Removing moldings - any surprises?

[Zeya]

There's this awesome general how-to here:

http://www.mzspd3.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4737&highlight=remover

and I'm wondering if there are any lurking surprises for the MS3. (That how-to was written for a Protege.) Are there any hidden tabs or holes I'll come across under the moldings?

I'm thinking I'll pick up the 3M solution and some fishing line and do this tomorrow before my wash/wax.

 

[LilZoom]

No surprises just go slow and be patient.

My car was pre-owned so I discovered some issues with paint underneath one of them but if yours is new you should be good to go.

 

[Zeya]

No surprises just go slow and be patient.

My car was pre-owned so I discovered some issues with paint underneath one of them but if yours is new you should be good to go.

Cool, thanks! Can I also ask what tools you used? That how-to suggested fishing wire.

 

[ppself]

I'm thinking of trying this as well. This weekend if the weather is nice. sucks though, becuase I know the freaking bumpers are useless because some idiot has already dinged up my door in the parking lot.

Luckily it's not that big of a ding.

 

[LilZoom]

Well I didn't use anything close to what they used in the how-to thread I would def suggest going by that.

I used a hair dryer and patience they came off all 4 in about 20 minutes. The hair dryer was a result of the boyfriend taking my heat gun so I improvised and showed him lol.

I just found apparently after the person who had hit the sit that it left a nasty little indent.

Any left over glue I just hit the car with a clay wax that day anyhow so it al came right up.

 

[zim]

all I did was get some fishing line and go back and forth between the molding. the heat from the friction melts the adhesive but be careful not to move to fast or the fishing line will also melt. then I removed the left over adhesive with goof off rubbing alcohol and waxed the area afterwards. much easier. it took me about 30 minutes to do both sides of the car.

 

[Bravnik]

Removing the moldings is easy as pie. I got a Zip Tie (big one) and ran it under the end and pulled up till I could get a grip with my hands. Then all I did was slowly pull it off the car. I only got a little glue in one spot and was done in about 10m.

I would not use any type of glue remover or anything. Just grab and slowly pull. It works good and I did mine in like 40deg weather. Besides, if my way does not work for some crazy reason you can always try the glue remover or another method.

After, wash the car and wax and you're all done.

 

[Zeya]

Hey thanks for the tips. I actually headed to the hardware and picked up some plastic picture hanger wire, some plastic paint spreader things that look like they might be handy, and the 3M adhesive remover stuff. The only thing that cost significant cash was the adhesive remover for like 12 dollars; I wish that stuff came in a bottle about 1/4 the size. May as well use the stuff at this point, no? I don't know about the heat gun; hopefully I won't need it... At any rate I'll probably do this on Sunday. I'll try and do a before/after with the camera.

 

[Zeya]

Oh one more thing. What did you do with the moldings afterwards? I doubt they have resale value, haha. I'm thinking I'll just throw them away.

 

[robin2660]

Oh one more thing. What did you do with the moldings afterwards? I doubt they have resale value, haha. I'm thinking I'll just throw them away.

Need to get a collection going and we can slap 5 or 6 sets on someone's car for the sweet look.

I'll donate mine (black).

 

[mazdathree2.3s]

i think i'm the only one who ran into a problem with this. i went with the hair dryer method, only i managed to peel off the clear coat around the bumper strip. it looked almost as if the clear coat was applied after the bumper was put on the car. i have taken off the other 3 yet lol so it looks a little goofy right now. waiting for funds to build up again to figure out what i'm going to do with this door now though.(braindead

 

[LilZoom]

You may have let it heat up to much, you only need it to get it that the clue gets a little goopy, if your going to heat it up.

I would suggest using the how to for the other 3 !!!!

My molding I put on the garage wall they just kinda stuck there and I've never taken them down.

 

[mazdathree2.3s]

what are options for repairs on a strip of clear coat missing on the door? i imagine worst case scenario: i'd need to have it removed, sanded, and resprayed. with the hopes that it matches the rest of the paint?

i like the mod and will probably get the 3M adhesive remover to finish it. does anyone know if the 2.3 badge is just taped on as well?

 

[mazdaspeed32007]

thats kinda weird. i literally just got a finger under one part and it pulled right off. the only residue was a tiny bit of s*** from dirt sticking to the glue around the moulding. wiped right off with a micro fiber and some quick detail.

 

[Bravnik]

thats kinda weird. i literally just got a finger under one part and it pulled right off. the only residue was a tiny bit of s*** from dirt sticking to the glue around the moulding. wiped right off with a micro fiber and some quick detail.

Yep same for me. No need to do anything fancy. Pull the s*** off and be done

 

[LilZoom]

what are options for repairs on a strip of clear coat missing on the door? i imagine worst case scenario: i'd need to have it removed, sanded, and resprayed. with the hopes that it matches the rest of the paint?

i like the mod and will probably get the 3M adhesive remover to finish it. does anyone know if the 2.3 badge is just taped on as well?

the 2.3 is the same thing just pull it off slowly. The only thing I can't pull off was the Mazda thing on my truck because it was screwed in. Even the words mazda have 2 screws the only thing I was able was to pull of the trunk was the 3.

If your car is new I wouldn't worry about there being any missing paint if you do it slowly. If not a shop could prob blend it too.

 

[buttdart]

i think i'll do this to my car next weekend.

 

[Zeya]

I went ahead and took them off! Read about it here if you want:
http://www.mzspd3.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3783201&posted=1#post3783201

 

[D_Roc7822]

I used dental floss and was able to get everything off that I needed to... and then goo gone to remove the reminents.

 

[dan1101]

Need to get a collection going and we can slap 5 or 6 sets on someone's car for the sweet look.

I'll donate mine (black).

If I can get 5 or 6 guys to donate silver ones I can go for the Ferrari Testarossa look. Then I'll be cool! (stoned)