DEFINITIVE How-To on removing b8.5 window trim?

[gamov3r]

Folks, forgive me if this buried somewhere in the depths of the interwebs. I've searched and searched on how to remove the side window and door trim on a B8.5 A5/S5/RS5 and can't find anything definitive. I see lots of speculation and folks talking about, "just plasti dip it" or "wrap it" regarding blacking out the trim. Well, I've tried both and I'm a perfectionist so I want to remove them to do a thorough wrap job. So my questions are:

1. Will it break any tabs if I use a removal tool to pry them all off?
2. If it does break tabs, what are the part #'s to reorder them? And are they stupid $$$?

I've seen posts that talk about removing the glass(???) to get the trim off. All sorts of crazy talk.

I'm thinking it can't be that difficult but I've been proven wrong before

Any clarity on this topic would be much appreciated.

[gamov3r]

78 views and no replies.

Not encouraging - maybe I will be the guinea pig and just pull mine out and see what happens :)

[old guy]

78 views and no replies.

Not encouraging - maybe I will be the guinea pig and just pull mine out and see what happens :)

I'm in the same boat. I wrapped my trim but would like to redo it with the trim removed. I also searched and could not find any useable information. There was a post on A5OC that explained it with pictures but the pics no longer show. I'm a visual person and would prefer to "see" what I need to do rather than just written instructions. There is also a written description in another thread A5OC as follows:

side window can remain installed when removing the roof trim strip.

Take care not to twist or bend roof trim strip.
– Detach door seal from body flange in area of A-pillar and roof trim strip.
– Drill heads off pop rivets, knock out rivet stems and detach roof trim strip.
– Carefully prise roof trim strip out of retaining clips over side window and detach roof trim strip

– To remove, lever sideways out of retaining clips at roof, starting at B-pillar.
– Prise roof trim strip sideways out of retaining clips on side panel.
– Push trim strip downwards out of roof trim strip.
Pop rivet :
9x on roof trim strip



If I find anything better I will let you know.

[A6sport]

78 views and no replies.

Not encouraging - maybe I will be the guinea pig and just pull mine out and see what happens :)

It's not easy without damaging the trim. That is all.

[old guy]

It's not easy without damaging the trim. That is all.

Voice of experience?

[ENV²]

Every single high end shop and body shop I know highly recommends against removing them. If you do you might as well just wrap a brand new set and install those. Consensus is that they will get damaged upon removal.

Sent from a misfiring cylinder

[A6sport]

Yep, exactly!

I bought my matt aluminum trim from BKS for around 1100 shipped from Germany. Had them installed by my body shop, only to have them have to remove them because of the extensive paint work they did. The trim had only been on for a few weeks. The body Tech was able to save 5 of 6 pieces, the one piece around the bottom of the back window cost them what, I don't know but it retails for 240. He said the only reason he was able to save the other 5 pieces was that they were new.

[gamov3r]

Wow - this is really good feedback all. Given this info, I think I'll try wrapping again. $1,100 is way to much to pay for such a simple cosmetic mod.

Thanks for the replies!

[RockJGC]

I'd think any reputable body shop would be able to remove them without damaging them. On my old B8, a local body shop removed all of mine and reinstalled them without any damage whatsoever. My B8.5 came with gloss black trim already ;)

[A6sport]

I'd think any reputable body shop would be able to remove them without damaging them. On my old B8, a local body shop removed all of mine and reinstalled them without any damage whatsoever. My B8.5 came with gloss black trim already ;)

I'd think you are a lucky guy...

[RockJGC]

I'd think you are a lucky guy...

Nah, not lucky. I ordered it that way. I always liked the Black Optics package and I'm not a fan of the bright trim/moldings.

Nothing looks better than the contrast of black trim against white paint, IMO.

[A6sport]

Nah, not lucky. I ordered it that way. I always liked the Black Optics package and I'm not a fan of the bright trim/moldings.

Nothing looks better than the contrast of black trim against white paint, IMO.

I agree.

[a5matt401]

Not sure how much of a difference there is with the window trim from the B8 to B8.5. I had a local body shop remove and paint both sides of the window trim on my B8 for just over 200.00 for labor and paint.