DJ Syxx Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 (edited) The chrome trim on my car was bugging the hell out of me even more now that I got it to where I want it. There isn't a decent DIY on how to remove the trim except on the Fanatics forum which is ok but hopefully with this DIY it will be easier to understand what to do. Same procedure applies for both sides. First thing you want to do is obviously source a replacement shadowline trim from a breakers. There is two versions matt black and gloss, I've opted for the matt black. You can get these from Quarry Motors when they have them in stock. They won't be perfect or brand new but beats having faded worn out chrome trim. Tools you will need: Screwdrivers couple of Phillips and flat head one. Be better if the Phillips one is magnetised. Strong double sided tape, like the ones you would use on a numberplate. Halfords do one which is 12mm wide by 4mm thick. Its called a Harris Numberplate Tape and is roughly a fiver. Or you can use any other suitable double sided tape long as its quite thin but strong. Knife. Scissors. Hairdryer. Bucket of soapy water with a sponge or wash mitt. Used chamois. Either a track suit top or bottom or towel. Lots of patience. A warm day with no rain. First you will need to pull on the interior rubber trim along the doors. These are the rubbers trim that go all the way round. Start from the middle and pull it down and eventually you will expose the screws that hold the window surround. P1000992 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr P1000994 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr P1000995 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Next you will need to pop the rear window out. To do this open the window wide, there is a black plastic surround. P1000996 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr With a screwdriver simply push it away from the window. Might take a few tries but you will get there. P1000997 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Once you have done that detach the window from the long plastic that is attached to the rear seat. P1000998 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Take your tracksuit top or bottom fold it a few times and place it in between the door frame and rear window to keep it propped open. It will make life easier in removing the screws. Edited July 4, 2017 by DJ Syxx Daevo_78 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted August 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 (edited) Now you will need to pull on the rear rubber trim, again just pull it down right the way round where the back window curves. P1010002 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr P1010003 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr P1010004 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr P1010005 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr P1010007 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Once done you will now need to remove the screws. In total there are 16 screws that hold the frame, 4 smaller screws are used for the rear, and the rest are longer screws. Start at the front and remove the screws one by one and work your way to the back. It might be a good idea just to keep one screw at the front just in case the trim decides to slip out. Take the tracksuit away from the rear window and let it sit on the long plastic from the rear seat. Remove the one screw I said to keep near the front and simply pull the trim away from the car. Do this carefully so not to scratch your paintwork. You want to try and grab either end with your hands to ensure you got a good grip on it. If you can get a second person even better. Now you should be left with this. P1010008 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr P1010009 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr P1010010 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Edited July 4, 2017 by DJ Syxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted August 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 (edited) Now the difficult bit, removing the rear trim. This is quite literally stuck on with double sided adhesive/tape. Prop the window wide with the tracksuit. Using a screwdriver remove the rivet holding the rubber for the rear as pictured below. Unfortunately it broke away as it was brittle.P1010012 by DJ Syxx, on FlickrP1010013 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Next get your hairdryer and from the rear apply heat. Once you have done this get the flat screwdriver or a flat blade to lift the trim up from the body of the car. Now with any luck the adhesive should lift up with the trim. Now you want to slowly lift up trim with your fingers and apply the hairdryer for heat to help lift it. This will take a little time so don't rush it.P1010015 by DJ Syxx, on FlickrP1010017 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr When you get right near the end you won't be able to lift the trim much as the window will start to get in the way so by this time you should be able to just pull the trim away from the car at this point.P1010019 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Now as I said with any luck all the adhesive will be stuck on the trim and not on the car. If you do have a little residue just use an adhesive remover or equivalent to take it off. Now clean the area where the trim used to sit to get all the dirt off as trust me there will be quite a bit of muck there. Rinse off and just use the chamois to dry it. You can use the hairdryer to get rid of the excess water.P1010020 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Once the surface is completely dry with no dirt your now ready to fit your replacement black trim. Edited July 4, 2017 by DJ Syxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted August 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 (edited) With the double sided tape you want to run it along the back of it where the grooves are. You will see how to apply it from your old trim. Stick it on and trim any excess. Should be looking like this. P1010025 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Next you need to line it up so that its spot on first time. Two ways either take the trim and line it up exactly where you think it should be and use a little masking tape as a marker. Other way in my case I could see a faint line as to where the old trim was as it had been on since the car was new so whatever works for you. Once your happy remove the tape backing, use the hairdryer to get some heat on it, now to fit it. Once you get it on press on it from left to right and run the hairdryer along while you are pressing it so that it sticks properly. P1010026 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr P1010027 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr With the trim now held in place its time to fit your replacement window surround. This quite straightforward as its just a case of lining the holes up and pushing it in. Get one screw in to temporarily hold the trim. P1010028 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr You will want to work from the back so push the trim right in and screw in the two little screws at the back. P1010029 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Now start working your way round and refit the screws. Remember the 4 little screws are used at the back, the other 12 are used for the other holes. Once the frame is properly in place just simply push the rubber window trim back in place and refit the rear window. Edited July 4, 2017 by DJ Syxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted August 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 (edited) Now the final part which is the front door trim. This is by far the easiest bit of the DIY so left it till last. On the door you will see a rubber piece and the rubber is attached to two recess holes. You just need to pull it out. You will hear it go click like its broke but don't worry it won't! P1010031 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr P1010033 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Take a screwdriver and wedge it in between where shown below. P1010035 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Start to gently lift and the trim should eventually come away from the door. Take your time with it, no rush. P1010036 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Once you have it up enough you can use your hands to simply lift the trim up slowly. When you have roughly three quarters of it off you should now be able to slide the trim away from underneath the door mirror. P1010040 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Now you will be left with this. P1010042 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Take your replacement black trim, start to slide it underneath the mirror. Once its gone all the way, you can then start to push down on the trim to refit it to the door. P1010044 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr P1010045 by DJ Syxx, on Flickr Do a final push down from left to right to ensure its fully fitted and flush, put the rubber trim on the door back together. And if you have done everything right the trim should line up properly as shown below. And now the finished product matt black window trim, no more chrome and job done! Edited July 4, 2017 by DJ Syxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 Great right up Syxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 I will follow up on this post on removal of the front trim on the doors to complete the DIY....... top work dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted August 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 Thanks Trickster, front door ones are straightforward so left that till last. Gonna fit the front ones soon as I finish from work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TokaM Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 Good work fella, was only today I had read a post (i think from yourself) about the person wanting to remove the chrome trim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 Thanks Trickster, front door ones are straightforward so left that till last. Gonna fit the front ones soon as I finish from work. Nw dude we await the pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 Great write up mate! Car will look even better than it already does with the shadowline trim! Might be worth PM'ing a mod to get the few posts between your DIY moved/deleted to keep it tidy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 Can't wait to see this man!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted August 12, 2010 Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 Great write up mate! Car will look even better than it already does with the shadowline trim! Might be worth PM'ing a mod to get the few posts between your DIY moved/deleted to keep it tidy. Good thinkin dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted August 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2010 thanks guys I've messaged Simon so should be tidied up as soon as. I've also written up the final bit of the DIY for the front doors with pictures so this now completes the DIY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted August 13, 2010 Report Share Posted August 13, 2010 Looks good mate! Top write up too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetBlackE46 Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 great write up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 Top write up mate, I am sure that will help out loads of people Not to mention how good your car looks now I hope to see it at the Pod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salim Posted August 21, 2010 Report Share Posted August 21, 2010 How much did you pay for the trim if you don't mind me asking? I already have the gloss shadowline but they're warped for some reason. I inquired and they're £195 from BMW. Thats not including the curvy bit at the top, just the four pieces of plastic that go on the two doors and rear quarters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted August 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2010 How much did you pay for the trim if you don't mind me asking? I already have the gloss shadowline but they're warped for some reason. I inquired and they're £195 from BMW. Thats not including the curvy bit at the top, just the four pieces of plastic that go on the two doors and rear quarters! Hi Salim, the whole replacement kit from Quarry Motors I paid £95 with delivery at the time. £195 for the lower trim is a lot of money tbh. Have you tried BM Mini Bits? I am confident you can pick up the lower trim for at least half the price if not less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salim Posted August 21, 2010 Report Share Posted August 21, 2010 Hi Salim, the whole replacement kit from Quarry Motors I paid £95 with delivery at the time. £195 for the lower trim is a lot of money tbh. Have you tried BM Mini Bits? I am confident you can pick up the lower trim for at least half the price if not less. £95?? Thats a bargain!! Definitley going to give Quarry and the other company you mentioned a call on Monday. I was reluctant to get used trim as I removed my trim and tried to stick it on with 'no more nails' double sided tape and it popped up after a few days but it looks like yours came out nice. Your cars looking great now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted August 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2010 £95?? Thats a bargain!! Definitley going to give Quarry and the other company you mentioned a call on Monday. I was reluctant to get used trim as I removed my trim and tried to stick it on with 'no more nails' double sided tape and it popped up after a few days but it looks like yours came out nice. Your cars looking great now! Yeah its a fair price and for second hand was in reasonable condition too so can't gripe. Back trim did you remove the top frame? Be easier to fit the back trim on with it removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blclar Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Excellent writeup, am going to attampt this at the weekend if the weather is good... Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick323 Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 great guide this. i will be using this when i come to do mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 No probs guys, patience is the key! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick323 Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 the black trim sets are all over £150 for used stuff, cant find them cheaper anywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...