Broken Shadowline trim, replace with matte?

[drummr8]

On the new ZHP I picked up for my fiance, the previous owner somehow managed to snap the rear part of the shadowline trim off. He said he no longer had the piece, threw it away like an idiot. How terrible would it look if replaced with the matte black trim? I can't believe how ridiculously expensive the gloss black is!

[ryankokesh]

Would you replace all of it with matte?

[drummr8]

Would you replace all of it with matte?

I wouldn't replace "all of it", just the upper piece that is messed up (the long one)

if the difference is not noticeable, and I save 150 bucks, I'm all about it :)

EDIT: on the other hand, if it's going to look like absolute garbage, I'll splurge and get the gloss piece, hence the question

[ryankokesh]

Well, to be honest I'm all about saving the monies too. But, having a single section matte would drive me bonkers. Personally I'd go all in one way or another, even if it meant painting. Probably a personal call.

[drummr8]

Well, to be honest I'm all about saving the monies too. But, having a single section matte would drive me bonkers. Personally I'd go all in one way or another, even if it meant painting. Probably a personal call.

yeah, I thought about painting. Is it possible to get decent results painting it gloss black? I was thinking I could just apply a gloss clear to the matte black and maybe it'd look close enough. Maybe the savings isn't worth the hassle :dunno

[ryankokesh]

yeah, I thought about painting. Is it possible to get decent results painting it gloss black? I was thinking I could just apply a gloss clear to the matte black and maybe it'd look close enough. Maybe the savings isn't worth the hassle :dunno

Actually, come to think of it, I'd give gloss black vinyl wrap a shot. That would probably be better and easier than painting, and would probably get you fairly close.

[drummr8]

Actually, come to think of it, I'd give gloss black vinyl wrap a shot. That would probably be better and easier than painting, and would probably get you fairly close.

appreciate the advice. I think I'll give it a shot on her car and if it turns out nice, I might buy a second roll to use on my car :D

[ryankokesh]

appreciate the advice. I think I'll give it a shot on her car and if it turns out nice, I might buy a second roll to use on my car :D

Good luck!

Might not hurt to watch some YouTube how to videos on it... Takes just a little know-how.


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[bshovers]

Join the club! I have a piece missing on my drivers side rear window. I have a matte black piece I got from a friend. I just need to figure out how to install it now. This shits a PITA. And no kidding on the price of it either. IIRC it's like $1200 for the whole car?!?!?!?


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[drummr8]

Join the club! I have a piece missing on my drivers side rear window. I have a matte black piece I got from a friend. I just need to figure out how to install it now. This shits a PITA. And no kidding on the price of it either. IIRC it's like $1200 for the whole car?!?!?!?


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madness!

[bshovers]

To make matters worse to my right side rear piece is hanging on by a thread lol. I wish this stuff came in pieces like it should! Not just one big piece.


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[Vas]

When installing the long pieces I suggest new clips.

As much as it sucks, I suggest would get to shadowline trim or vinyl wrap the matte with Shadow line vinyl

[Hornung418]

Vinyl wrap in gloss black. As long as it isnt textured it should look like the rest of the trim.

[sna77]

I had a few that were oxidized.. I just gave in and replaced them with shadownline. The matte doesn't match at all.

[ryankokesh]

To make matters worse to my right side rear piece is hanging on by a thread lol. I wish this stuff came in pieces like it should! Not just one big piece.


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Yeah, really dumb that you can't buy individual pieces...

[TheFinanceGuy]

I have two pieces in my garage, but the gloss black is all chipped away.
I was able to find a set used in decent condition.

[drummr8]

I have two pieces in my garage, but the gloss black is all chipped away.
I was able to find a set used in decent condition.

would you sell me just the rear part/piece that I am missing? I'll just vinyl wrap the whole thing once installed.

[BADCLOWN]

There's an IR ZHP being parted on E46F right now

[MrMaico]

Might want to check out this stuff...........

http://shadowlinetrim.com

[ClimRox]

^ This is interesting. I wonder if anyone here has tried it?

[drummr8]

There's an IR ZHP being parted on E46F right now

yeah I've hit that guy up a few times and no response :(

[TheFinanceGuy]

There's an IR ZHP being parted on E46F right now


yeah I've hit that guy up a few times and no response :(

This car? http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1065457? That is Tony. I believe he is on vacation and out of the country. Probably why no response. Thought it looks like Ben has dibs on that trim.

[sillieidiot]

^ This is interesting. I wonder if anyone here has tried it?

i have. the film still has orange peel on it and it bothered the shit out of me. so much that i took it off. going to try the painting route now.

[ClimRox]

i have. the film still has orange peel on it and it bothered the shit out of me. so much that i took it off. going to try the painting route now.

Thats too bad. It would have driven me crazy too.

[Cadeez]

I'm thinking about getting the vinyl wrap from ECS to do mine, and if it's crap, hey it was only $17. Anyone used it?

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Exterior/3M_Vinyl_Wrap/ES2535873/

What I'm having trouble finding is a DIY for the best way to remove the trim though, both drip rail & door/window trim. Anyone know where I can find one? Or is it just as easy as using the correct plastic trim removal tools, prying gently at one end until it pops out? I'd be really pissed if I ruined a piece of molding doing this...

[drummr8]

So I bought just the rear kinked piece from a 323i, and it is not the same length :( - there is no change in the part number over the years though. I figured I could use this rear piece with the rest of my gloss black and then put the vinyl over it...

does anyone know if the chrome trim is the same size/shape exactly as the gloss black? This is a real pain in the ass.

[johnrando]

I'm thinking about getting the vinyl wrap from ECS to do mine, and if it's crap, hey it was only $17. Anyone used it?

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Exterior/3M_Vinyl_Wrap/ES2535873/

What I'm having trouble finding is a DIY for the best way to remove the trim though, both drip rail & door/window trim. Anyone know where I can find one? Or is it just as easy as using the correct plastic trim removal tools, prying gently at one end until it pops out? I'd be really pissed if I ruined a piece of molding doing this...
Look on the BSW site for speak installed for how to remove door panels. Dash trim just pops out, one side gently then the other. Do in the right order as I think right dash trim overlaps center? Someone correct me. Afa vinyl wrap, no idea. Gl!

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