Remove Weather Striping and Detailing?

[gizzard]

First, a picture to describe the uglyness:

My car came from the dealer like this and they said that they don't remove these types of things. Is there any way I can remove the fender and door guards and detail stripe without damaging my paint? Is there anywhere I can take my car to have it done for me?

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Protege5Gurly]

I would guess that its just held on with adhesives. Heat it up with either a heat gun or hair dryer and peel it off. Then use a good adhesive remover (3M has a good one) and wax the area after. You shouldnt have a prob at all.

Is the stripe a sticker or painted? If sticker, do the same thing with that as you did the molding.


Pe@ce

 

[YellowMP5]

there will be glue and gunk left over after you remove the black strips. if they were not on a car a long time, you should be ok. just use some cleaner to remove the gunk.

is the pinstripe painted? in any case, take it to a detail shop i guess and they will buff the area to make sure the paint matches after pinstripe removal.

did you buy the car new or used? if new, i would think that the dealer MUST provide the car in the condition that you request.

btw, welcome to the board.

 

[MisterT]

I can't believe that they sold it to you looking like that!

MisterT

 

[Familia323]

eewww... the one on the door is a door guard, for people who like to swing their doors open into other peoples cars. yeah do what Protege5Gurly said if you cant just pull it off. But when you heat it up, dont heat it up too much. When the pinstripe and molding start to pull up with ease then let off the heat a little in that spot.

 

[gizzard]

Thanks for your help guys. I'll try this tomorrow afternoon when I have some time.

Edit: Where can I get the 3M adhesive remover? Staples? Office Depot? Home Depot?

Edit #2: Yup, I answered my own question. =)

 

[Protege5Gurly]

You can get the 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover at most car part stores and even Wal-Mart's auto section.

Pe@ce

 

[gizzard]

Using a hair drying, I was able to easily remove the weather striping from the doors and fenders. Removing 8 strips took me about an hour (less if I had another extension cord and didn't have to turn the car around). I bought the adhesive remover but I didn't even need to use it. I'll probably keep it around in case I need it in the future.

Thanks again for the help!

(I'll take a few pictures when the sun isn't so bright.)

 

[dominoy2k1]

maybe and eraser disk.....you gonna remove the pinstriping?

 

[gizzard]

I'm going to leave it for now. My mom says she likes it, so who am I to argue? After all, she's payin' the bills still.