Restoring Door Window Reveal

[bing98]

I'm not sure if my pics will show as I'm new at posting pics, but I'm sure most will understand the issue. 2000-05 reveal moldings on the doors are coated with a black rubberized type coating. Over time it starts to breakdown. dull spots and marks appear.

Can this be restored without painting? I see people online restoring black plastic trim with a heat gun. Would that work on these? How about some sort of hand or machine polishing?

Please share anything you might have had luck with....

[bing98]

I guess the pics didn't work. Oddly if you right-click on the image icon and select open in a new tab it works...

[peter]

Every 00+ bonneville, given enough time in the sun, will have their beltline trim degrade and split. It's not worth trying to find a replacement from a donor car, they're all going to do this sooner or later.

This is what I did:

-- remove/loosen exterior mirror assemblies (3 10mm bolts behind each tweeter speaker opening)
-- removed beltline molding. lifting while tilting it towards you removes these pretty easily.
-- used wire wheel to remove all of the sun-dried rubber coating
-- once cleaned up and prepped for paint, used a semi flat black paint to match the rest of the window trim.

After doing this, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I can post some pics later

[bing98]

Peter,

That's awesome. Thanks for the tip. Some pics would be great.

Did you ever attempt to polish the coating and if so, was there any improvement?

My car spent it's first 35k in a climate controlled garage. When I got it a year ago the reveals were in excellent condition. Now after just 20k and one winter outdoors they are already starting to break down. I have been applying that 303 Protectant, but it doesn't appear to be helping.

Thanks again

[luke_dubs]

Another thing I've seen people do is in the 'common problems' section in this forum. If I remember correctly, the solution was to use some black 3M tape to cover up the affected area.

[peter]

this is how mine turned out after doing the above steps

[bing98]

Those look great. Thanks again for the tip.