Shadowline Trim

How do I get the shadowline trim off my 1998 540i6 so I can clean and wax the paint underneath it?
Thanks
JB

Originally Posted by DSPTurtle

How do I get the shadowline trim off my 1998 540i6 so I can clean and wax the paint underneath it?
Thanks
JB

You want to gently lever out the molding from the trailing edge of the door. Sometimes they're stuck on pretty hard so you may have to mask the top of the door with tape and use a plastic putty knife to lift up the molding enough to start pulling on it with your hands. Pull up very slowly, moving toward the front of the door. If you go too fast or pull to hard, you can bend the molding. It's best to have the windows all the way down so you can hold on better.

The rears are usually easier than the fronts since there's a little overhang at the back, so you may not need a putty knife. Reinstall by aligning the front of molding then pressing it down as you go toward the rear of the door. Protect the pieces with a cloth and use a rubber mallet to make sure it's inserted all the way if you need to. Make sure to clean off the flocked portion of the weatherstripping

I guess I asked the wrong question
I meant to ask about the trim halfway down on the door panel on the outside. The black strip that goes round the car. I assume it is clipped in???

Originally Posted by DSPTurtle

I guess I asked the wrong question
I meant to ask about the trim halfway down on the door panel on the outside. The black strip that goes round the car. I assume it is clipped in???

Oh, that's much easier! I was wondering why you'd want to remove the other for waxing.

These rub strips just pull right out. The ones on the doors and front fenders have plastic plugs with rubber grommets that make a good seal when inserted into the holes in the door. Try to pull these pieces out as evenly as possible so they stay smooth and don't turn wavy.

For the bumpers just pry out the rub strips from the center where the two outer pieces meet the middle one. Make sure to push them on hard when reinstalling. Sometimes a few of the tabs don't go back into the slots in the bumper the first time.

Originally Posted by DSPTurtle

I guess I asked the wrong question
I meant to ask about the trim halfway down on the door panel on the outside. The black strip that goes round the car. I assume it is clipped in???

You dork!

Yeah, as Tyrone said, those are cake to remove BUT you will most likely break some of the ears of the mounting tabs. It isn't a big deal if you break one of them but if you plan to make a habit of this, order yourself up some new tabs and the green plastic "buttons." I am working to dig up part numbers...stay tuned.

Chris

Originally Posted by Ågent99

I am working to dig up part numbers...stay tuned.

Chris

Dig thru your e-mail and you'll find the P/N's. Actually, I didn't have any problems breaking anything during removal, but maybe it's because my car is old and I didn't really care.

Originally Posted by Ågent99

You dork!

Yeah, as Tyrone said, those are cake to remove BUT you will most likely break some of the ears of the mounting tabs. It isn't a big deal if you break one of them but if you plan to make a habit of this, order yourself up some new tabs and the green plastic "buttons." I am working to dig up part numbers...stay tuned.

Chris

Pick up a few of the following part numbers:

White clips: 51 13 8 183 102 (a couple of these)

Grommet: 51 13 1 960 127 (pick up like ~10 of these)

These are cheap and won't break the bank even if you have to get them from the dealer and I fully agree that it makes waxing a much smoother process. Now if there was a way to easily remove the badge (and replace it), we'd be all set. I'd also suggest pulling the side lights and even the rear light housings (clean under there...yuck!).

Thanks to Viet for finding these parts!

Chris

I will give it a go this weekend... however after todays episode I want to sell the friggin thing!!!

WHY on earth would you want to do this?