HELP - Removing the black dechrome trim from an e30

[Ditroia]

Guys can someone please post some detailed instructions possibly with pictures detailing how to remove the black dechrome trim from a friends e30 without damaging it! Thanks in advance for any help given.

[kevin316i]

To remove the trim without damaging it is amost impossible. It's made from aluminium. Removal of rear window trim depends on whether its a 3dr or 4dr car. Why remove it, people spend money and time replacing chrome trim with the dechromed trim!

[Ditroia]

I'm removing it to put it on my car! There must be a technique someone has come across to do this?!...

[Ditroia]

It's a 2 door and it's just the side's of the car, not the front and back.

[kevin316i]

For a 2 door, you need to remove the rear side windows (glass rubers and trim) to get the trim off without damage as it is embedded in the window rubbers. There are a couple of nuts holding the b pillar trim in place you access from the inside.

The gutter trims should be removed starting from bottom of A-pillar and pulled GENTLY and gradually. The front door bottom trims should be gently prised upwards starting at one end and working along. A useful implement for this is a timber wedge as it is soft enough to prevent damage to trims/paint and gives good leverage. I'm assuming you have a post-88 E30 so the top and side trim on the doors should be dechromed already.

Patience and care is the key.