Door Pillar Restoration
02-12-14, 04:38 PM
#1
Door Pillar Restoration
So like most SC's in the West, the sun is hot and the UV rays are hurting to our cars. It's not often when I see an SC with perfect door pillars. Mine have started to fade on the drivers side.
So what would be the best method to restore it?
If you're wondering why I posted this in this forum instead of the detailing forum, it's because I think you guys would know the "abouts" of this paint. It's metallic black. Is it just universal color? Is there a color code for them?
Edit: I should add that It's beyond restoring with powerful plastics cleaner. I used headlight restorer and the strong Plast-X and it didn't make it look much better. I even used heave oxidation remover...
TIA
So what would be the best method to restore it?
If you're wondering why I posted this in this forum instead of the detailing forum, it's because I think you guys would know the "abouts" of this paint. It's metallic black. Is it just universal color? Is there a color code for them?
Edit: I should add that It's beyond restoring with powerful plastics cleaner. I used headlight restorer and the strong Plast-X and it didn't make it look much better. I even used heave oxidation remover...
TIA
02-12-14, 06:36 PM
#5
I've tried painting it, properly too, by using stripsol on the old paint, then scuffing the stainless steel underneath with a rough sand paper, so the primer would stick well, then a good black glossy paint, and clear coat. Didn't really last that long. It's been roughly 3 years and now it is starting to peel off. If you can't get a pro with good equipment to paint it, I strongly recommend just getting it covered with vinyl sticker the same kind they use to cover up entire cars. I think you have a better chance with that lasting longer. Good luck.
02-12-14, 09:08 PM
#6
I've tried painting it, properly too, by using stripsol on the old paint, then scuffing the stainless steel underneath with a rough sand paper, so the primer would stick well, then a good black glossy paint, and clear coat. Didn't really last that long. It's been roughly 3 years and now it is starting to peel off. If you can't get a pro with good equipment to paint it, I strongly recommend just getting it covered with vinyl sticker the same kind they use to cover up entire cars. I think you have a better chance with that lasting longer. Good luck.
02-12-14, 09:42 PM
#7
Has anyone actually removed them? Is it as simple as ripping them free from the adhesive?
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02-13-14, 07:27 AM
#9
I figured removing them and replacing them with ones off a parts car would be the best idea too. But I've tried removing them using this method, but they're still stuck on with some adhesive. I didn't want to damage anything further trying to rip it off (because I didn't actually have replacements at the time).
Has anyone actually removed them? Is it as simple as ripping them free from the adhesive?
Has anyone actually removed them? Is it as simple as ripping them free from the adhesive?
For you, maybe, but for people like me, (restoring it to stock), it wouldn't work.
02-13-14, 07:50 AM
#10
1JZ Single SC400
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You know I have seen several SC's with faded pillars. Mine are still like new/used condition for being 21 years old. No paint or clear peeling. I would rather sand, prep, and spray than to wrap. JMO.
02-13-14, 08:43 AM
#11
"I figured removing them and replacing them with ones off a parts car would be the best idea too. But I've tried removing them using this method, but they're still stuck on with some adhesive. I didn't want to damage anything further trying to rip it off (because I didn't actually have replacements at the time).
Has anyone actually removed them? Is it as simple as ripping them free from the adhesive?"
- A new door trim can be had from your local dealer, just ~$945.00!!
To remove the exterior door trim is quite an effort. The two little hidden screws mentioned above are only the beginning... That door trim is 1 piece including the entire chrome surround from the mirror to the door edge. To remove you must -
1. remove the inner lower door panel assembly
2. remove the inner upper door trim assembly (extremely fragile!!)
3. remove the mirror
4. 'drop' the window down within the door (I'm not real good at this, involves loosening the window track to lower the glass beyond its normal limit...)
At this point you should have access to all the mounts. As noted there are two very small screws under the covers at the door edge, there are a series of ~5 nuts that hold the trim on the upper edge along the window opening (these are all concealed under the inner upper window trim), there is one screw near the mirror, and there are ~5 more small screws that secure the trim along the bottom edge of the window opening (these are obscured by the window, hence the need to drop the glass down to gain access...). You should now be able to pop the single plastic clip (between the 2 small screws at the door edge, and slowly (there is some double sided tape along the upper edge) peel the trim off the door.
Do not try to remove the inner upper door trim without first removing the lower inner door panel, there are 5 mounting screws for the upper trim under the lower panel.
Sounds bad, but it can generally be done in less than a half hour, 'bout the same to reassemble. Use caution, all the parts are brittle/fragile after all these years. If unsure, I recommend visiting a local U-pull junk yard for practice!
One other word of caution, mix and matching trims from other cars can lead to a slightly 'disjointed' look wherein the chrome surround may be slightly misaligned as it crosses the door gap.
Good luck!!, - Brent.
Has anyone actually removed them? Is it as simple as ripping them free from the adhesive?"
- A new door trim can be had from your local dealer, just ~$945.00!!
To remove the exterior door trim is quite an effort. The two little hidden screws mentioned above are only the beginning... That door trim is 1 piece including the entire chrome surround from the mirror to the door edge. To remove you must -
1. remove the inner lower door panel assembly
2. remove the inner upper door trim assembly (extremely fragile!!)
3. remove the mirror
4. 'drop' the window down within the door (I'm not real good at this, involves loosening the window track to lower the glass beyond its normal limit...)
At this point you should have access to all the mounts. As noted there are two very small screws under the covers at the door edge, there are a series of ~5 nuts that hold the trim on the upper edge along the window opening (these are all concealed under the inner upper window trim), there is one screw near the mirror, and there are ~5 more small screws that secure the trim along the bottom edge of the window opening (these are obscured by the window, hence the need to drop the glass down to gain access...). You should now be able to pop the single plastic clip (between the 2 small screws at the door edge, and slowly (there is some double sided tape along the upper edge) peel the trim off the door.
Do not try to remove the inner upper door trim without first removing the lower inner door panel, there are 5 mounting screws for the upper trim under the lower panel.
Sounds bad, but it can generally be done in less than a half hour, 'bout the same to reassemble. Use caution, all the parts are brittle/fragile after all these years. If unsure, I recommend visiting a local U-pull junk yard for practice!
One other word of caution, mix and matching trims from other cars can lead to a slightly 'disjointed' look wherein the chrome surround may be slightly misaligned as it crosses the door gap.
Good luck!!, - Brent.
02-13-14, 09:02 AM
#12
^ Thanks Brent. I has a feeling this was the case when it didn't pop off when I took off those 2 first screws. But unsure and trying to be optimistic, I thought it was simply an adhesive. Now I can see why no one changes these out, and simply wraps them.
I'm like a few other people on here, and prefer it to be original rather than wrapped. But I guess I have no choice now. Going to have to decide whether I want to carbon-fibre wrap it (which I think would look out I place unless there was carbon-fibre elsewhere on the car), or plasti-dip it..
I'm like a few other people on here, and prefer it to be original rather than wrapped. But I guess I have no choice now. Going to have to decide whether I want to carbon-fibre wrap it (which I think would look out I place unless there was carbon-fibre elsewhere on the car), or plasti-dip it..
02-13-14, 09:05 AM
#13
"I figured removing them and replacing them with ones off a parts car would be the best idea too. But I've tried removing them using this method, but they're still stuck on with some adhesive. I didn't want to damage anything further trying to rip it off (because I didn't actually have replacements at the time).
Has anyone actually removed them? Is it as simple as ripping them free from the adhesive?"
- A new door trim can be had from your local dealer, just ~$945.00!!
To remove the exterior door trim is quite an effort. The two little hidden screws mentioned above are only the beginning... That door trim is 1 piece including the entire chrome surround from the mirror to the door edge. To remove you must -
1. remove the inner lower door panel assembly
2. remove the inner upper door trim assembly (extremely fragile!!)
3. remove the mirror
4. 'drop' the window down within the door (I'm not real good at this, involves loosening the window track to lower the glass beyond its normal limit...)
At this point you should have access to all the mounts. As noted there are two very small screws under the covers at the door edge, there are a series of ~5 nuts that hold the trim on the upper edge along the window opening (these are all concealed under the inner upper window trim), there is one screw near the mirror, and there are ~5 more small screws that secure the trim along the bottom edge of the window opening (these are obscured by the window, hence the need to drop the glass down to gain access...). You should now be able to pop the single plastic clip (between the 2 small screws at the door edge, and slowly (there is some double sided tape along the upper edge) peel the trim off the door.
Do not try to remove the inner upper door trim without first removing the lower inner door panel, there are 5 mounting screws for the upper trim under the lower panel.
Sounds bad, but it can generally be done in less than a half hour, 'bout the same to reassemble. Use caution, all the parts are brittle/fragile after all these years. If unsure, I recommend visiting a local U-pull junk yard for practice!
One other word of caution, mix and matching trims from other cars can lead to a slightly 'disjointed' look wherein the chrome surround may be slightly misaligned as it crosses the door gap.
Good luck!!, - Brent.
Has anyone actually removed them? Is it as simple as ripping them free from the adhesive?"
- A new door trim can be had from your local dealer, just ~$945.00!!
To remove the exterior door trim is quite an effort. The two little hidden screws mentioned above are only the beginning... That door trim is 1 piece including the entire chrome surround from the mirror to the door edge. To remove you must -
1. remove the inner lower door panel assembly
2. remove the inner upper door trim assembly (extremely fragile!!)
3. remove the mirror
4. 'drop' the window down within the door (I'm not real good at this, involves loosening the window track to lower the glass beyond its normal limit...)
At this point you should have access to all the mounts. As noted there are two very small screws under the covers at the door edge, there are a series of ~5 nuts that hold the trim on the upper edge along the window opening (these are all concealed under the inner upper window trim), there is one screw near the mirror, and there are ~5 more small screws that secure the trim along the bottom edge of the window opening (these are obscured by the window, hence the need to drop the glass down to gain access...). You should now be able to pop the single plastic clip (between the 2 small screws at the door edge, and slowly (there is some double sided tape along the upper edge) peel the trim off the door.
Do not try to remove the inner upper door trim without first removing the lower inner door panel, there are 5 mounting screws for the upper trim under the lower panel.
Sounds bad, but it can generally be done in less than a half hour, 'bout the same to reassemble. Use caution, all the parts are brittle/fragile after all these years. If unsure, I recommend visiting a local U-pull junk yard for practice!
One other word of caution, mix and matching trims from other cars can lead to a slightly 'disjointed' look wherein the chrome surround may be slightly misaligned as it crosses the door gap.
Good luck!!, - Brent.
02-13-14, 09:40 AM
#14
I too wanted the correct factory appearance. Of 4 door trims on my 2 SCs only one was still in good condition, so I made a habit of trying to find nice ones at the junk yard. Small problem with the pre made CF covers, is coverage of the 1/4 - 1/2 inch area that curves into the door gap, nicks there will still show. Paint would require both sides, and is unlikely to adhere well to the chrome... Asked the dealer for a replacement quote, hence the 945 part price. Found ($18.00 at the U-pull) and installed (dealer) a nice OE trim on my 300, so it is good, and have a nice pair now ready for install on my 400 as well.
Bestest!, - Brent
Bestest!, - Brent
02-13-14, 12:44 PM
#15
I too wanted the correct factory appearance. Of 4 door trims on my 2 SCs only one was still in good condition, so I made a habit of trying to find nice ones at the junk yard. Small problem with the pre made CF covers, is coverage of the 1/4 - 1/2 inch area that curves into the door gap, nicks there will still show. Paint would require both sides, and is unlikely to adhere well to the chrome... Asked the dealer for a replacement quote, hence the 945 part price. Found ($18.00 at the U-pull) and installed (dealer) a nice OE trim on my 300, so it is good, and have a nice pair now ready for install on my 400 as well.
Bestest!, - Brent
Bestest!, - Brent
Buy a small European country for that price! That's only for the extremely desperate people. A tip on how to find these...go through eBay, contact the sellers that have the picture of an entire SC (JY parts car) and ask them if they have what you're looking for. A lot of times they have them. Might cost a pretty penny, but you'll still be paying less than half from anywhere else.