Body Molding Removal

[Celestine]

Hi All,

I've got a '07 Polo 9N3 Match, which I'm thinking of colour coding the body moldings to candy white - to follow suit with its primary colour. I have been provided a number for paint who does an exceptional job, with a reasonable price tag. The only drawback is the waiting period (2 weeks minimum to have my car back).

So, with that in mind, I was wondering if the body moldings on the bumper, the sides and the rear bumper physically detach without much effort from the rest of the car?

Furthermore, has anyone out there colour coded their 9N3 Match? If so, was it for the better or for the worse.

Thanks in advance if anyone could help out in regards to removing the body molding without inflicting damage onto my beloved car.

[Kai]

A good shop can have them off. Preped. Painted. Baked. and back on your car within a day.

[VWindahouse]

A good shop can have them off. Preped. Painted. Baked. and back on your car within a day.


True that! Shop around mate and try to find a workshop that's not so busy as most workshops are contracted to one or multiple insurance companys. So the insurance work is a priority as this is the workshops main source of income. Try a custom body shop that the tuning community recommend. And don't forget to post some pics as well!

[PoloGTi]

The answer is yes they do come off.
Side mouldings clip in i think.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/theblackgeneration/N66-0180.png

Front and rear are a bit more involed u need to remove the front and rear bars first.
If you have ever used bumber treatment ect on them i dont not recomend painting them as the plastic will not bond with the paint well.
Your better off buying new parts.

[572]

Ah there you go Justin! Might have to get new parts though as you've treated yours once or twice.

What it'll look like :D
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/366/b4of5.jpg

PoloGTI: Where do you get all these illustrations from? Is it possible to get a copy (don't mind paying as I'm sure Justin will want it too)?

[WEDEL.1]

If you have ever used bumber treatment ect on them i dont not recomend painting them as the plastic will not bond with the paint well.
Your better off buying new parts.

I wouldn't worry too much about that. The panel shops have ways of cleaning/painting them so there's no problem. However, if you intend having them painted, immediately stop apply a treatment to them.

I stopped appling this to the front & rear bumpers of the Green T4 about 6 weeks before having them painted, no problems.

What sort of finish are you looking for on the strips, textured or smooth. It may be better if you can get new ones that are already smooth as per the GTI, although you won't be able to match the doors a/c the 4 doors. Make sure you know what finish the paint shop will give you.

I certainly wouldn't wait 2 weeks for the job to be done.

Maris

[Celestine]

They've been treated twice throughout almost the entire year I've owned the car. I'm still scouring around for a reasonable price for the job.

Any recommendations for someone located basically in central Brisbane?

I could only think of DMD Image (whom arent the best at what they do by far), so other suggestions from past experiences would be much appreciated.

PoloGTI: where do you get all those illustrations from? Did you purchase the manual on a CD or DVD rom? If so, where can I obtain a copy from? Ta.