Removal of Body Molding
#1
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
Removal of Body Molding
Hello all,
I am torn between replacing all the silver trim on my Q5 with the gloss black s-line molding and roof rails or simply painting the existing silver molding and roof rails. Is the removal too much of a PITA or is it not a big deal? I have read that removal, or at least lowering, of the headliner is necessary to remove the roof rails. Is this true? If so, what does that entail?
As for the molding around the windows, is that a major undertaking or fairly simple? I don't mind doing the paint work myself if everything is removed, more curious to the removal / replacement process. Thanks in advance for any recommendations or links to DIY of the removal / replacement.
Best,
-BG
I am torn between replacing all the silver trim on my Q5 with the gloss black s-line molding and roof rails or simply painting the existing silver molding and roof rails. Is the removal too much of a PITA or is it not a big deal? I have read that removal, or at least lowering, of the headliner is necessary to remove the roof rails. Is this true? If so, what does that entail?
As for the molding around the windows, is that a major undertaking or fairly simple? I don't mind doing the paint work myself if everything is removed, more curious to the removal / replacement process. Thanks in advance for any recommendations or links to DIY of the removal / replacement.
Best,
-BG
#3
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
#4
AudiWorld Super User
#5
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
What you need is in this link: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AohwXF8u7momgcd0ficSWp2CpMHYwQ
Thanks so much. This will help immensely.
-Best
#6
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
DennisMitchell,
Do you have experience with wrapping the molding and roof rails while leaving them on the vehicle? Curious if it's still possible to get a good/clean/complete wrap on the trim on each piece...
Thanks
Do you have experience with wrapping the molding and roof rails while leaving them on the vehicle? Curious if it's still possible to get a good/clean/complete wrap on the trim on each piece...
Thanks
#7
AudiWorld Super User
BENNY-
benny-
Wraps usually can be carefully tucked into the edges of trim. They're self-adhesive. Carefully tucking and trimming requires some practice, some proper sharp blades (that you throw away *before* you think they are dull) and some more practice. Removing the trim should not be necessary. It might be worth asking a wrap shop to do this.
Actually painting metallic trim would be a world of pain. Again, removing is not necessary but getting the paint to stick probably means abrading the surfaces, whic makes masking or removing an issue again. Removing them and having them power coating or chemically "blued" with a black chrome or other finish is possible. I haven't explored but expect the roof rack is bolted down, which would require opening the headliner, which can problematic.
Overall, I think asking a wrap shop will be most effective and cheapest in the long run.
benny-
Wraps usually can be carefully tucked into the edges of trim. They're self-adhesive. Carefully tucking and trimming requires some practice, some proper sharp blades (that you throw away *before* you think they are dull) and some more practice. Removing the trim should not be necessary. It might be worth asking a wrap shop to do this.
Actually painting metallic trim would be a world of pain. Again, removing is not necessary but getting the paint to stick probably means abrading the surfaces, whic makes masking or removing an issue again. Removing them and having them power coating or chemically "blued" with a black chrome or other finish is possible. I haven't explored but expect the roof rack is bolted down, which would require opening the headliner, which can problematic.
Overall, I think asking a wrap shop will be most effective and cheapest in the long run.
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#8
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
BENNY-
benny-
Wraps usually can be carefully tucked into the edges of trim. They're self-adhesive. Carefully tucking and trimming requires some practice, some proper sharp blades (that you throw away *before* you think they are dull) and some more practice. Removing the trim should not be necessary. It might be worth asking a wrap shop to do this.
Actually painting metallic trim would be a world of pain. Again, removing is not necessary but getting the paint to stick probably means abrading the surfaces, whic makes masking or removing an issue again. Removing them and having them power coating or chemically "blued" with a black chrome or other finish is possible. I haven't explored but expect the roof rack is bolted down, which would require opening the headliner, which can problematic.
Overall, I think asking a wrap shop will be most effective and cheapest in the long run.
benny-
Wraps usually can be carefully tucked into the edges of trim. They're self-adhesive. Carefully tucking and trimming requires some practice, some proper sharp blades (that you throw away *before* you think they are dull) and some more practice. Removing the trim should not be necessary. It might be worth asking a wrap shop to do this.
Actually painting metallic trim would be a world of pain. Again, removing is not necessary but getting the paint to stick probably means abrading the surfaces, whic makes masking or removing an issue again. Removing them and having them power coating or chemically "blued" with a black chrome or other finish is possible. I haven't explored but expect the roof rack is bolted down, which would require opening the headliner, which can problematic.
Overall, I think asking a wrap shop will be most effective and cheapest in the long run.
Thanks for the feedback. I have not personally wrapped a vehicle, as I have always had a shop that removes all bumpers and doors do it. Although, I understand the process of using a film and it is a failry straight forward process. I was initially going to remove all trim, have it dipped in acid to remove the silver paint and prepare it for the paint to adhere then just reinstall trim. However, wrapping would save some significant time, not to mention I can remove the wrap should I ever desire.
I will have to take a closer look at the trim to ensure enough space - even considering how thin the film is - to get a nice tuck and to get the tool in there to really press the film down. It seems as though removing all the trim is more hassle than it is worth and I would not paint the trim while on the car. The quote I got from a local shop was so labor intensive that I couldn't justify paying $1250 in labor for $50 in materials to be done. especially considering I wasn't sure I wanted it painted. Yes they wanted $1300 to paint the trim.
Thanks again.
#9
AudiWorld Super User
Take a look online for "plastic razor blade". Usually a polycarbonate "single edge razor blade" expect it is made of plastic so it can't scratch, very good for tucking things into cracks, or scraping things off. Sold by a dozen vendors in different colors on Amazon, all seem to be the same except for the color. Also makes a good way to scrape goo off paint without scratching.
#10
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
Take a look online for "plastic razor blade". Usually a polycarbonate "single edge razor blade" expect it is made of plastic so it can't scratch, very good for tucking things into cracks, or scraping things off. Sold by a dozen vendors in different colors on Amazon, all seem to be the same except for the color. Also makes a good way to scrape goo off paint without scratching.
Will take a look. Thank you. Some of the vinyl kits I have been looking at come with the tools such as plastic blades but wouldn't hurt to order the specific polycarbonate blade ahead of time so I don't have to wait once the wrap comes in.
Thanks again.
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