[Caddylack]

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.

 

[soy_chingon13]

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

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[Caddylack]

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

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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.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

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

 

[Caddylack]

Oh, man... Good idea. I was thinking acetone but I don't know what brake cleaner is made of.

 

[soy_chingon13]

Exterior Door And Window Trim Flaking Off 95 Cadillac...

My mother pointed out that some of the trim around the windows and on the door was flaking off so she decided to peel some of it off now it looks pretty ugly with some of the trim remaining.... We've had some rain lately and water doesn't appear to be penetrating anything, is it safe to remove...

www.cadillacforums.com

 

[Caddylack]

Interesting.

 

[soy_chingon13]

That's where I had learned it from

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[BIGBODY9SIX]

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

 

[Caddylack]

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.

 

[BIGBODY9SIX]

Mite be easier but still will have to remove the trim to chrome the bottom peice to get chromed

 

[96 Black]

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.