datmrman

I am sure that this thread will not be too popular, but since I've recently performed this task and took pictures, I might as well make an informative post out of it.

For those that don't know what I'm talking about, body side moldings (BSMs) are the strips placed on the sides of cars to prevent dents and dings. They are seen here:



Why would you want to remove them then? I've recently installed the A-Spec body kit and Type-S spoiler and the BSMs made the car a little too busy, but that is just my personal view. Theres already many threads on the look of BSMs, so I will not get into the details here.

The process is very similar to debadging the emblems off the trunk, so this thread might be useful too. Here we go:

Parts:

• Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover Spray OR Goo Gone
• Fishing Line OR Dental Floss
• Blowdryer
• Detailing Clay
• Polish/Wax

Steps:

1. Using the blowdryer, heat an edge of the BSM for 1-2 minutes
2. Run a strand of fishing line behind the BSM from the outer edge and pull inwards along the direction of the BSM. The fishing line will "cut into" the double sided tape that is holding the BSM.
3. When enough of the BSM is detached for you to have a hold of, gradually apply force to slowly pull the BSM away. The BSM is made of some type of rubber-like material, so it is very flexible, but just to be safe, I moved my hands along the BSM while I was removing it to prevent additional strain on the BSM or side of the car. So.. pull outwards to remove the BSM a bit, move hands inwards, pull some more, repeat.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Once the piece of BSM is detached, you'll be left with dirt and adhesive remnants. Spray the bug and tar remover, let it sit for a little bit and simply wipe off.
   
   
   
   
   
5. For the stubborn stuff, detailing clay took it right off. I used Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit which comes with everything you need for claying.
   
   
   
   
6. Repeat for the remaining pieces. Total process took me 15 minutes.
7. You should clay the rest of the car and then apply wax/polish.

Final Results:





I will be answering any questions about the process here.

For more pics and to comment about my car, please visit my car thread: '06 WDP TL with A-Spec Body Kit and Type-S Spoiler - BSMs Removed Pg 2

Enjoy!

05TLBlack

I like it, gives it a very clean look. Nice job

LeathaFace

does look a lil cleaner. I likes!

melvin

good info, i like it as well.

brettallica

...and you KNOW I like this look without the BSM!

Your car is sick!

WDP for life!

LKLD

Good write up

But......you know what is going to happen now that you took them off...don't you?

Insert Murphy's Law here

varanelli

Nice write-up. I did the same thing about a year ago. I haven't had any more door dings without them then when I had them on.

datmrman

Thanks everyone.

This is what I am hoping too.

eh? spec

My 2006 TL a-spec never came with side moldings. I am in Canada would that change anything?
weird... I've never noticed this.

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

dealer acessory here in US

datmrman

Mine was negotiated into the price when I bought the car stock.

You will be able to find them online at several sites such as Hondacuraworld and eBay.

darksom1

Yeah, mine were negotiated in as well. So what are you going to do with them now? You really have me thinking of doing this quick mod (and you just saved me $15 on debadging! Thanks datmrman! ).

That Murphy's law comment does have me worried though. I always park far from people and take advantage of the tilt mirror to hug the curb close, but I bet people will smell when I have that damn thing off!!!

lil12002

When i read this thread earlier i was like hmm i dunno... the moldings didnt look familar, went outside and nop, no moldings on mine

datmrman

They are currently sitting in a huge OEM parts box in the garage. I'm not sure if they would sell in the Black Market, so I guess I might hold on to them.

Not sure how I saved you $15, but cool!

I've thought about the Murphy's law bit for a while before removing mine. The BSMs sit too low to protect me against the cars I'm forced to park next to at work. Also, I seem to have a trust with the people I usually park next to at work. We usually stay within our lanes and give each other plenty of space so I feel somewhat safe.

In the end, you do what you can, but things happen sometimes. Enjoy it while you can.

bcbtony

iTrader: (1)

im also in canada and i didn't get side molding either

Jesstzn

Here too

goswald80

Mine didn't either and I'm glad, your car looks better than ever MrMan!

datmrman

Thanks man. I agree to that. Its smoother than ever now too thanks to the detailing clay. I can't keep my hands off it..

Adobeman

It looks nicer w/o them for sure. Looking good.
If your not already doing it you are going to have to start parking really far out there and all by yourself in parking lots. It looks really nice but ...it looks really naked from protection as well.

darksom1

Because I was going to pay someone that much to debadge me. Now, since I see it's so simple, I can do it myself!

That's why I referred that other guy who wanted to debadge his car to this thread.

Eoanou

Nice job, I think it improves the look on the TL!

s2ka

I'm interested in buying your bsm's ... semi local in OC.

datmrman

After you've seen how its done, its cake. I'm glad it helped you out.


s2ka, after you have reached 5 posts, shoot me a PM and we can talk more.

s2ka

Will do, I was wondering why the PM didn't work.

s2ka

I still can't pm with more than 5 posts, any suggestions?

datmrman

Hmmm.. I wonder if the admins changed the limit again.

Make sure you have "Enable Private Messaging" checked in your profile's options.

I'll look into it for you.

s2ka

I don't see any settings for the forum PM anywhere in my options.

s2ka

Maybe I need 5 posts in this part of the forum?

s2ka

Still nuthin...

dr mikeylu

any more pics of different colors with the BSM removed?

tripflex

Nice! That looks a lot better IMO!

TL_BLUE

Is it just me or are Acura owners the best freaking people on earth? Big kudos to you for posting this.

I'm just too chicken to try doing it on my own, so I will have the dealer remove it while I watch - if he does one side succssfully, I will do the other side on my own. i'm a scaredy cat

Ron A

Don't be chicken. You can't hurt anything. If you can't pull the molding off the car to start it, use a credit card and slide it under until you can get a grasp, then slowly pull the molding.

I had mine removed because when they installed them they didn't leave room for the door edge guards, so they had to take all the moldings off and put new ones on. I have the old moldings in case something happens to mine, and except for not having the tape on them they look like new.

TL_BLUE

Thanks Ron - I will try it this coming week. Although recently, the moldings have started to grow on me. lol

Ron - how come no separate MDX forum? The new MDX' are kick a$$!!

ABP_04TL

iTrader: (2)

took mines off... the best shyt i did!!

Rising2TheTop

Great Writeup....I have a WDP and was wondering if it would be easy to do....thanks again for the help

Sondinh

iTrader: (3)

What type of Fishing Line do I need? And when using the blowdryer what settings do I set it to?(High, Medium or Low). What type of Detailing Clay and
Polish/Wax do I need to buy? Thank you!

amer

I removed mines today using a heat gun and platic tool for like door panels removal. just heat it up on the edge of the doors and separate it with something that wont scratch ur paint and start pulling it with you hand and comes off easy. then i spray it with quick deatailer on the dirt that got araound the moulding and wiped off no marks showen that they were on the car at all and its a black car

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I'm considering doing this and have a question about this.

I have an 04 TL and the original owner had the body side moldings. I bought the car back in 2006 and haven't liked them since the day I bought them. When I negotiated with the Toyota dealer where I bought the car, they told me that they would remove them for me as part of the deal. After purchasing, they told me that they were unable to remove them because there are mounting holes behind the moldings. For 4 years now I have believed their BS, but now I read this thread and find out that there's no holes and the damn dealer was just too lazy to do it for me. (I suppose I could give them the benefit of the doubt that they weren't sure if there were holes or not and didn't want to take any chances, but I still blame that on laziness because they obviously didn't check into it at all.)

Sooooooooooooo...

The question I have now is: Since these things have been sitting on my anthrocite TL for 6 years, if I pull them off, do I risk there being visible marks from where they used to be?

tegged

I was wondering the same thing. Im worried that there might be a slight difference in color because of fading?