TheNip73

has anyone reoplaced the vinyl window trim on thier car? Is it even possible. I know it is painted beneath the "sticker", but I want to keep it black. Mine got some wax on it or something and has faded and looks like total (fill in explicitive term here). I was just wondering if this repair is possible and if it has been done. How long did it take and how much it cost you would be appreciated too. Is it even worth my time?

Also, I am predicting a consensus already about just peeling off the trim off to expose the paint. I am not very open to that option unless you can produce pics of a Deep evergreen Maxima where it has been done so I can see how it looks.

Thanks everyone.

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

I have a deep green almost balck color and it looks good with the black trim removed. I'll see if I have a pic that you can see it in....

Maybe try Mothers "back to black" to regain the look of the stock trim. It worked great on my plastic molding.....

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

Don't think it's really good enought to tell, but.......

MaxedOutOfCash

I don't have a green color max but I took the trim off mine and I'm very happy with it. I did use a power tool to take it off and I took a lot of the clear paint off with the trim so be careful. I have to repaint mine to make them look nice.

TheNip73

Thanks for the replies I30 and Maxed. I know to take the trim off does not require a powertool so I am not worried about messing up my finish. My vechicle is quite dark so maybe it wouldn't look that bad or even be noticeable. Thanks for the pic I30, but it is a little hard to get a feel for the difference in that pic. Maybe somebody else on the org will produce a different for me... hint hint.

Dave Holmes

I thought about taking mine off before and leaving it white. So, just in case I didn't like it, I checked pricing/availability of the black vinyl to replace it (still haven't gotten around to it). I found it at a local sign shop, and the lady said for both sides would be less than $10 in vinyl tape. Installation shouldn't be that hard, with the hardest part being getting the tape under the rubber trim. But a credit card would work for that. Thanks for reminding me that I need to do mine, as they're faded/scratched, too. Back to Black does nothing for them, either.

Dave

geo1317

iTrader: (17)

just take it off and save yourself the time, effort and money of replacing it.

TheNip73

Excellent Pic. the removallooks good on your car. I may go the removal route after viewing that pic. how exactly did you go about removal. I have my ideas, but I want some additional input. Thanks.

geo1317

iTrader: (17)

I picked a hot day (heat gun or a hair dryer would work too) and used my fingers, and all i can tell you is that my fingers hurt like hell at the end of the day, but it was all worth it. Then just get the excess glue off and wax the area and you are done

meccanoble

iTrader: (22)

i plan to do this soon

TheNip73

I went and looked at my car. I am pretty sure I want to remove the film. The front windows look to be relatively easy to do. The tape wraps around the back of the door and is exposed making a good starting point to start the removal. However, for the rear door, the end of the film is not exposed and is behind some window trim pieces. How did you remove the rear film, or did you use a knife to cut the film near the trim? I looked for a few minutes before I decided it would be best to get some insight into the best approach. Any insight appreciated. Also, what did you use to remove remaining adhesive? I know gas would be a great solvent and would dissolve it rapidly, but I don't think it is great for the paint. Perhaps some goo gone?

TheNip

NyCzBuBBa

iTrader: (10)

Use limo tint.

geo1317

iTrader: (17)

if i remember correctly, you have to remove the rubber piece that’s there to keep water out, after that you can get at the vinyl. And as for cleaning i used some stuff that’s meant for taking off sap off paint.

TheNip73

The rubber piece appears to be attached with adhesive. Did you reglue it back on? That was the route I was planning to take, expect I don't want to be removing peices held in place with adhesive unless there is an easy way to radhere them.

TheNip73

So as luck has it, I finally got around to doing this mod. I must say, it was very easy, and yes my fingers did hurt the next day, but it was well worth it. Here are soeme pics, but they don't do any justice to how great of an improvement there is!!!

Before



After



I took a pic of the front window with film on and the rear window without film as well, but it came out blurry

I highly suggest doing this mod if your window film looks as nasty as mine did.

cook87

i did this mod but cant find anythng to take off the sticky stuff left behind.... i tried goo-gone and even the stuff i used to shave my emblems but nothing worked....what did u guys used to get it off?

inj3n

iTrader: (1)

i heated the residue with a hair dryer (in sections) and scrubbed like hell.

D1NOnly34

iTrader: (4)

I took the vinyl off 3 of the 4 pillars. The 4th pillar looks like its not vinyl at all, feels like im trying to peel the body. It sucks. I also have a lot of that residue left on, I'm guessing goo-gone will do the trick right?

TheNip73

Goo Gone won't do a thing. The secret is No. 7 Brand bug and tar remover and a hell of a lot of elbow grease. It will take a while to cut through the adhesive with the bug and tar remover, but be patient and you will be rewarded.