Door Trim

[robw09]

Hi guys, need some advice on how to remove the centre door trim strips from a recently purchased Mk2 8v GTi 3 door.  Towards the rear of the car (open door side) the trim has lifted, but is fairly solid.  I want to take it off and put back on.  So, I need some advice on how to remove and then how to replace and reseal it.  As I don't want to ruin anything by going in hamfisted!

Cheers

Rob

[Thom89]

I take it you're talking about the Rub strips on the exterior of the doors lower edge?
The mouding simply pulls off, one clip at a time, you will need to replace the little rubber caps that fit into the holes on the door, these caps are available from the Dealers, or VW Heritage
Re using the old damaged caps will result in the moulding coming adrift again after a short while

Thom

[X4MGS]

I take it you're talking about the Rub strips on the exterior of the doors lower edge?
The mouding simply pulls off, one clip at a time, you will need to replace the little rubber caps that fit into the holes on the door, these caps are available from the Dealers, or VW Heritage
Re using the old damaged caps will result in the moulding coming adrift again after a short while

Thom

You can do it Thom's way BUT You Can Bust the middle clip on the trim by doing it that way....

I would "suggest" the "safest" way of doing it is from the inside out....

Take off the door trim and knock the clips out from the inside with a hammer handle... (door trim is a few screws and the handle surround which slides off & job done) If you do do it this way mind and put back the plastic membrane to stop ruining your door cards!!!

I've learnt this the hard way!!! after breaking a couple of trim pieces...

[robw09]

I was talking about the lower centre door trim...not sure on the technical name of it.

I had trying pulling it but i think the previous owner has used some sort of silicone to try an stick it.

I will take door card off and have a look.  What clips do I need from VW Heritage?

[Thom89]

I was talking about the lower centre door trim...not sure on the technical name of it.

I had trying pulling it but i think the previous owner has used some sort of silicone to try an stick it.

I will take door card off and have a look.  What clips do I need from VW Heritage?

Put up a pic of the trim in question, to eliminate confusion...

Assuming we are talking of the rubstrip that runs the length of the door, there is no point trying from the inside of the door, if its been bonded from the outside, in fact, pushing on the clips from the inside, is more likely to damage them! these mouldings are designed to be gently prized off from the outside, the rubber caps are a sacrificial item that are cheap and easy to replace...
Carefully run a decorators paint scraper behind the moulding to slice through any silicone sealer, you'll "feel" the moulding start to pop off its clips...
Once removed, post up a pic of the back of the moulding, and the rubber caps, as there are a couple of variations of these clips, we can look and see which clips you require from Heritage

Thom

[robw09]

Close Up


Wide View


Looks like someone has put some sort of mastic or a similar product...

[Gambit]

yep it does indeed, there is no sealent used when fitting, so id say the clips are broke on the back of the trim & hence they just tried to stick it to the car!

[robw09]

so then, what approach should i take to remove it?  And can you tell what clips I will need to put it back on?

don't want to ruin it!

cheers
rob

[Thom89]

As already said, just gently prize it off, clips will unclip, and adhesive can be sliced through with a paint scraper...

Thom

[robw09]

Ok, sounds like that is something I can do, gently, gently....and then to put back on I presume i just clear the adhesive from the trim and door and it just clips back on from the outside?

I guess from your previous reply, Thom, I cannot order the clips until I know for definite which ones they are (Mine is a 1990)?  Will it just be new clips or some sort of adhesive tape as well?

Thanks for help so far
Rob

http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Trim-Clip-Side-moulding-Golf-Mk2-90-spec-18-reqd_act_shop.product_pID_50672923_lang_EN_country_GB.htm?crumbStartPage=3&crumbStartRow=42