DIY - Shadowlining

[johnm01]

Nevermind. Figured it out. Start the trim at the top front. Use a right angle pick to tuck the trim at the top front most point in the slot. From there it is just patiently working your way down from there. If you get stuck then gently use the right angle pick again. Used soapy water to lubricate during the process.

My opinion-- paint the trim on the car. It is not worth taking everything off. I did and I regret it. Very touchy. Not for the faint of heart.

[johnm01]

Does anyone have a tip for re-installing the rear coupe window trim back into the rubber gasket it belongs in. I understand what needs to be done-- the hook on the backside of the trim goes into the grooves in the rubber gasket. But knowing and doing are two different things right now. It is a complete PITA for me thus far.

[TrentW]

Trent your car looks amazing man. So clean.

Thank you, very much appreciated. I've since sprayed my amber rear indicators red, added Stromung catback, and sprayed the lower black section of the apron red.

I'm very happy with the look.

[bmoores]

Trent your car looks amazing man. So clean.

[TrentW]

I had my trim powder coated also and I have to say it looks so factory you'd think someone went all budget-be-damned and bought brand new shadowline trim. This does of course mean removing the trim, but it's NOT THAT DIFFICULT. Just make sure you use the small nylon prybars (you can pickup a set at HF for $8 I think), be patient and take your time, and start from the underside of the trim and pull out and up--I repeat, pull out, and up--over the rain gutter a small area at a time. You'll see once you pop your cherry on the first one.



Oh, and DO NOT take a screwdriver anywhere near this trim.



If you decide to paint in situ instead and disregard everyone who says to powder coat, well it's still gonna be a bitch to mask off the trim, sand, primer and topcoat. Save up 100 clams and powder coat it. You will thank me later.

[Big swifty]

Classic BL quote. Never gets old.

[TrentW]

It's rather amazing the way just changing that small amount of shiny, bright trim changes the look of the car.


Really ties the room together.

[Big swifty]

Mine. Self-etching primer. SEM trim black 39143.

BEFORE


DURING





AFTER



Diggin the juxtaposition of red and black.

[shaferbm]

I pulled all my trim off last night and started sanding. If you want to paint the trim off the vehicle I have a few tips:

• I removed trim using this guide: http://www.r3vlimited.com/tech/windo...windowtrim.htm
  
• When removing piece E, be very patient. I found the best way was to work your way down the piece of trim starting at the front where the mirror was, slowly prying the trim straight upward no more that an 1/8 or 1/4 inch at a time. It will go, just be patient, make a few passes. I bent my passenger side and spent 20 minutes bending it back. The guide I linked said this was the most intuitive section to remove, but I thought it was the most difficult.
  
• Piece D Has clips inside the window frame(under the seal/track), and is relatively simple to remove. It should be known that there are no clips holding it in near where the mirrors are, it's simply glued to the door frame. I got the trim free of the clips, then carefully slid the whole trim piece up and towards the rear (along the window frame) and it slowly was freed of the glue.
  
• Piece F is held in by the same style clips as D, so just use your screwdriver to push the tabs and work it out.
  
• Freaking patience!

Hope this helps a few. If you ask me, this is the 'right' way to do it but once I was about halfway through, I thought "Wish I'd painted these on the car!"

[Cletonius]

Guys that used SEM, did you use regular trim black or Euro trim black? I did some stuff with the Euro black and it matches awesome.

[shaferbm]

I can't wait to do this, my chrome is really faded and cloudy. I've been debating it for a while. I figured maybe I should keep the chrome since I have an early model, but I can't hold back any more. I'm convinced it has a better overall look, even with the chrome bumpers.

[TrentW]

Looks good. :up:

[bmoores]

Just wanted to post my results with the SEM Trim Paint:

[bmoores]

How did it come out?

[Jand3rson]

I'm going to be doing mine again, probably this weekend. I originally used PlastiDip, and it worked great, but you rub it off in one area, and it's FINISHED.

This time, I'm going to use the same DupliColor spray-on bedliner I used in my engine bay, and on my side moldings. It's held up amazingly well on both. I'll get pics.