypress
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 167
From: sylvania ohio
Default

do a search , someone posted about that a couple weeks ago . think he used a credit card and also some fluid which i don't remember . came out really well .
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 07:00 PM
  #3  
RideRed0331's Avatar
RideRed0331
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: CT
Default

My mobile phone automatically closes the search box before I can type. I tried Google but most of that pertains to the clip or push in style

Last edited by RideRed0331; Mar 28, 2016 at 07:00 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 07:01 PM
  #4  
Jeff T.'s Avatar
Jeff T.
Race Director
15 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,750
Likes: 1,210
From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
Default

Originally Posted by bigcypress
do a search , someone posted about that a couple weeks ago . think he used a credit card and also some fluid which i don't remember . came out really well .
Fishing line and good gloves!!! And IIRC 3M has a buffing wheel that will help with the glue removal.

Like Cypress said there are plenty of threads!
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 07:07 PM
  #5  
RideRed0331's Avatar
RideRed0331
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: CT
Default

Thanks, was just concerned about the fiberglass and paint

Process seems to be fairly universal, little heat and some patience!
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 07:53 PM
  #6  
MI-CORVETTE's Avatar
MI-CORVETTE
Advanced
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 88
Likes: 4
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Default

A piece of welding wire from a collision center will work, just keep it tight to the molding and wear gloves as mentioned above. Also, as mentioned above, using a 3M rubber or foam disc on the end of a drill at slower RPM will remove the glue left behind. I spent a few decades as a production painter and the heat will bubble the paint if you're not careful....be cautious or have a collision center pull them of as it wouldn't be that expensive (<100 bucks).

Good luck
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 08:54 PM
  #7  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,319
Likes: 24,777
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

A hair dryer, fishing line and a helper is really all that is needed to get the moldings off. For any residue left behind, use something like WD40 or an adhesive remover. The helper is used to help pull on the molding while you saw through the double sided tape holding the molding on.

Just be aware that there could be some fading of the paint compared to what is under the molding and there have been instances where some paint came up with the molding, but the paint lifting is pretty rare.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2016 | 09:48 PM
  #8  
yanmar's Avatar
yanmar
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 155
Likes: 7
Default side trim removal

i have always used 3m adhesive remover and hair dryer. let it soak a few minutes and peel back slowly. afterwards you can remove the exiting glue with the 3m and it will not harm the paint. this is the quickest/easiest method in my opinion.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 05:53 AM
  #9  
SG Lou's Avatar
SG Lou
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
Default

Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
A hair dryer, fishing line and a helper is really all that is needed to get the moldings off. For any residue left behind, use something like WD40 or an adhesive remover. The helper is used to help pull on the molding while you saw through the double sided tape holding the molding on.

Just be aware that there could be some fading of the paint compared to what is under the molding and there have been instances where some paint came up with the molding, but the paint lifting is pretty rare.
Pretty much the same way i removed mine
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 08:35 AM
  #10  
31ECHO's Avatar
31ECHO
Intermediate
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Ponte Vedra, FL
Default

Originally Posted by RideRed0331
I have a torch red C5Z, and it has the side moldings installed on the fender/door...

I'm not a huge fan of this look, and was wondering if anyone has removed theirs? I'm scared to attempt it without advice first, I have no idea how long they've been on there.

Can someone explain the proper process to avoid any paint damage?

Thanks!
Start by removing just one of the small sections. If you don't like the result it's not much hassel to put it back on.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 09:39 AM
  #11  
dbgoodwin's Avatar
dbgoodwin
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Default

Originally Posted by RideRed0331
I have a torch red C5Z, and it has the side moldings installed on the fender/door...

I'm not a huge fan of this look, and was wondering if anyone has removed theirs? I'm scared to attempt it without advice first, I have no idea how long they've been on there.

Can someone explain the proper process to avoid any paint damage?

Thanks!
<br >
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 11:07 AM
  #12  
pmr2000's Avatar
pmr2000
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 651
Likes: 45
From: Raleigh area, NC
Default

I've used the fishing line, hair dryer, soft plastic scraper and wd-40 method to get off 3M adhered spoilers.


Would be hesistant to do this on an older car especially darker colors due to paint fade and age.


Thought about it for mine but kind of like the piece that splits the fender vent, looks Ferrari-ish! Also serves a function in parking lots.

Last edited by pmr2000; Mar 29, 2016 at 11:08 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 11:14 AM
  #13  
Phanni's Avatar
Phanni
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
Default

Originally Posted by RideRed0331
Thanks, was just concerned about the fiberglass and paint

Process seems to be fairly universal, little heat and some patience!
If you can heat it up a bit and use 30lbs. fishing line to 'saw' the trim off. Any remaining stickum from the two sided tape can be removed with any number of solvents such as 'GooBgone',

The only problem with the paint would be if the door has been repainted without the body side moldings (the correct term for this spears) removed first.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 12:03 PM
  #14  
usgecko's Avatar
usgecko
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 597
Likes: 25
From: Atlanta Georgia
St. Jude Donor '13,'14
Default

Originally Posted by Phanni
The only problem with the paint would be if the door has been repainted without the body side moldings (the correct term for this spears) removed first.
Happened to me...It sucked.....had to go out and buy more tape and stick the damn things back on...
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 05:40 PM
  #15  
AZhitman's Avatar
AZhitman
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 274
Likes: 7
From: Surprise AZ
Default

I removed mine on my navy blue metallic '01 vert. Easy job, time-consuming... Little to no fading. A good paint correction afterwards (thanks Ted Y!) and it looked like they were never there.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Side Molding Removal?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:44 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE