1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Side molding removal

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 07:08 AM
  #1  
High_Carb_Diet's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC
Side molding removal

How hard is it to remove the side molding on the doors? Sometimes they are riveted to the car. Thanks
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 09:17 AM
  #2  
79RX7GUY's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: vermont
they are not riveted to our cars, i have removed and replaced a set from both an FB and an SA. all you need is a heat gun to soften the adhesive and some patience.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 09:18 AM
  #3  
High_Carb_Diet's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC
Thanks
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 09:59 AM
  #4  
orion84gsl's Avatar
My 7 is my girlfriend.
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 1
From: London, Ontario, Canada
I'm considering doing this as well. Has anyone had any issues with the heat gun making the paint come off? I've also read of using fishing line, also concerned about the paint with that one. Ive thought about just dumping adhesive remover all over them to see if that works or at least makes it easier.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 10:09 AM
  #5  
IanS's Avatar
Ricer
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 1
From: Washington, Iowa
Personally I grabbed onto them and slowly yanked them off. I then rinsed all the dirt and other BS that was stuck to the car underneath them and then used an eraser wheel to remove the rest of the double sided tape.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 10:11 AM
  #6  
nff's Avatar
nff
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
From: canada
Originally Posted by orion84gsl
I'm considering doing this as well. Has anyone had any issues with the heat gun making the paint come off? I've also read of using fishing line, also concerned about the paint with that one. Ive thought about just dumping adhesive remover all over them to see if that works or at least makes it easier.
petrol seems to work well too. lol the light on my quarter panell by the filler door is the only thing holding my molding on.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 10:47 AM
  #7  
Banzai's Avatar
Happy Rotoring!
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 553
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by orion84gsl
I'm considering doing this as well. Has anyone had any issues with the heat gun making the paint come off?
Applying heat and patients is the most common method-providing the best chance at good results. Too much heat for too long in a single spot can cause its own problems.You need to heat the molding as you go, enough to soften them and the adhesive. Not enough to burn things.

Unfortunately there is no guaranteed foolproof method. Removing underlying paint or incurring other damage is sometimes determined by what someone else may or may not have done previously while working on the area. You could be somewhat at the mercy of the previous guys ability, attention to detail or amount of money they wanted to spend. You just have to dig in and see where it takes you.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 11:54 AM
  #8  
slowmomiata's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: wyoming
someone should post a picture of their car all cleaned up with it removed because i think it might look funky cause of the molding in the bumpers...?
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 12:56 PM
  #9  
j9fd3s's Avatar
Moderator
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,796
Likes: 3,210
From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Originally Posted by orion84gsl
I'm considering doing this as well. Has anyone had any issues with the heat gun making the paint come off? I've also read of using fishing line, also concerned about the paint with that one. Ive thought about just dumping adhesive remover all over them to see if that works or at least makes it easier.
if the paint is original, you can just yank the molding off and its fine, if the car's been painted, pulling the moldings will take the paint with it....
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 01:03 PM
  #10  
High_Carb_Diet's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC
Originally Posted by slowmomiata
someone should post a picture of their car all cleaned up with it removed because i think it might look funky cause of the molding in the bumpers...?
i think i am only going to take the section between the wheels. leaving the section from the bumper to the wheel.

Last edited by High_Carb_Diet; Jan 2, 2012 at 01:06 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 01:49 PM
  #11  
OneRotor's Avatar
RAWR
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 2
From: 90024
https://www.rx7club.com/members/onerotor-48053-albums-1985-gs-994/

Search under my username for posts. I have posted many shots of my FB sans side moulding. It's the only way to go IMO.

You can also see images on my photobucket account (it should be in my sig...wireless interwebs that i'm leaching at work is slow as hell...)
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 09:41 PM
  #12  
slowmomiata's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: wyoming
OneRotor- that does look really good, how did you get the light to stay on the front part of the front fender? just re-screwed it in?
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 03:48 AM
  #13  
R×7's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Qld, Australia
I agree with OneRotor. Leave them off, looks a lot better. Here's mine (ignore the wheels, this is an old photo).


Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 09:21 AM
  #14  
raerae's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: rockland ny
has anyone filled the line in?
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 09:42 PM
  #15  
Krathion's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Sonora Ca
ive seen it filled on a few shaved cars looks nice with a wide body kit almost porsche like I am removing the moulding from mine as well one piece just came off so the rest are going too
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Frisky Arab
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
13
Aug 18, 2015 05:30 PM
Professorpeanutrx7
New Member RX-7 Technical
0
Aug 18, 2015 03:09 PM
Leeroy_25
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
4
Aug 17, 2015 12:53 PM
tsmith94FD
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
4
Aug 16, 2015 05:41 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:24 AM.