Advice Needed.

[Andyb194]

I will be starting on the restoration of my Elite in the coming months and although the car has a full set of metal trim it has been painted the colour of the car. I am reluctant to take off the top and bottom windscreen finishers as you don't seem to be able to get hold of these but I will remove all the others.
What will be the best way to remove the paint from them so I can then buff them. Thanks for any advice, ps really looking forward to seeing the cars that will be on display at the nec will be there on the Sunday.

[Pete Boole]

Hi Andy

Be super-careful how you remove any trim. It's held in position on the doors and rear quarter panels with clips on the bodywork - it is really hard to get it off without bending it in the process. If it's just the roof-line/A-pillar trim you're planning to remove there are a couple of things worth noting: The windscreen upper corners are bonded in place to the other three trim pieces - usually with epoxy. The trim going along the length of the roof is difficult to remove with the rear side windows in. All the trim is anodised and cannot be polished without getting the anodising reversed. Any good paint remover should get the paint off - it may have been "scuffed" to promote paint adhesion though.

Pete

[CHRISYD]

Hi Andy

Be super-careful how you remove any trim. It's held in position on the doors and rear quarter panels with clips on the bodywork - it is really hard to get it off without bending it in the process. If it's just the roof-line/A-pillar trim you're planning to remove there are a couple of things worth noting: The windscreen upper corners are bonded in place to the other three trim pieces - usually with epoxy. The trim going along the length of the roof is difficult to remove with the rear side windows in. All the trim is anodised and cannot be polished without getting the anodising reversed. Any good paint remover should get the paint off - it may have been "scuffed" to promote paint adhesion though.

Pete

I agree, my eclat had painted metal trims. I used a hot air gun and fine wire wool GENTLY. It got most off but it did lose some of its shine but still good and a lot better than risking bending it getting it off.

[Andyb194]

Thanks for the advice guys, will be at the nec on Sunday so should be able to pick up more good advice.