Rob

Subject: RE: [M5] Convert to Shadlowline?

Ready for the BIG secret? ZINC CHROMATE,or you can use SELF ETCHING PRIMER.
Start by pulling off the rear trim around the quarter windows, BE CAREFUL it
slides into the drip moulding at the top Pull these pieces out from the car
(straight out towards you). Then Pull off the drip moulding (you will break
all of the clips on the drip moulding, Don't worry you can get them at the
dealer for about .30 each). To get this off you must PULL THE BOTTOM UP (
like rolling it up) Just don't bend the trim. Remove the mirrors THEN get
the trim off the front doors. The door trims all are pulled straight up,
towards the ceiling (again, DO NOT BEND IT !!!) Sand all the pieces with
600 grit sand paper. Take your time, preparation is everything in this job.
Then coat it with either zinc-chromate or self-etching primer. Then
paint. I used a TRIM PAINT in satin black and am very happy with the
results. I have not had any chipping at all. When you re-install the drip
moulding MAKE SURE YOU MARK WHERE YOUR CLIPS WERE, YOU WANT THEM RIGHT BACK
WHERE THEY WERE. Install the drip moulding FIRST, start at the hood and
work backwards.

If I could credit any one thing to the durability of the job, it would be
the prep work. Take your time, the results are really worth the effort.

As for the interior pieces, I haven't done them yet because I haven't found
a way to re-attach them once they have been removed.

If anyone has any other questions, E-mail me.

Rob

--robert