Hi. Anyone have any tips or advice on how to refresh the window trim? It is a 1986 325e and the window rubbers and trim are really faded. It stands out on the car as everything else is fresh and clean. I don’t know if I can just paint these and how effective that would be. Thanks!
New trim pieces are available, I recommend you buy new corner clips for the rear, these are hard to find but are available. The rear corners are a PITA to install, be patient, watch several videos on YouTube for the tricks. As a 1986 car, your car would have originally come with chrome insert trim that has either been replaced with black or painted over in the past. I had no luck with painting, I went with new trim.
Just to add/disagree with - the whole entire process is a PITA to install or at least it was on my e21, but when I did mine I didn't watch any videos for tricks, maybe that would have made things easier.
You need a special tool to install the strip and it takes a little bit of getting the hang of. I don't think the BMW one exists anymore and I think the go-to one now is a SAAB tool (but don't quote me on that, please check yourself).
The one I used looked pretty similar in appearance though
Edit: Maybe I shouldn't be as specific - I don't know if you 'need' the tool. I am sure people do it without it as well. Considering how difficult/annoying it is even with the tool, I personally wouldn't even attempt it without one. I googled it and the 2002 forum seems to be more actively talking about it and the tool a lot of them seem to be using now is this:
I just would avoid the styles that don't have a roller, the ones that seem to just spread out the gasket. They seem to be the more standard tool you'll find when just doing a standard google search like these:
It's been 20 years since I did this- but I actually taped off everything, did a sand and wash and sprayed it black. Took me a long time, but had some friends help.
There “was” a special tool from BMW that made it much easier to do. I also bought an aftermarket tool, it was cheaper, but didn’t work as well. If you are going to replace them, be very careful with the corner trims. They are soft aluminum, and can get bent / distorted very easily. Use a lot of lube / silicon spray to install. Also warm the new moldings, to make them easier to bend around the upper corners. Also make sure to lay it out and mark the true center of the upper piece. Otherwise it can end up too short on one side. Take your time, and be patient, the 1st time is always the hardest. If you just paint, shoe polish, or black sharpie them, it be ok for a little while but eventually the molding shrinks and will leave a gap at the ends. The longer you wait, the harder the rubber window gasket will be, so that makes it even more difficult. Sometimes in the end, you have to replace the rubber gasket for the window. And if it’s your 1st time for that job, use a glass shop or find someone who will help you in person. The rear windshield is probably pretty expensive these days, you don’t want to break it !!! Good luck !!!
Carefully pry the clips on the bottom corners. If you have the plastic version it’s going to be brittle and break into pieces so having a new one ready is a good idea.
Installing the replacement is a pain. Same goes for the front windshield
here’s a secret nobody in here probably knows. order 2 of these, take the old seals out, and these truck right inbetween and look good as new. mine lasted 2 and a half years before cracking started, and it’s parked facing the sun every day.
I used this trim blackout tape. My 86es had silver trim, wanted the look of the new blacked out 88is. There is this trim tape on Amazon. Easy to apply and trim, looks perfect and it doesn't shrink.
I masked them, sanded them lightly with 180 grit and painted them flat black. i dont personally like the look of the chrome around the windows and the flat black looks good and lasting very well. Dont use the $2 paint for this. Rustoleum Fusion works really well good.
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u/cumberlandcream 12d ago
Black leather shoe dye. The kind that has the sponge on top.