I have read a lot of information about removing the side door moldings on a C5. Well, I finally got up the nerve to do it on my torch red FRC and had great success. However, most of the treads on this removal process suggested using fish line. I was having difficulty getting it to cut the adheasive tape on the molding. So, here is a very good and quick method. This is a two person job.

1. Begin by using a small wedge shaped piece of very smoothly sanded wooden block (1 inch wide and about 6 inches long) to begin lifting the narrow end of the molding on the door. Insert the wdge with gentle pressure. Using the wedge, start start to gently lift the molding. It will lift up slightly. Actually, on one of the doors, I did not even have to use the wedge as I was able to have my helper lift the molding with just his fingers.

2. Once you have lifted the molding, using a very sharp, non-serated, thin bladed kitchen knife (mine was about 8 inches in length) you can carefully insert the knife blade between the car door and the molding.
Since the tape used to hold the molding on the door is fairly thick, it will pull out far enough for you to cut the tape from the side molding piece. KEEP THE BLADE OF THE KNIFE AGAINST THE SIDE MOLDING NOT ON THE CAR DOOR!!!!!!!!!!! While you are cutting the tape away from the side molding, have your helper continue to keep constant and firm pressure on the molding by pulling it away from the door. The molding is very flexable and will not break if you are careful.

3. Once you have removed the door molding, then remove the short piece of molding from the "vent" on the quarter panel. This a little more tricky because the piece is short but by the time you get to do this part of the procedure, you will know what to do.

4. After you have removed the side molding, take some WD-40 (or any other "goo off" material that does not harm the paint of your car) and spray a liberal amount of this lubricant on the remaining adheasive tape which is left on the door. I used a rag under the area where I was spraying the door to prevent the spray from dripping down the side of the car door. (Let it set for a few minutes) This will soften the adheasive. Using your FINGERNAIL, (do not use a putty knife or another stupid thing like a razor blade to remove the adhisive) you can remove the remaining tape from the door. This takes a little effort and in about 15 minutes you can have the stuff removed.

5. Now that you have removed the adheasive, you can take a clean cloth and wipe the area where the side molding was mounted. Mine came out crystal clear with no evidence of fading or dis-coloring and no lines were the side molding was previously attached.

This entire process took less than one-half hour once we figured it out. I absolutely love the look of the clean lines on the door and quarter panel. It is a very sexy look.

I disclaim myself from any damage done to your car due to incompitance or stupidity using the above procedure. Always go slowly and use caution so as not to harm the door or quarter panel.

If you have any questions, you can email me at rkhegler@alltel.net

 

Thanks for posting an alternative method to take the BSM's off.