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Removing 40(+?) year old adhesive trim without damaging paint?

Triplegreen500

Triplegreen500

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So at some point in its prior life, someone added adhesive-mounted, thin plastic/rubber rub strips on the side of my '70 Charger. They're not factory, they don't have any rivets or hardware, they're just stick-on.

And, they're ugly.

Anyone have any ideas on how to dissolve the adhesive? I've read about citronella tiki torch fuel...something about the citrus...

I hate the moldings, but I really don't want to paint this car since it's original, if I can help it.

877217.jpg
 
3M makes a spray product used for safely and softly removing weatherstrip glue.
I have used it a million times on old lacquer paint as well as enamels and BC/CC -
spray it on, do small sections and use a plastic edge to lift and help roll back the bump guard. (don't leave it sit on for a long time, specially on lacquer).
GO SLOW and don't pull really hard - patience. Might tale you an entire Saturday to do this.
 
patience-grasshopper.jpg


Heat helps too. Park the car outdoors on a hot, sunny day.

The 3M stuff is good. I haven't used the aerosol version.
1701133.jpg


Above all else, patience.
 
A good solvent based wax and grease remover normally works on adhesive as well (RM 900 for example).
 
The most gentle product I know of is WD-40. It will soften the adhesive and evaporates
completely. The 3M 08984 product is the best!
 
There are plenty of good solvents that will help but it'll be much more effective if you can directly access the adhesive & not try to reach it from the sides.... In other words if you can get the moldings out of the way before you get serious about removing the adhesive...

Todays trick? Fishing line.... You can cut through the foam backing of the double sided tape with fishing line & after that the adhesive is easy to deal with...
 
Last edited:
I understand wanting to remove the trim.
But just so you are aware, You will have a ghost line down each side of the car.
3000 wet sand and buff will dumb it down but it will remain.
 
Heat gun ( carefully), then after trim is removed, go back at the adhesive with a solvent. I do like the fishing line idea R/T mentioned above, just haven't had a chance to try it yet.
 
Yep if the car has sat out in the sun any there will be a darker strip where the trim was.
 
1967coronet said:
I understand wanting to remove the trim.
But just so you are aware, You will have a ghost line down each side of the car.
3000 wet sand and buff will dumb it down but it will remain.
Click to expand...

worst case scenario you could always do a dirty Mary thing :hitit:


34c3254bf3e8ec1745fc8860cff6aeb9.jpg
 
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