Plastic finisher romoval??

[LotusS4S]

There's a "Finisher" which is a 40 cm long plastic that is in place by three pop rivets. It is between the door frame weather stripping, and the rear-side 1/4 windows. Mine is cracked, and I purchased a new one. They are quite inexpensive, but I can't seem to figure out how to remove/install. How do I get to those rivets? Any ideas?

Thanks,

Ed-

'95 S4S

[superdavelotus]

You have to drill them out with small bit. Very easy and only takes about 5 minutes

[EspritFactFile]

Err, actually...

Don't know where you got the idea that the part is inexpensive. It may look like a cheap piece of plastic, but for some bizarre reason it costs a fortune (relatively speaking). Last time I checked it was over $60US.

Also, removing it may not be quite as easy as superdavelotus makes it sound. Yes, you do drill out the rivets, but the part is also held down against the glass by betaseal adhesive. With the age of the part, many have become brittle due to sun exposure and it is almost impossible to remove some of them without tearing or cracking them. Be careful and use a small razor or other blade to separate it from the glass if you want any hope of being able to re-use the part.

Cheers.

[LotusS4S]

THanks Karl. JAE sells them for $23 a piece. Mine has two cracks due to age. I'll try the razor method. Thanks,

Ed-

Err, actually...

Don't know where you got the idea that the part is inexpensive. It may look like a cheap piece of plastic, but for some bizarre reason it costs a fortune (relatively speaking). Last time I checked it was over $60US.

Also, removing it may not be quite as easy as superdavelotus makes it sound. Yes, you do drill out the rivets, but the part is also held down against the glass by betaseal adhesive. With the age of the part, many have become brittle due to sun exposure and it is almost impossible to remove some of them without tearing or cracking them. Be careful and use a small razor or other blade to separate it from the glass if you want any hope of being able to re-use the part.

Cheers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[tje111]

I have thought about replacing my finishers too. I've noticed that mine are both cracked at the rivets, probably to relieve stress caused by the rivets themselves during installation. If the replacement finisherss aren't pre-drilled with rivet holes (I hope they aren't) and are truly only cosmetic, I'd strongly consider leaving out the rivets and just attaching the new ones with Betaseal.

Of course, one could fabricate new finishers in CF too, as Kylie Smith has described on... um, another PHorum.

Regards,

Tom

'89 Turbo

Edited July 5, 2005 by tje111

[Bibs]

I recall reading somewhere that these parts have been replaced with Carbon Fibre copies. Might be a good idea?

[EspritFactFile]

I recall reading somewhere that these parts have been replaced with Carbon Fibre copies. Might be a good idea?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have some of these on my car. Kylie was kind enough to make them for me, Jim Knowles, and Dan Adragna.

[Techspy]

I have some of these on my car. Kylie was kind enough to make them for me, Jim Knowles, and Dan Adragna.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you have a picture with the cf parts installed?

John

94 S4

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