Rear Bumper Trim question

[ClausE30]

Switching to Euro trim but my question is, the rear center trim piece needs to be removed and repainted (its painted white currently)
what are the odds that I get it out in one peice and able to attach it again? never taken it off before.

I talked to BluntTech asking about the clips and such and this is what they said

"Its a "remove once and throw away" type deal. You may get lucky and be able to only damage a few and get it to stay but they get brittle with age and tend to be junk after you remove."

Just wanted your guy's 2 cents on what to do

[bmwstephen]

what blunt said. Although you can technically remove the bumper from the reinforcement bar and push the tabs out from the other way, more than likely however, you'll mangle them in the process. Other's have done this but were also successful at re-installing the trim as long as a few of the tabs are okay.

are you trying to repaint the white trim white again? If so, I would just leave it on the car and it painted white. provided the paint job doesn't involve baking and is prepped correctly, the paint should settle in and cure around the edges just fine without chipping. Trust me, I have had my trim separately painted before slapping them on and people still mistaken the final results as me having the trim painted while on the car.

[ClausE30]

I figured I probably would have to end up getting new trim.. And as for the paint I dislike the current white look, i want it to be oem

[bmwstephen]

might as well order new set from blunt. the texture of the bumper trims arent like that of the side mouldings, once you sand them, you pretty much ruin them

[brutus87]

Listen to me:
Buy the rear section.
My dad and i removed my old one without breaking any clips, but let me tell you, how i regret that they arent exactly the same color as the new shiny ones.
Shell out the extra dollars, youll thank me later :)

[ClausE30]

Listen to me:
Buy the rear section.
My dad and i removed my old one without breaking any clips, but let me tell you, how i regret that they arent exactly the same color as the new shiny ones.
Shell out the extra dollars, youll thank me later :)

Yea was thinking about that one too. thanks! As for the side moulding think i can get away with painting that?

[brutus87]

The ones that are on the door etc?
No, believe me they are a royal PIA, go get some off a late model car, order new clips from Blunttech first, I did it all this summer, just trying to save you headaches lol

[bmwstephen]

Yea was thinking about that one too. thanks! As for the side moulding think i can get away with painting that?

yes, regardless if you buy new or not, the texture will be different than plastic. you can simply sand them with a smooth grit (400) and rub some acetone on them. They'll dissolve into new layer of rubber.

[ClausE30]

Thanks will definately go that route for the moulding

[Gregolas]

Listen to me:
Buy the rear section.
My dad and i removed my old one without breaking any clips, but let me tell you, how i regret that they arent exactly the same color as the new shiny ones.
Shell out the extra dollars, youll thank me later :)

This. I have removed the trim without breaking any clips but you have to remove the core bumper from the plastic cover and have at it with a flat head (or leave it on and work blind through very small holes by pushing the clips out with said flat head). Took me about 2 hours and that is if nothing is rusted and you can get to everything. Buy a new one and break the old one, worth the extra money and the fact the trim will all match!

[e30austin]

+1 to above statements. Glad to see you're taking my suggestion!

[ClausE30]

Glad to see you're taking my suggestion!

It was a great suggestion! Will post pictures after done

[Brilliantrot 318is]

i too have removed my trim without damaging the clips, painted it then installed it back on the bumper with the euro trim.. just be carefully. that's my advice
- i also like what gergpez said

[TwoJ's]

I reused my center section when I painted my car and bought euro side trim. Like everyone has already stated, if you want to have a shot at reusing it, you will need to take the bumper off and push the clips out from the back. Also, keep in mind that since yours is white and you'll be repainting it, it may not match the new trim very well.

Ideally you should just go ahead and buy a new center section. It's not much more to spend and it will attach properly and match well. But, if you are dead set on reusing it, what I would do if I were you and you are able to get it off undamaged is to get SEM or other high quality "trim" color paint and hit all three pieces before installing. The color will match well. But the problem is that at the very least you should scuff the new trim with some medium (400ish) grit sandpaper (or even better, get some primer that is meant for plastic) before painting. By the time you pay for a good can of paint, primer and paper, you are easily half way to the cost of a new center section. Then you have to factor in the time spent on prepping/priming/painting your brand new trim.

It's up to you, but I'd just get a new piece man.

[brutus87]

^
This.