Anybody strip the chrome along the doors?
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
Anybody strip the chrome along the doors?
I've been thinking about it pretty hard. I figure worst case is I get new stickers and have a body shop install them. I really like the cleaner look and not too sure what these strips do when they are so low.
And why do they look so cheesy? Just stickers? Is this a C Class thing?
And why do they look so cheesy? Just stickers? Is this a C Class thing?
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: Manchester, UK
2008 220CDI Sport Auto Estate, Obsidian Black, Black leather, Heated Seats,Pan Roof, Comand,
Try this link, there are a couple that have done it
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/243638-has-anybody-thought-about.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/243638-has-anybody-thought-about.html
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 373
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From: Long Island, NY
06 CLS55 AMG
Raise a corner up (you can use a credit card, piece of fishing lure, whatever you got handy) and give it a good yank... If you're lucky, and the temp is just right (colder weather works best), it'll rip right off in one shot... If it's too hot out, chances are you will need to pull and break it off in small pieces...
All in all, it should only take you a few minutes and the results (IMO) are a cleaner, smoother, sportier looking C...
All in all, it should only take you a few minutes and the results (IMO) are a cleaner, smoother, sportier looking C...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
Raise a corner up (you can use a credit card, piece of fishing lure, whatever you got handy) and give it a good yank... If you're lucky, and the temp is just right (colder weather works best), it'll rip right off in one shot... If it's too hot out, chances are you will need to pull and break it off in small pieces...
All in all, it should only take you a few minutes and the results (IMO) are a cleaner, smoother, sportier looking C...
All in all, it should only take you a few minutes and the results (IMO) are a cleaner, smoother, sportier looking C...
And others keep saying the temperature must be hot or a heat gun (hair dryer) must be used to pull these plastic pieces off... hmmm...
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 373
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From: Long Island, NY
06 CLS55 AMG
You can use heat gun if you like, but the problem that I've seen with the chrome strips on the side of the C, no matter how you go about removing them, they're prone to cracking. So with that said, you really don't have to be so "delicate" in removing them. Save yourself the hassle, and just wait for a cool evening to simply pull them off...
As for the rims, they're 18" OZ 35th Anniversary Editions with 235/40 Good Year F1's. I had originally lowered the car with H&R springs on 225/40 Bridgestone Pontenza's, but the dry road handling on those tires were terrible. Even with the lower center of gravity, the car with the Bridgestone's felt very unstable and "sloppy". It felt more like a caravan than a sports sedan. When I upgraded to the wider F1's, they were rubbing pretty bad on the inner front fender walls, so I installed the OEM springs back on. With the car at stock height, no more rubbing and the handle 110% better with the F1's. I could have gone with a lower profile tire and kept the car lowered, but being that this is my wifes car (she's a pot-hole queen) I really wanted to stick with a more "meaty" 40 series all-season tire than something in the lines of a summer 30-25 series tires (which would have worked).
I'm now shopping (more like waiting) around for a set of adjustable coil-overs. This way I can dial in the height and make things a little more tolerable for my wife to enjoy.
As for the rims, they're 18" OZ 35th Anniversary Editions with 235/40 Good Year F1's. I had originally lowered the car with H&R springs on 225/40 Bridgestone Pontenza's, but the dry road handling on those tires were terrible. Even with the lower center of gravity, the car with the Bridgestone's felt very unstable and "sloppy". It felt more like a caravan than a sports sedan. When I upgraded to the wider F1's, they were rubbing pretty bad on the inner front fender walls, so I installed the OEM springs back on. With the car at stock height, no more rubbing and the handle 110% better with the F1's. I could have gone with a lower profile tire and kept the car lowered, but being that this is my wifes car (she's a pot-hole queen) I really wanted to stick with a more "meaty" 40 series all-season tire than something in the lines of a summer 30-25 series tires (which would have worked).
I'm now shopping (more like waiting) around for a set of adjustable coil-overs. This way I can dial in the height and make things a little more tolerable for my wife to enjoy.
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From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
Nice wheels, by the way. I love the design. I'd seen it before on TireRack, but just couldn't remember what they were. If I remember correctly, I decided against them because they were not available in 19". But now that I've decided to stick with 18"s.......
Maybe.In any case, nice ride!
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 373
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From: Long Island, NY
06 CLS55 AMG
As long as you don't use anything sharp or blunt to remove the strips / emblems, you won't do any damage to the paint. Fishing lure (from behind) or even an old credit card (from the side) will get the job done. If you're really worried, place a small strip of masking tape on the "leverage edge" of where you're working. It will protect the paint. You can also use a small rag, to do the same. The emblems will come off easier in that they shouldn't crack or break upon removal, but once again, the strips crack very easily. You can save the emblems, but don't plan on reusing the strips...
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Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Sweet, that looks nice. I'm fishing lining mine, too. I've used heat guns or just let it sit in the sun, but the gun helps. I've got one at work if anyone wants to come by...HAHAH!! 
Now to talk the wifey and mom into it
Now to talk the wifey and mom into it
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From: Wyckoff, New Jersey & Alphabet City NYC
86 190E 2.3-16v, 92 500E, 03 CL55 AMG, 08 E3504M Brabus
Ducati Guy
are you sure they don't leave any sort of glue or sticky residue behind? Does it all come off with the strip? Thanks.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
When I took all the badges off, the sticky stuff would come off with the emblem or I could simply pull it off. When warm, it is just strong enough to stay together and yet roll right off the paint. Then I come back with a detail and polish.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,078
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From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
The right way to do this is to use a hair dryer unless you know what you're doing with a heat gun, because you can burn the paint.
Then use fishing line across the entire trim piece before you pull on it, this way you don't damage anything. Keep the fishing line as close to the paint as you can to prevent glue from being left behind.
If you end up with glue left behind it can be VERY hard to get off, but if you run out to the store and buy some Goo Gone it comes off like magic and the Goo Gone is safe for the paint - just hit the freshly exposed paint with some wax or sealer.
Then use fishing line across the entire trim piece before you pull on it, this way you don't damage anything. Keep the fishing line as close to the paint as you can to prevent glue from being left behind.
If you end up with glue left behind it can be VERY hard to get off, but if you run out to the store and buy some Goo Gone it comes off like magic and the Goo Gone is safe for the paint - just hit the freshly exposed paint with some wax or sealer.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
Goo gone works great. So does Sticker Shock. I have used both for removing emblems and pinstripes with great results.
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From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
"Shoot first; ask questions last."and
How helpful is that? Gotta love this forum.
I live 400 miles away, so no good for me.
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C350 - Saks Special Edition
I just removed my strips using the hair dryer/fishing line method. The temp outside was 65F. The strips did break off in pieces. The glue came right off with no problems or residual residue. I didn't even have to use gu-gone.
The car looks so much better now (especially since mine is Obs Black and the chrome really stood out).
For those contemplating this, quit worrying about it and just do it!
The car looks so much better now (especially since mine is Obs Black and the chrome really stood out).
For those contemplating this, quit worrying about it and just do it!
Last edited by AZBenz123; May 24, 2008 at 09:14 PM.
