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Chrome window trim "vinyl delete" mod?

4749 Views 15 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Caddylack
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Hey all...

Like the b-bodies, the Fleetwood uses trim around the windows that consists of chrome and black vinyl. It is common for the vinyl to become faded and start peeling, and I never liked it in the first place. Older GM vehicles use trim that is made entirely of metal, with no vinyl.

Is there a decent way to completely delete the vinyl? I haven't looked closely at this trim when it was off the car, so I'm not sure how it is assembled. So far, I just started wire brushing it out of curiosity and impulsivity.

I've attached a pic of my 95 Fleetwood, and a pic of my 85 Eldorado, which has the style that I prefer.

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Don't wire brush it, use a 3m eraser wheel

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Don't wire brush it, use a 3m eraser wheel

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk
I googled the eraser wheel... It looks like an adhesive remover. I could be wrong, but it doesn't seem like it would be very effective at removing solid material like vinyl.
Eraser wheels do a good job of removing stickers and adhesive - That said, you can probably chemically remove the vinyl (brake cleaner) and there will be very little to clean up
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Oh, man... Good idea. I was thinking acetone but I don't know what brake cleaner is made of.
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Interesting.
That's where I had learned it from

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I heard its best to remove the molding from the door and soak in in some kind of tile remover for a while then it come right off
I heard its best to remove the molding from the door and soak in in some kind of tile remover for a while then it come right off
I was thinking it would be best to remove it from the car.

As far as solvents... This molding does have some rubber attached to it, at the very least. I'm not sure if there is any plastic or anything inside it. I would hate to melt it apart.
Mite be easier but still will have to remove the trim to chrome the bottom peice to get chromed
Oh, man... Good idea. I was thinking acetone but I don't know what brake cleaner is made of.
The old tried-n-true Brakleen uses the powerful solvent Tetrachloroethylene (also called PERC), more effective than other alternate non-clorinated brake cleaners using acetone / heptane. I've used Brakleen since probably before there was anything else, and still keep a can just for final clean on drums and rotors on brake jobs - nothing else. But it's impressively carcinogenic and likely shaved a few IQ points off over the decades. And I showed it to my son and recommended he just throw out any cans he has.

On the trim I heard about the loosening vinyl early on with my first FWB and was able to catch every time an edge came loose. A little black molding adhesive applied with toothpick and temp. scotch tape and all better. I'm eye-balling my current driver for the same routine. It's got to be preferred over removing it all, but nice hearing them 3M wheels even exist if need be.
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When I purchased my car the rear driver side vinyl was peeled half way off. I tried to peel it allll the way off only making it worse because certain spot still had good adhesion. So I ended having to remove all the remaining vinyl with a Dremel sanding wheel, probably not the best option but my only option at the time. Then I removed it to prep it for paint & had to use a lil 3m metal filler on some spots I gauged from being hastily. This **** can really be a pita to remove. But the final product came out decent. The image is comparison, front to back
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When I purchased my car the rear driver side vinyl was peeled half way off. I tried to peel it allll the way off only making it worse because certain spot still had good adhesion. So I ended having to remove all the remaining vinyl with a Dremel sanding wheel, probably not the best option but my only option at the time. Then I removed it to prep it for paint & had to use a lil 3m metal filler on some spots I gauged from being hastily. This **** can really be a pita to remove. But the final product came out decent. The image is comparison, front to back
Interesting.

I suppose sanding is okay if you plan to paint.
Interesting.

I suppose sanding is okay if you plan to paint.
I know I went a lil off subject being that the post is (delete mod) but that's my labor experience on removing the stuff. However did you happen to find the remedy you were looking for?
I know I went a lil off subject being that the post is (delete mod) but that's my labor experience on removing the stuff. However did you happen to find the remedy you were looking for?
Well, I hope so. The 3M wheel thing sounds like the move for those who are trying to preserve the chrome. I haven't done it yet, though.
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