I have a silver 04 TL, with the body side molding.... they have been on the car for 4 years. If I remove them, clean it up with a clay bar and then wax, do you think it will still show??? If 4 years too long to consider attempting this removal?

thanks.

 

It might show slightly right when you take em off....but if you can get em off cleanly and wax the car (which will lessen the difference) and wait for a small amt of time to pass it will not show whatsoever. Its kinda the same thing when taking off old emblems on the debadge process. There may be a ghost of the spot....but it will quickly disappear once exposed to the elements and normal air over a very short time. That is unless....you paint is sunbeat to all hell and faded.

 

ok thanks! the paint on the car still looks really good.... so I guess I should be ok then?

 

So long as they come off clean without taking any paint with them (rare)....you will likely be ok. It would suprise me greatly if you said you got them off and two weeks later could see any sign of them, period. Again...so long as the paint isnt faded overly bad.

 

Also buffing would help smooth it out. When I de-badged, I lightly wet sanded the outline impression in the clear, buffed/polished/waxed and it looks like they were never there, after 3-4 yrs. You can always put them back on if your not happy with the appearance, but you should be able to finesse the surface and minimize any outlines.

I would use fishing line, then an eraser wheel, little solvent to remove the moldings and double sided tape

 

thanks, but I wouldnt feel comfortable wet sanding... I dont have experience with this! I would use (1) tar/grime remover, (2)clay bar, (#) wash the car and (4) wax... should that work?

 

im takin mines off b4 i get an exterior detail done 2 my car

 

hopefully there wont b any discoloration on my car since mines is also an 04...

im guessin compound,wax and sealent would do the job right?

 

Hey, did you end up doing this? I'm thinking about doing the same and wanted to see how yours turned out.

 

yea i'm in the same situation, i have the sidemolding and i plan on take them off? it looks like its on by double sided tape. so its possible that the paint can come off? if thats the case i dont want to do it. But imo it looks ugly and if i take them off i dont want the paint to mismatch