Technical Manky B-pillar renewal

[d0mokun]

Hi everyone,

Apologies if this is an obvious one but I have done some serious Googling and scoured many a forum, only to find brief mentions but no real advice.

Our A500 has some really manky peeling B-pillar trims and I want to reskin them. Question is, do they just pop off or is there a more technical way of removing them?

Thanks
Dan.

 

[typecastboy]

They are held on by two torx screws. You have to move the door rubbers out of the way to get to them. Fiddly but once the two screws are out the just pull off. Fiddly to get back in too.

 

[d0mokun]

They are held on by two torx screws. You have to move the door rubbers out of the way to get to them. Fiddly but once the two screws are out the just pull off. Fiddly to get back in too.

Brilliant, perfect- thank you. I'd have likely missed things under the rubber and hulked the buggers out.

Dan.

 

[typecastboy]

Yes, I nearly did that once. It was only when I was taking the smashed up door apart for parts that I took the door rubbers completely out and saw the screws. Make sure you don't drop them into the window cavity in the door. They are a bugger to get out if you do. I now stick a length of masking tape across the aperture in case they drop.

 

[d0mokun]

Ah OK, thanks for the tip. I have to take the door card off also to tighten a rattly regulator. I really love the Abarth but the hard suspension definitely takes its toll on parts.

With regard to the seals, am I looking at the right areas (as per the photos I've attached)? Is there a magic to getting them off other than just prying them free?

Thanks a million.

 

[typecastboy]

No you only need to pull out the one nearest the glass. I’ll take a picture on my car and take pic of a set taken out so you can see where the screws are. You don’t have to take any rubbers off completely.

 

[d0mokun]

That would be fantastic, thanks! I look forward to seeing images!

 

[typecastboy]

This is the passenger side. I’m pointing to the rubber you have to move out of the way. Just wind the window down and pull it up out of the way to reveal the screws. You can see the 3 screw holes in the piece I’m holding up. Torx screws I think.

 

[d0mokun]

Magical, thank you! That helps a tonne.

Time to brave the weather and heave those things out.

 

[John202020]

Wonder just what happened to them even our 10 year old cars nothing like that

 

[d0mokun]

This one is a 59 plate, so just touching 10 years old now.

I have a sneaking suspicion someone previously used something like an alloy wheel cleaner on them, or at least something a little more hardcore than soap and water.

I've certainly read online about the finish peeling on the trims but never beginning to corrode, though I guess if they are left for long enough that'll happen!

Dan.

 

[typecastboy]

I don’t like the Matt finish ones, much prefer the gloss.

 

[d0mokun]

I don’t like the Matt finish ones, much prefer the gloss.

Exactly how we're going with it, albeit restoring the current ones with a gloss finish!

 

[d0mokun]

Now the next golden question.. with the window down and the trim removed, I can't raise the window can I?

Edit- panic over. The window just slipped on the regulator guide or whatever it is. I removed the inner card and put it back on, now it raises perfectly even without the trim on the outside.

I've taken this moment to tighten the rattly regulator bolt and fit some sound matting!