side body molding removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 149
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From: clearwater fl
side body molding removal
I have a 2000 coupe and was wondering if anyone has removed the body molding and if they encountered any problems removing the adhesive. I am planning on removing the moldings, but I don't want to find out that the adhesive will be a pain in the but to remove.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Originally Posted by chanderson
I have a 2000 coupe and was wondering if anyone has removed the body molding and if they encountered any problems removing the adhesive. I am planning on removing the moldings, but I don't want to find out that the adhesive will be a pain in the but to remove.
Wrap the fishing line around the fingers of each hand, then using the line stretched between them like a saw, cut through the double-sided tape. Applying heat via a hair dryer will make this significantly easier.
Then rub / peel / roll off with your fingers the remaining material.
Finally, buy some "3M Adhesive Remover" at Napa, follow the directions to remove the residue.
Some folks will warn (and I suppose it depends on the color of the car) that you may have a "ghost" image where the paint hasn't faded under the BSM. My car was 4 years old when I did it and this was not an issue for me.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: clearwater fl
Thanks dan. I had a 96 impala and I removed the quarter panel lettering and had some difficulty, but eventually it did come off. I suppose the bsm's adhesive is similar. My car is black and so was the impala and there was only very slight if any difference in paint fade. I will give it a try on the corvette next weekend. thanks for such a fast reply.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
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From: Guelph, Ontario
I had mine removed last week and it took over 4 hours! Because it's a 98, they were on there pretty good, and most of the adhesive stuck to the paint. So it took a while to slowly peel it off. But there is no evidence they were there, I had my friend with a detail shop help me out and he did an awesome job. Luckly the previous owner of my car kept the black paint shiny as new, so the paint under the BSM didn't look any different.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: rochester n y
Bsm
Another member had a nightmare of a time because his door had been painted. Took them off and had to put them back on, so make sure dealer didn't do any paint work. Good Luck.Save the Wave.>George
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
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I have done all 3 of my c5's with no problems. Leave the car in the sun and let it get nice and warm. I have always clayed the car after just to get the reamaining glue off. Then follow up with some good wax and away you go.
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Seems to be a common thing to do. The only problem you may encounter is with the paint under the molding not matching the rest of the panels due to sun fading.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: San Marcos Tx
We attempted to remove mine last week and it wasn't a pleasant experience. I have done this before several times and am fairly patient with it, but this time part of the clearcoat came off. Don't know why...allowed the adhesive remover to soak in, heated it up, and cut with some line. Cleaned off the area in the back towards the door handle first and noticed an indentation in the paint so i put them back on with 3M body tape. $30 down the drain. Oh well.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Houston TX
Originally Posted by vettenovice
Just thought I'd ask...Are the BSMs really soooooo bad that you'll risk creating a mess (ghost image, etc.)? IMO, I think they look fine and also provide some protection from dings.
Melting Slicks
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Originally Posted by -McTullis-
We attempted to remove mine last week and it wasn't a pleasant experience. I have done this before several times and am fairly patient with it, but this time part of the clearcoat came off. Don't know why...allowed the adhesive remover to soak in, heated it up, and cut with some line. Cleaned off the area in the back towards the door handle first and noticed an indentation in the paint so i put them back on with 3M body tape. $30 down the drain. Oh well.
I have done 3 cars ans NEVER put adhesive remover before.
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Originally Posted by lt1george
Another member had a nightmare of a time because his door had been painted. Took them off and had to put them back on, so make sure dealer didn't do any paint work. Good Luck.Save the Wave.>George
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If you use the fishing line, you don't really need to "saw" the entire length of the BSM - just free up enough that you can get ahold of it, and you can gently pull it off using outward pressure.
It does take some time to get the residue off. Blisters have been known to happen, because you need to use your thumbs & fingers to roll of the excess goo....
It does take some time to get the residue off. Blisters have been known to happen, because you need to use your thumbs & fingers to roll of the excess goo....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by SamsBud
If you use the fishing line, you don't really need to "saw" the entire length of the BSM - just free up enough that you can get ahold of it, and you can gently pull it off using outward pressure.
That is probably what pulled off the clear coat. I sawed mine all the way with the fishing line method. I think this is the best way to do it. Then you can roll off any remaining adhesive that is on the paint.