Side moulding removal...

Topic: Side moulding removal... (Read 2741 times) previous topic - next topic

Side moulding removal...

May 17, 2005, 09:25:14 PM

Simple, I hope. Does anyone know if the side mouldings are held on with adhesive, sticky tape, or clips? I really want to remove these for a few weeks while preparing body for paint, but would like to know what I'm getting into first. What's the best way to remove them without causing damage?

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #1 – May 17, 2005, 10:04:43 PM

There held on with 3m adhesive tape,and have to be carefully cut off of the car.
If you bend the moulding without cutting off the tape you will destroy the mouldings and will not be able to stick them back on as they will be wavy and will look horrible.
Carefully wedge a long carpet knife or blade inbetween the door and moulding and start cutting.
Will take awhile but don't bend the mouldings.

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #2 – May 17, 2005, 10:12:59 PM

Hah your in for hours of tired arms and headaches...

The Front and Rear bumber mouldings are held on my screws/bolts that will be found inside your front fender and trunk well. There are no adhesive on these... this is really easy.

NOW.... all 6 side mouldings have adhesive backing. This is the PITA part....

the side moulding was prolly one of the worst experiences when I was painting my car. We used a small (thin) putty knife. kept it sharp and worked it underneath. Actually cutting the adhesive as close as to the body as possible. If you do hit metal, dont worry, alittle touchup and its done, plus it will be covered.

After I cutted along the mouldings with the knife. I used large utilitie knife blades along with heavy duty degreaser to se away the adhesive that remained on the mouldings. Be careful doing this as I slipped and sliced my fingers pretty good. The adhesive is very hard to work with because mine was hard and soft in different areas. Make sure the moulding is completing cleaned off of any adhesive before you do anything else.

Next I used the same degreaser and again cut away at the excess adhesive that remained on the door. used a few rags and with lots of elbow grease eventually got it off.

Not very much fun and requires a LONG time when doing it yourself. Maybe there was an easier way but its what I had to work with.

May I recommend 3M brand only for the double sided adhesive tape. Very flexible and extremely sticky. Bad part is that whenever it sticks, thats where she lies....unless you wanna se again. Very good stuff, but expensive.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #3 – May 17, 2005, 10:56:34 PM

87-88 -> Front and rear quarters = Bolts. Doors adhesive
83-86 -> All Adhesive -> front finder + bolts ahead of front wheels.

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #4 – May 17, 2005, 11:44:25 PM

It's a big PITA to get off. I'm in the process now of getting mine cleaned up to be painted for reinstallation after the paint-job.

The knife method kind of works, but the tape is almost self-healing....You almost have to be prying the strip away from the body while slicing to get it off easily. That being said, the set I pulled off my doors in storage I was able to pull off by hand with no cutting.

I'm actually looking at taking off that metal backing so they will lay flat and not curl up at the ends. I'l need to be sure the longer lengths are put on straight though to avoid any waviness, but the shorter pieces should not be an issue.

Regardless of how you do it...you will spend LOTS of time removing and cleaning them...

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #5 – May 18, 2005, 02:13:26 AM

Thanks to everyone...kind of figured it would be a PITA. Seems like everything I get into these days turns out to be. I know mine are stuck pretty solid, and was the reason I asked before I just started tugging and bending. I'm guessing they have never been removed, and to still be in place from factory says something about the adhesive.

Hey, I finally posted pic's in the user ride forum. Take a look and get a good laugh.

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #6 – May 18, 2005, 08:05:49 AM

Ok with the bending stuff...

I set mine flat on the ground for 2 days and they straightened 100% perfect.
On the day of removal some were curving alittle. But as they sat flat, their own weight straightened them out.

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #7 – May 18, 2005, 01:38:26 PM

i have to also vote ,, its a pain. The least fun part of redoing the outside. It much rather have shaved the front and rear trim to flush at the corners and leave off the molding all together.

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #8 – May 18, 2005, 03:01:42 PM

Wanna get 'em off easy?? Leave it in the California sun for a couple of seasons !!! My front fender pieces (and soon the rear) just fell off !!!! Other problem is they tend to bow out at the ends. Anybody have any ideas how to permanently flatten them??? I was thinking about clamping them to a jig with a reverse mild bow in it and cookin' in the oven at about 200F for a couple of hours.
If your gonna repaint the car, acetone and scrubbing will take off the adhesive (and the paint) with a little less work than most adhesive removers.

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #9 – May 19, 2005, 02:08:47 PM

I pulled the stuff off both sides of mine the other day, have yet to get the (rest) of the adhesive off. Will as soon as I can, though.
My car is ghetto enough as it is... :D
(7 day work weeks tend to leave ya a little out of free time-heh)

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #10 – May 20, 2005, 11:56:25 PM

The best way is like chuck said pull off al the metal backing and lay them flat. After a couple days they should bet flat as can be. They are made of polyurathane. I did this with some of mine and was very pleased with the results.

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #11 – May 30, 2005, 01:10:00 PM

If You Do Bend It You Can Cut The Meatle Out Of The Back And They Will Be Fine.sharp Razor And Remove The Strip

Re: Side moulding removal...

Reply #12 – May 31, 2005, 10:31:27 PM

I'm picking up my parts car this weekend, if everything works in my favor. I will start prepping for paint the weekend after. Thanks for all the 'encouragement' for the fun ahead !! Nice to know everyone seems to have enjoyed this task.

Dave