Side mouldings removed ("shaved")

[slang]

All,

In case anyone has thought about removing their side mouldings but have been a bit worried about it, then this is written for you.

Until a week ago I didn't think I'd do this but after meeting Jected and Exotica in Melbourne and seeing their large and clean doors, I decided that I'd do it sooner than later and this afternoon was the perfect time.

The way I did it basically follows a thread I found in the US section with a link to a You Tube how-to clip.

1. Soaked the top of the side mouldings with CRC and waited 10 minutes.

2. Used a plastic paint scraper-type tool with a Chux cloth folded over a couple of times and over the end of the plastic scraper's 10cm wide (?) edge.

3. Firmly pushed the Chux covered plastic scraper between the panel and moulding and whilst pulling moulding with left hand, pushed the scraper with the right hand. For the following mouldings, I soaked the edge of the Chux in CRC which helped to lubricate the back of the moulding as I slid it along. This was lucky to have taken 5 minutes total.

4. Once all were removed, I had to straighten them back out a little (for storage).

5. I then had the "fun" job of removing the residual tape that was still stuck to the doors. This took the best part of 2 hours.

Some "goo removing" tips:

a. The larger pieces should "roll" off just by rubbing it with your thumb, nail, or scraper.

b. The worst part was the smaller pieces that were very difficult (for me). I tried to use some Aussie made "goo remover" (can't recall the brand) which was a citrus type. It sucked! I ended up soaking the leftover "goo" with CRC. I then used some hot water and car wash in a bowl to breakdown the goo. Then using the plastic scraper covered with Chux I repeatedly poured Eucalyptus Oil onto the side of the Chux-covered scraper. This was then moved in a quite vigorous up/down/left/right/diagonal motion which ended up clearing all the goo away.

c. Be careful not to scratch your car with the plastic scraper (mostly corners) pushing through the cloth. However, the corners were the best way to get the stubborn goo off.

That's more than enough detail for now. All I will add is that the following may help to reduce the amount fo goo left behind (experts please jump in and tell the rest which would be best):

i. Peeling the mouldings off much slower, possibly with a 2nd set of hands helping.
ii.Soaking the moulders with CRC for hours intead of minutes.
iii. Heating the tape on the mouldings as you slowly peel them off.
iv. Using fishing line tied between two keyrings (or similar) and using a "sawing" motion

Even though I've only had the car since late Oct 07, I will probably polish the sides tomorrow.

The only other thing is that I couldn't work out whether I could salvage the 300C side badges as the strips were incorporated with them, so I'll probably just order some freshies and whack them on later.

If your confidence needs a boost, do a search for moulding removals here or on You Tube for the short instructional video someone else prepared. And the ultimate boost should be that I am an office worker with little "handyman" knowledge or experience.

Apologies for the length of this post. Hope this helps someone.

[CUEBALL]

Thanks for the write-up! Looks good in person, doesn't it!


After I did mine, I let someone else use my tools to do their Caddy.... I filed the corners of the plastic putty knife so they were rounded.... I nicked one spot when the sharp corner came through the cloth..

Thanks for the tips!

[Hemi57]

slang, I reckon you chose a hard way to remove the moldings. For me using fishing line to remove the moldings was real easy, then using a hairdryer to heat the remaining tape and rolling that off left minimum residual goo. I used a Citrus Oil, which someone has advised is a bit aggressive, where WD40 would have been better. The adhesive on the badges is much tougher to remove than the long moldings as you would have experienced.

[slang]

John, now that it is done I agree with you....but the You Tube video link that I found through the forums made it look so easy, but didn't go on to show the amount of leftover crap. Hence starting this thread so others might learn from my experience and refine their technique. I'd hate for someone not to do it because they think it would be too hard or too much effort. Even my way, 2 hours is not that bad, but shorter would be better. Cheers.

[Hemi57]

No worries slang.

You may not have noticed it yet but removing the moldings off the doors turned them into a bit of a big "drum". My wife noticed/complained about it first. Reckoned there was a boom noise when the door was slammed shut. Sure enough, if you lightly thump the outside of the door with your hand it makes a boom. The molding stops the door flexing.

[slang]

Yeah, I noticed the door flexing where the moulding used to be when I was cleaning the goo off. But unlike your Mrs, mine won't be commenting on anything. She HATES the car and she's been told, if she hasn't got anything nice to say.....you know the rest. Probably why I removed the mouldings.....to get a reaction. All fun and games!

[300c Touring]

Originally Posted by slang

Yeah, I noticed the door flexing where the moulding used to be when I was cleaning the goo off. My Mrs won't be commenting on anything. She HATES the 300C and she has been told, if she hasn't got anything nice to say..... Probably why I removed the mouldings.....to get a reaction. All fun and games!

Slang, I can sympathise , my wife is the same, I'll shout you a beer tomorrow at the NSW M&G

[switcher]

I thought about removing the moulding for a minute or two, but I think it looks too good.

[whipit]

I Agree with Hemi57, I used the fishing line, it was really easy and means theres no chance of bending the strip in case you want to put them back on later.

I used a hairdryer also, although it was still a bit of a pain to get all the goo off.

I actually had a guy come out and give my car a professional buff & polish a few days afterwards, it came up looking perfect.

Personally I think this is an awesome mod, and it combined with lowering it turns the 300 from great looking to awesome, I get so many compliments.

cheers

[DESIREE]

Before removing my door side moldings the doors sounded solid, closing with a thud. After removal of the moldings the doors sound tinny, closing with a bit of a ring. Who cares, not I. It's all about the appearance!

I don't know about the HEMI/C badges on the 2007 model year, but on the 2005 they were on the front fender with an extension of the side molding literally passing through the back side of the badge. The short piece of side molding was attached to the HEMI/C portion with an adhesive. I pried the molding from the HEMI/C portion which left the about a 1/4" offset in the back surface. I then used a disc sander/grinder to flush out the back side, and then remounted the the HEMI/C badge on the 'C' pillar with some 3M VHB foam tape.

I also bought (2) of the 300/C badges (as found on the trunk lid of the 2005's) and mounted them on the sides of the front fenders about where the HEMI/C badge had been.

It's all about customizing.