Thanks I'm glad it's helpful! Btw I would use a mild abrasive pad to remove the anodized layer. A harsh sandpaper will scratch the metal and while it can be sanded down later using progressive grits, it adds more work. I'm going through this at the moment with the driver's side trim. I didn't check the grit of the sandpaper before using it and it turned out to be quite aggressive! Nothing that can't be fixed though, it just takes time.
First time I heard of using Easy Off to remove the anodized film on these trim pieces. I am going to try it on my 89 535i trim. Thanks for sharing this information. Great!
Yeah it's an unusual product for this application but it works. Wear some gloves though, the stuff is strong. So far my trim still looks good. If ever it fades again I can always polish it on the car.
Hi Tim, you can lever them off by inserting a flat blade screwdriver at one end and GENTLY, very gently levering the end up concentrating on not too much in relation to the length (to prevent bending the part). The screwdriver needs to be quite a small shanked and bladed one and to cover the end with electrical tape is wise. Once a gap is there a longer shanked driver can go in or you can try using your fingers to vertically pull it directly upwards along the window line. Alternatively you can, again GENTLY, work a screwdriver (flat blade..be careful!!) along it or, preferably, something like a very hard plastic trim removal tool. Thinking a bit more resourcefully, look around in your home/shed/garage for plastic things such as an old dustpan set and cut a tool from that. The C pillar trim is more difficult as on its back it has some "plugs" (3 or 4 from memory) and (again from memory) may have a connections inside the pillar where you need to remove the trim panel to get to...which needs to be done in amy case. Hope that helps and I haven't "hijacked" this channel, given my own interest and channel ') regards James, West. Aust.
As to the main A to C pillar along-the-roof trim, that has slideable stays that you can tap out from one end...perhaps after removing the windscreen surround. A squirt of lubricant works well as you will have grit causing friction aroumd them and along the part length. I say remove the windscreen trim as my memory tells me I did this due to the C pillar trim being a bit more of a finicky and tightly held on part. After the stays are all slid out the trim is self-evidently completely free of the roof assembly. Good luck...and gentleness is stressed in how you convey your physical power into the work. James
@@billythesawlee7097 Great I hope you'll succeed. Doing this also means that the trim will require a re-polish, maybe once a year, because the bare metal is exposed to the elements. But it's better than buying all new trim (are those even available for purchase anyway?)...
@@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec BTW, will the spray can version of the easy-off work? Where I live do not have any kind of easy-off product, so I got to buy it from abroad, and I don't want to buy the wrong one. Thx
Did you do it on the chrome strips on the inside as well? The ones on the inside are very bad in my car.. Does this method work for those strips as well?
That's a good question... I didn't have to improve the chrome on the inside because it's still good and shiny. That chrome looks shinier than the exterior chrome, my guess is that it's not anodized. I would try polishing it with regular aluminum polish compound and see if the rag becomes black. If it does, you can continue polishing to improve it.
@@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec Thanks for your response. Unfortunatly mine are very bad and the dealer cant deliver new ones front. Only in the back I could get them new.
I never write comments but i have to say that this was the best tutorial video i have ever seen. Thanks! I will do it on my own car.
Thanks I'm glad it's helpful! Btw I would use a mild abrasive pad to remove the anodized layer. A harsh sandpaper will scratch the metal and while it can be sanded down later using progressive grits, it adds more work. I'm going through this at the moment with the driver's side trim. I didn't check the grit of the sandpaper before using it and it turned out to be quite aggressive! Nothing that can't be fixed though, it just takes time.
First time I heard of using Easy Off to remove the anodized film on these trim pieces. I am going to try it on my 89 535i trim. Thanks for sharing this information. Great!
Yeah it's an unusual product for this application but it works. Wear some gloves though, the stuff is strong. So far my trim still looks good. If ever it fades again I can always polish it on the car.
Will be adding this to my to do list for sure
Could you give me some tips for removing the various trims please?
Hi Tim, unfortunately I don't have experience in removing the trim. Which trim do you need to remove?
@@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec Just wanted to take the ones around the windows off - give them a clean-up and lick of paint. Faded shadowline - looks tired.
Hi Tim, you can lever them off by inserting a flat blade screwdriver at one end and GENTLY, very gently levering the end up concentrating on not too much in relation to the length (to prevent bending the part). The screwdriver needs to be quite a small shanked and bladed one and to cover the end with electrical tape is wise. Once a gap is there a longer shanked driver can go in or you can try using your fingers to vertically pull it directly upwards along the window line. Alternatively you can, again GENTLY, work a screwdriver (flat blade..be careful!!) along it or, preferably, something like a very hard plastic trim removal tool. Thinking a bit more resourcefully, look around in your home/shed/garage for plastic things such as an old dustpan set and cut a tool from that. The C pillar trim is more difficult as on its back it has some "plugs" (3 or 4 from memory) and (again from memory) may have a connections inside the pillar where you need to remove the trim panel to get to...which needs to be done in amy case. Hope that helps and I haven't "hijacked" this channel, given my own interest and channel ') regards James, West. Aust.
As to the main A to C pillar along-the-roof trim, that has slideable stays that you can tap out from one end...perhaps after removing the windscreen surround. A squirt of lubricant works well as you will have grit causing friction aroumd them and along the part length. I say remove the windscreen trim as my memory tells me I did this due to the C pillar trim being a bit more of a finicky and tightly held on part. After the stays are all slid out the trim is self-evidently completely free of the roof assembly. Good luck...and gentleness is stressed in how you convey your physical power into the work. James
Could give some info about your blue wiper? please let me know its brand, manufacturer and so forth. Thank you so much.
Hi, do you mean the blue towel? It is a standard shop towel found in most shop supply stores. The brand is "Scott Shop Towel".
Wonderfull car BMW
Thank you!
@@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec welcome
This might be working on alluminium rims oxidation also? I am just wondering
Perhaps, I did not try it on rims. It works on aluminium if it's anodized.
So basically, you get rid of the coating on the trim, and polish the actual trim itself?
That's correct. Maybe the professionals have a way of restoring the anodized aluminium, but at home it is a good method to bring back the shine.
@@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec Thanks, I'll try this on my e30!
@@billythesawlee7097 Great I hope you'll succeed. Doing this also means that the trim will require a re-polish, maybe once a year, because the bare metal is exposed to the elements. But it's better than buying all new trim (are those even available for purchase anyway?)...
@@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec BTW, will the spray can version of the easy-off work?
Where I live do not have any kind of easy-off product, so I got to buy it from abroad, and I don't want to buy the wrong one.
Thx
Hey man, it totally works on my e30! Thanks!
Did you do it on the chrome strips on the inside as well? The ones on the inside are very bad in my car..
Does this method work for those strips as well?
That's a good question... I didn't have to improve the chrome on the inside because it's still good and shiny.
That chrome looks shinier than the exterior chrome, my guess is that it's not anodized. I would try polishing it with regular aluminum polish compound and see if the rag becomes black. If it does, you can continue polishing to improve it.
@@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec Thanks for your response. Unfortunatly mine are very bad and the dealer cant deliver new ones front. Only in the back I could get them new.
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