e30 Shadowline Trim Procedure.pdf - Brian David Bernard

strictlyeta.net /// technical /// exterior /// shadowline trim procedurehttp://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/shadowline.htmlPage 1 of 38/21/2011/// Home Pictures Modifications Articles/Advertisements Technical Blacklisted About Me Site Map Links ///Technical_ Exterior_ Shadowline Trim ProcedureShadowline Trim ProcedureFred KimPARTS NEEDED 2 or 3 cans SEM 39143 flat black trim paint adhesion promoter (optional) scuff pad and rough sandpaper (around 220 grit) masking tape 8mm socket with ratchet lots of newspaper damp ragThe 84-87 E30s had the misfortune from leaving the factory with not one, but two layers of chrome around the side windows (onearound the doors and another around the windows). BMW must have taken a page out of the old American designbook, thinking thatchrome makes cars look fancier, but it looks awfully tacky to me (besides, chrome belongs on Cadillacs, not Bimmers ;-) ). The 88-91cars had only one layer of chrome around the windows, but the factory also offered a "Shadowline" option package consisting of blacktrim around all windows, including the front and rear windshields. I blacked out all the chrome on my car, but it's up to you if you wantto black out the either window trim, the door trim, or all of it. It would also be a lot easier to remove the trim from the car when youpaint it, but I did it while it was on the car to avoid the hassle of removing and reinstalling.1) Go to to your local paint store and grab a can or two of SEM 39143 flat black trim paint. It costs around $9 a can, but it looks andfeels OEM so it's worth the money. Some people like gloss black, but I feel flat black looks more appropriate.2) Inside the car, remove the door tweeter or black triangular mirror cover (depending on how your car is equipped). Using the 8mmsocket, remove the two bolts that hold the outside rearview mirror in place and disconnect the harness. It may help to roll the windowdown and hold it in place, otherwise the mirror will fall to the ground and you will be upset.3) Tear off a piece of sandpaper and use it to scuff the surface of the chrome trim. Be sure to use even strokes and sand all the way tothe edges, otherwise the paint will not stick evenly or will flake at the edges. Also be very careful not to scratch the paint or windows,as loose parts of the sandpaper will scuff them up. When the entire chrome surface is evenly dull, use the scuff pad and go over thesurface again to clean it up.4) Clean off the surfaces with a damp rag or with soap and water. Wait until the surface dries, then clean off any excess dust.5) Now use the newspaper to mask off all surfaces adjacent to the chrome trim. Use lots ofnewspaper and spread it around to protect your car because there will be overspray, even ifyou work inside a garage. Masking the edges takes a good amount of time, and you want tobe extremely careful where you lay the tape. If you lay it too far from the edge, then you willhit the car's paint or window glass when you start spraying, but if you lay it too close thenyou will see a strip of unpainted chrome when you remove it. It may help to use a blade orflathead screwdriver when laying the masking tape. It is very important that you do this stepright, so take your time!6) Some people also use an adhesion promoter on the chrome surface prior to painting tomake the paint stick better. If you choose to do so, follow the directions on the can. (FWIW, Iused it on one side and not the other and I ended up with the same results. Perhaps overtime the difference will show.) Now before you start spraying the black paint on the car,shake the can very well and spray some leftover newspaper on the ground first (sometimeswhen you first use the paint it will have a watery texture). When spraying on the car, hold thecan 6-8 inches from the surface and use short, even strokes. Wait about 5 minutes betweencoats. I used about 4 coats for my car, you may want to use more or less depending on how

strictlyeta.net /// technical /// exterior /// shadowline trim procedurehttp://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/shadowline.htmlPage 2 of 38/21/2011it turns out.7) The surface will dry to the touch in about 15 minutes, but I waited an hour before removing the newspaper and tape. Once you doso, you may see some areas that you missed. If you weren't careful laying the masking tape, then some paint may chip off when youlift it. If either if these happens to you, remask the areas and try again.8) For best results, wait 24 hours before driving the car to allow the paint to settle.I actually do not recommend painting the chrome (or brown, if yours is really old) windshield mouldings black. The front will definitelychip, especially if you do a lot of highway driving, so I ordered a set of black strips from the dealer. The part numbers are as follows:51-31-1-968-445 (front moulding)51-31-1-906-604 (front metal cover)51-31-1-968-447 (rear upper moulding)51-31-1-968-448 (rear lower moulding)51-31-1-940-279 (rear metal covers) (x2)You may also want to black out the chrome strip on the side mouldings to match the window/door/windshield trim and to complete thelook:9) To remove the door moulding off a 2-door, open the door and remove the black nut located on the inner doorjam. Once that's out,grab the edge and just pry it out. You will hear several loud cracks as the clips release (or break). If they break, just go to your dealerand pick some up (part number 51-13-1-829-904). It's less than $1 each.10) The rear quarter panel moulding comes off the same way, but the nut is located inside the wheelwell. It may help to jack up thecar to remove it if you are using a ratchet.11) The front fender moulding does not have a black nut and is held on by a few clips. Simply grab one end and pull it off the car.12) Clean all the dirt off the mouldings and use the scuff pad to scratch the surface. Also make sure that all the edges of the chromestrip are dull. Then use the SEM trim paint and spray several light coats, using the same technique previously described. For bestresults, wait 24 hours before reinstalling the parts.BeforeAfter(1 layer remaining)After(all black)TIPS AND TRICKS1.) Don't do this if you have a hot date later in the evening. This takes a lot of time and patience to do it right, so set aside the entireday to do it. Besides, your date probably won't even notice the blacked-out trim anyway.2.) Masking tape and newspaper are cheap; a paint job is not. Don't be afraid to use a lot of both.3.) For a really smooth surface, spray a few layers of black paint on the trim and allow it to dry. Then wet sand it using 600 gritsandpaper, clean off the surface, and spray a few more layers on.4.) If you happen to scratch some of your car's paint with loose sandpaper, try washing and waxing the scratches out. I accidentallydid this to my A-pillar and a little bit of Zymol wax took it right out.5.) When placing the newspaper on your car, try to use sections that you are interested in, such as sports, entertainment, carclassifieds, local news, etc. That way you can read the latest headlines while you wait for the paint to dry :-).Many thanks to Mariano Garcia ("CleanAzzE30" on the DTM forum) for giving me the motivation to do this. After personally seeing howwell it looked on his car, I just had to do it to mine :-).

strictlyeta.net /// technical /// exterior /// shadowline trim procedurehttp://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/shadowline.htmlPage 3 of 38/21/2011LEGAL DISCLAIMER: I am in no way responsible for any damage you may inflict on your car. If you decide toperform this procedure, you are doing so at your own risk. If your sanding and painting skills are lacking, then Icannot guarantee that you will have the same results that I did. Sorry, but I gotta watch my back.BACKThis site has no affiliation with BMW North America, BMW AG, BMW M GmBH, the BMWCCA, or Chris Bangle. Just so you know.Optimized for 800x600 resolution or higher.(C) Copyright 2003-2004 Strictlyeta.net