I searched, but could not find what I was looking for. Maybe searching with the wrong key words. But...

Does anyone know how to remove the trim pieces at the bottom of each door window? The ones that are turning purple, that were originally black?

If I open the drivers door, I used a flash light and I can see clips. But I do not just want to start prying.

Please help.

Thanks,

-rob lee

 

Just start at the forward edge and pry straight up. Be careful not to slip and scratch the paint.

 

Thanks, I will give is try.

 

It worked! I covered a small, Stanley brand, mini pry bar with masking tape. I started on the end closest to the door opening and I slowly woked forward. A note, on the driver's and passenger's door, the first clip is mounted to the door, all of the rest are on the actual trim piece.

 

Did you replace them, cover them or paint them?

 

I have been experimenting with both paint and vinyl tape.

Initially, I wanted to maintain the transparent qualities of the the stock anodized aluminum finish. So, over the winter, I painted the vertical trim pieces on the rear doors. The are the pieces that seperate the rear stationary (trangle) window from the larger power window. I used the same paint I used on my front fender parking lights. The "smoked window tint" Testors brand model spray paint. This allows the original lower, polished surface to show thru the darker tint color. Unfortunately, if the anodized pieces have turned a strong purple color, this hue also shows thru the "tint" paint. If you put more coats on, it just looks like black paint.

Over the last weekend, with the passenger front door trim piece removed, I covered it with Trimbrite brand "blackout" tape. Basically, flat black, automotive grade vinyl. This is an old school technique I used on mid-seventies GM F-bodies (Cameros and Firebirds), to cover up chrome pieces. This tape is of good quality and does not shrink or discolor, from my past experience. It can be stretched around slight radius' and will not peel if the surface is clean.

The results are good. I think I will do the other three door trims too. My car is black, so the contrast of the flat black is good, on a lighter car, a shiny surface may be better.

Why not paint? From my past experience, painting aluminum trim eventually yields chipped paint. I am sure that a "metal etching" primer can be used, but I think all of the anodized material has to be removed. I didn't want to start sanding, only to have a big mess in the end. Maybe someone else has had better luck with paint on aluminum trim.

Thanks for asking.

rob lee