Removed my side molding too!

[fluke]

I finally made up my mind a couple days ago to remove the side moldings from my WS6. Today I had nice weather (40s, sunny) so I took on the task with info I gathered here on the forums. I took pictures along the way for anyone else that's thinking about doing the same thing and wants to see it on a Trans Am (I saw the Camaro writeup). This took me about and hour and a half from set up to clean up.

Materials I used:
- can of 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner (1 quart was $14)
- bucket and mesh/microfiber sponge
- clean, plain water
- 2 terry towels
- extension cord (outdoor)
- really old hair dryer


Before:



First thing I did was heat up the molding and tape/glue with the hair dryer.


Then when it's hot you can pull up on it and it will start to come loose.


Keep heating up the glue and gently pull it away slowly as each length gets hot enough to pull away.


When the piece is off the car, you likely have glue/tape left behind, just heat it up more if you need to and roll it off with your thumb.



To get the rest off, add some of the 3m adhesive cleaner to a terry towel and saturate it and rub it gently.


Wash the rest off will clean water and gently scrub it clean.


Dry it off with the other terry towel and check for missed spots. Repeat cleaning if needed.


Repeat procedure for the rest of the pieces. Then you're almost done.



Just wash the car and add wax.








I wish I had done this sooner, and I love the way it turned out!

[98T/Aformula.]

I think I might be doing mine this weekend, looks very good !

[fluke]

I think I might be doing mine this weekend, looks very good !

Thanks, man!

[SSwt00SS]

been there, done that. got blisters on your fingers?

looks good!!!

[fluke]

been there, done that. got blisters on your fingers?

looks good!!!

My hands are pretty dried out from the cleaner, but I escaped the blisters by alternating thumbs and using fingers too. I spread the pain around. Thanks man!

[AiDRocks]

Looks alot better!

[SAGGIN]

I have a agree it looks a lot better. I only reason I won't remove mine is because I've seen that molding prevent door dings.

[TopForm11]

Good write up man!!!

[fluke]

Looks alot better!

I have a agree it looks a lot better. I only reason I won't remove mine is because I've seen that molding prevent door dings.

Thanks! I live in a pretty rural area now so I'm not too worried about dings. The ones I did get on my car were never any nicks in the sidemoldings but instead near the upper part of my door at handle level anyway.

Good write up man!!!

Thanks!

[banditgirl78]

Nicely done. It looks good!

[Y2KPewterSS]

Nice improvement, I remember the sore thumb as well

[JoshieDoom]

Im doing this tomorrow! ahh!

[FuhBreezeE]

Looks great, Fluke!

I haven't done this yet because the car has been repainted and I'm terrified of the results if I do.

Once again, looks very nice.

[JoshieDoom]

I know my front bumper and hood has been repainted .. I just have purchased 3m adhesive remover and a lot of undercoat and polish. Spring detail tommorow. Im hoping to god no one has painted over the trim. I will find out.

[jimmybling31]

im gonna do it tomorrow or next weekend. whenever I have time to. thanks for the write up

[sdavis2702]

Yup... I didnt regret taking them off of my TA at all!

[slplswon]

same here..i think its a very subtle appearance mod that still really makes a difference to the ppl that know what they are looking at...i have a few friends that couldnt even tell when mine were done...but my friends that know these cars noticed and like it right away

[Bouvers]

I've been scared to do it for two reasons... first off I like the idea of having them to prevent door dings, but come to think of it if I'm ever going to get one its most likely going to be on the top convexness at door handle height not down there.
Secondly, because of fading/color difference but seeing as how my car is in pretty good condition and since its Pewter I don't think it would show much even if there was a difference, might be different with different colors. I like what it looks like on your car, thanks for the write up I'm going to seriously consider doing this now.

[patriot1136]

i so need to do this

[99'CajunFirehawk157]

I only reason I won't remove mine is because I've seen that molding prevent door dings.

Someone correct me and I am sure someone will, but if memory serves, the fenders and door are fiberglass are'nt they?