Exsterior body trim removal

[Katana550]

Hello all,

This may sound like a silly question but I could find no details in any Haynes manual or the official workshop manual!!:(

What is the best way to remove the exterior trim from the Maestro doors and side panels and also the roof trim pieces?

I need to do this to tidy up all three Maestros ('85 VdP; '83 L; '83 1600 MG) and complete their restorations!!

Are there any differences between the three cars' trim that are not obvious?

Any tips on refitting them? Especially the roof strips as I would obviously like to get a perfectly straight fit!!

Also, does any have a set of the trim pieces for the plastic bumpers of the 1.6L. The bumpers are complete and in excellent condition except the (what colour?) pieces that sit into the black rubber strip of the bumpers are all missing!! I presume they should be silver but can anyone verify this?

Thanks all,

Tim

[MaestroMatt]

Originally posted by Katana550

Also, does any have a set of the trim pieces for the plastic bumpers of the 1.6L. The bumpers are complete and in excellent condition except the (what colour?) pieces that sit into the black rubber strip of the bumpers are all missing!! I presume they should be silver but can anyone verify this?



I can answer the smallest of your questions - yes, it should be silver and you can buy it from Woolies (not Woolworths!). F153 JUE will probably drop by soon and leave their details for you.

[SimonR]

Hi Tim,

I removed the rubber roof trim strips by just pulling them up, starting in the middle and then working forward/backward. The retainers are attached with screws that you can get at when the strip is removed.

The rubbing strips on the doors/wings are stuck with adhesive pads and you may need to use heat and a spoon to lever them off gently.

The VP and several other cars had chrome effect inserts on the bumpers and trim panels, many of the others had red. A close approximation to the chrome insert can be bought from Woolies in Market Deeping for under £2 a metre. You'll need to trim it slightly and find an adhesive, which is what I'm going to have to do when I use the stuff I bought.

When you refit the roof strips make sure they and the channels are completely clean and they should be nice and straight. I guess you could use washing up liquid/WD40 to slip them back in.

I hope that helps

Simon R.

[Beaker]

Originally posted by F153JUE
When you refit the roof strips make sure they and the channels are completely clean and they should be nice and straight. I guess you could use washing up liquid/WD40 to slip them back in.

I hope that helps

Simon R.

WD40 would be better, as doesn't washing up liquid contain salt? Obviously not good to sandwich it between your roof strip and channel.

[MaestroMatt]

It does contain salt and is known to corrode cars if you are foolish/miserly enough to use it instead of car shampoo. Personally, I would use a good glop of Waxoyl like I do everywhere on my car! :)

[John S]

Whilst on the subject of trim, does anyone know if the colour coded door rubbing strips can be re-painted? My project car's strips have been scraped slightly and I was hoping to rub them smooth for re-painting.

[G51 NAV]

Originally posted by Katana550
The bumpers are complete and in excellent condition except the (what colour?) pieces that sit into the black rubber strip of the bumpers are all missing!! I presume they should be silver but can anyone verify this?
They're not missing: they were never there in the first place. A 1983 1.6L would never have had inserts in the bumper: at launch, only the VP and the MG had bumper inserts, in chrome and red respectively.

EDIT:

...Of course that doesn't mean you can't add them now for good effect, though ideally you really also need the matching side rubbing-strips for the doors

[Katana550]

Great!!!!

Isn't it wonderful:rolleyes: ; what you think should be the simplest of all jobs is also a pain:banghead: :banghead:

Anyway, thanks every one for the replies. I need to start on the MG first as it is nearest to show condition:)

I might even get around to putting some pictures on at some point!!

Tim