1998 S70 top trim Topic is solved

tommylg · Post by **tommylg** » 29 May 2021, 16:53

As you can see in the image, the top trim is in terrible shape.
My search tells me new trim is $95 per side.
I am not going that route and here are my thoughts: remove the rubber, sand the aluminum, prime, and paint either matte black or source body color.
All thoughts/experiences appreciated.
Thanks much,
Tommy

Post by **abscate** » 30 May 2021, 03:42

Are you sure your source even has the trim? I thought it went obsolete some time back, but maybe that was just the luggage rack strip.

You need a strategy fir removing old , sticky material. Maybe MEK or other stripper?

Post by **jreed** » 30 May 2021, 06:31

I had good luck slicing off the loose bits of the rubber layer (be careful not to cut into the rubber on the edges), sanding the aluminum underneath, cleaning and then painting the metal with a mixture of four parts flat black and one part gloss black Rustoleum oil-based paint. That has held up very well and looks similar to the original rubber cover.

850oldschool · Post by **850oldschool** » 30 May 2021, 06:55

Jreed, did you use the special Rustoleum primer for aluminum and galvanized?

markone · Post by **markone** » 30 May 2021, 07:16

As the roof paint of my black ‘97 850 is deeply crazed, I have been investigating a vinyl wrap solution. Gloss black wrap on the roof panel, matte finish vinyl on the top trim strips.

I would not consider this on a show car. But Blackie is a warhorse daily driver.

Post by **jreed** » 30 May 2021, 08:18

I didn't use a primer. I sanded it down with 120 grit or 180 grit sandpaper and wiped the surface down with a cloth soaked in mineral spirits to get all the grit and any leftover grease, dirt or oil off. Then I brushed on a mixture of the final finish. I haven't observed any peeling or adhesion problems, so at least in my case not using a primer doesn't seem to have hurt.

Post by **Eddystone** » 02 Jun 2021, 05:09

Regarding primer, primer is always a good idea for aluminum, however 180 grit sandpaper leaves quite a bit for the paint to grab onto. I have had older British cars with boots and bonnets and sometimes even doors made from aluminum, and it would be sheer folly not to use a primer on such a large, smooth body panel, and it's usually not just any old gray primer. For a little trim strip sanded with 180 grit, I wouldn't expect any problems.

There are several spray-on rubber products people have said good things about. Fortunately, if you need to re-do these strips, they are easy to get on and off the car.

(In a side note, my Firefox browser reports a US-English spellchecker, but it keeps asking for ALUMINIUM. Need to look into that and maybe kick the tyres whilst I prise a nut anticlockwise employing a spanner.)

tommylg · Post by **tommylg** » 02 Jun 2021, 05:41

As a follow-up, looking at the image in the original post, will the outside thin rubber strip remain or does it all come off as one?
Thanks,
Tommy

Post by **abscate** » 02 Jun 2021, 12:04

ALuminium...noun ...Aluminum that has Graduated from college

850oldschool · Post by **850oldschool** » 02 Jun 2021, 14:55

Aluminum has many different names. I worked with a guy from Kansas for many years who unfailingly said "alumium". I've always wondered if that's the pronunciation they use at the various aerospace factories in Wichita.

Do you guys who've done this also paint the attached thin rubber strips?