Hi Guys
I would like to remove the black plastic trim around the windscreen on my Atlanta Blue 1997 2.8 BMW Z3 as I plan to replace the rather tired black hood with a dark blue hood (even though the seats etc are black) and I believe the Atlanta Blue paint under the black plastic trim will work better with the new hood colour.
I read a post somewhere on this forum a short while ago that mentioned doing it with a heat gun or hair dryer and a solvent to clean up the adhesive once the plastic is removed - unfortunately, in spite of several searches today using various keywords, I have failed to find any trace of the post. As I recall it didn't go into much detail anyway.
I have tried to remove the trim a couple of times without success and each time have abandoned my attempt for fear of damaging the rubber seals adjacent to the plastic.
I think I need more specific guidance and would be really grateful if someone who has actually done this can advise me in a little more detail before I try again.
For example:
Where is the best place to start?
Should I start from the bottom of one of the pillars or from a side of the trim?
From the windscreen side or from the door side?
How much heat is required to soften the plastic trim and the adhesive underneath before I try to prise it away from the frame?
How big is the risk of permanently deforming the rubber seals?
How can I do it without risking damage to the paintwork underneath?
What solvent is best to remove remaining adhesive?
If someone can help me out here, it would be very much appreciated.
Have attached a pic of my car at Calais earlier this year and another in Atlanta Blue with a dark blue hood. Can I hear purists telling me to replace with black with black - maybe I should - but anyway I would still prefer to have blue paint surrounding the windscreen (like the post 98 models) rather than the black plastic!!
I would like to remove the black plastic trim around the windscreen on my Atlanta Blue 1997 2.8 BMW Z3 as I plan to replace the rather tired black hood with a dark blue hood (even though the seats etc are black) and I believe the Atlanta Blue paint under the black plastic trim will work better with the new hood colour.
I read a post somewhere on this forum a short while ago that mentioned doing it with a heat gun or hair dryer and a solvent to clean up the adhesive once the plastic is removed - unfortunately, in spite of several searches today using various keywords, I have failed to find any trace of the post. As I recall it didn't go into much detail anyway.
I have tried to remove the trim a couple of times without success and each time have abandoned my attempt for fear of damaging the rubber seals adjacent to the plastic.
I think I need more specific guidance and would be really grateful if someone who has actually done this can advise me in a little more detail before I try again.
For example:
Where is the best place to start?
Should I start from the bottom of one of the pillars or from a side of the trim?
From the windscreen side or from the door side?
How much heat is required to soften the plastic trim and the adhesive underneath before I try to prise it away from the frame?
How big is the risk of permanently deforming the rubber seals?
How can I do it without risking damage to the paintwork underneath?
What solvent is best to remove remaining adhesive?
If someone can help me out here, it would be very much appreciated.
Have attached a pic of my car at Calais earlier this year and another in Atlanta Blue with a dark blue hood. Can I hear purists telling me to replace with black with black - maybe I should - but anyway I would still prefer to have blue paint surrounding the windscreen (like the post 98 models) rather than the black plastic!!
