FAQ?: Ghetto Style "Chrome" Window Trim Fix

[Jake D]

If you have an 80's era bimmer, chances are that the original silver trim around the windows looks like this...

Before:


I was thinking of a way to resolve this issue without spending hundreds of dollars in the process. After posting a thread on this forum, Shawn D told me about a nice and easy fix that you can do for around $10!!
I thought I'd share this "write-up" with you guys.

After:



FIRST:
Boogie down to your local hardware store and pick up a roll of ALUMINUM TAPE. You'll find it near the HVAC supplies. It looks like this:


You'll also need:

• A roll of low-tack painters tape. You know, the blue stuff.
  Razor blade
  Plastic putty knife
  Good degreasing cleaner
  Papertowels
  Clean rag or towel
  A friendly assistant

Step 1.
Clean the trim around the window. Make sure that you get everything off of there. Even small stuff will show thru the tape when finished.

Now use the "blue tape" to mask the rubber and the car around the trim strip.


Step 2.
Cut a strip of the aluminum tape to the correct length.
Carefully peel off the backing layer and apply the tape to the trim. Be sure to NOT let the tape kink or contact anything. Take your time with this stuff. Start at one end and gently apply pressure as you tack it down to the trim strip. Keep the lifted end close to the trim.
Once you have it down, use your rag to rub the tape so it "forms" around the edges of the trim.


To cut away the excess, I used the beveled edge of a plastic putty knife. Just apply light pressure and run it between the trim and the rubber.


Use a razor to trim across the ends then remove the blue tape and the excess aluminum tape.


Repeat the process and enjoy the results!!

[IDBip32]

thank you, how does it hold up to rain?

[Badbradacadabra]

Nice. I just relocated my washer & dryer to the basement and didn't know how I would use the rest of my metal tape. I'll give this a shot in a few weeks.

[BMWCCA2]

Nice trick.

For only about $40 more I can replace the strips (front and rear) with the real BMW parts. Or less if I buy it by the foot from my local auto glass shop.

[Jake D]

thank you, how does it hold up to rain?

Not sure, actually.
It rained right after I installed it on, but this stuff is damn sticky. I'm sure that it will be just dandy. I'm more concerned with how it will stand up to washing and ice-scrapers. If you drag anything hard across it, it will leave a "scar". It's not as durable as the real deal.

Nice trick.

For only about $40 more I can replace the strips (front and rear) with the real BMW parts. Or less if I buy it by the foot from my local auto glass shop.

Yup, that is probably the best option. However, on a car that is probably a 6 out of 10, $10 was a much wiser investment... AND you really can't tell the difference from 3-5 feet.

[Mike W.]

thank you, how does it hold up to rain?

It'll hold up to rain just fine. The sun and heat might get to the adhesive in 4 or 5 years though. Aluminum duct tape is good stuff, real good stuff. I haven't used it for this, but I have for other things outside.

[Shawn D.]

It held up on my car for about five years -- longer than lock strips stay nice-looking in the South. You're also not likely to upseat the window sealing, either.

[MrNic3Guy]

Very nice! All DIY should have pictures like this for every step. Thanks





I'm going to do that to the front one.

[MK_Ultra]

Is there any way to remove the trim to paint, or would that have to be done with the trim on the car?

[Moose]

This is crazy, I had done this to my car on my own, had no idea anyone else had done this I thought I was pretty clever too!

[John in VA]

Is there any way to remove the trim to paint, or would that have to be done with the trim on the car?

Pull it loose on an end and yank it out, then paint your color of choice. It will be more difficult to put back in.

[chukrad]

or mask it off and use plasti dip spray paint to black it out. I did it last summer and it still looks good. added bonus, if you don't like the plasti dip it can be cleaned off.

[Jake D]

After 2 years, it still looks good. There are a couple wrinkles from the lock-strip continuing to shrink under the tape. Looks WAY better than the "avocado" finish that it had before. I'd do this again in a heartbeat.

[Ga4.6is]

A bit off topic..

I think I just purchased a member's car from this forum. This thread caught my eye because I can tell there is aluminum tape on the trim and it's starting to peel and wrinkle badly. Have no idea how long it's been there.

It's a white 88 528e auto. Tan interior (fairly poor condition) with about 226k miles. Bought it very cheap as a daily and to bring it back to life. Still runs great, cold a/c. Im pleased!

Definite BMW enthusiast an technician here. I also have an 88 325is (Track/ DE car), and my weekender is an 02' X5 4.6is.

It looks like somewhere in 07-08 the PO took good care of the car but I believe there must have been some neglect by the next owner for a couple years. (Interior was filthy!) Sorry for the o.t. post, but it would be cool to meet at least one of her previous owners.

Ohh, and she's wearing "MYE28.COM" badges on both rear windows- that's what brought me to this forum

-Ben

[foamy]

i did the trim like that for about a year then i bought some black decal tape and re did the whole car with the black trim it looked great for a few years but its starting to peal back in some places its almost time to be re done.

i just noticed this treads age. i clicked into it form a current thread and just posted not realizing how old it was.

[byza213]

old thread

but im thinking of giving this a go , until at least i get my car re painted , will post some results

[foamy]

i chose to use a flat black decal tape from eBay.

[byza213]

going for the chrome look , as i have plasti dip on my trim at the moment