Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 06:53 am, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
I've taken mine off, it was some years ago now, when car arrived from Japan the "B pillar cover" was flakey and horrible looking, so it was resprayed in a metallic graphite colour. From memory, it's mainly held on with (very strong) double-sided tape, which required one edge to be lifted, and the tape sliced gradually with a knife. It obviously becomes easier as more tape is cut. I don't recall any bolts or nuts, and I certainly didn't take any inner covers off (have never taken the inner B pillar trim off).
After painting, it was refitted using some good quality double-sided tape the panelbeater supplied. Hasn't budged in 6 years.
This could have gone in one of the topics as it's Soarer-related.
Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 08:26 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
I need to do something about mine - both sides the clear coat is going cloudy. Anyone who has done one recently and can confirm Mike's memories, please let me know.
Monday, February 20, 2012 - 07:15 am, by: Gary Rollason(Garyr)
X2 for Adams'comment. It goes all the way around the window. I needed to remove the door card, upper interior window surround, and the wing mirror needs to come off. And have a vague memory of having to loosen the window runner as well, but not sure on that. I'll have a look this arv, I may have one I can take a pic of.
Monday, February 20, 2012 - 08:43 am, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
I just had another look at mine- the cover is mounted to the door, not the B pillar, and the area behind the cover is bare of trim. There are two black covers over screw holes, with (it's coming back to me now!) two tiny nuts to take off- possibly 8mm (unless the nuts are on the other side "captive" and it's a screw head under the cover- I doubt even a small socket would fit in the hole).
So there are two small screws/bolts to undo after lifting the screw hole covers/plugs (don't lose them, the door would look ugly without them), plus the double-sided tape. Obviously, the screws have to come first, then gently lift the cover, and slice any tape you see, the slicing will become easier as you proceed.
After repainting (having removed the remains of the old tape from door and cover) reapply tape- I've used "mounting tape" from hardware store for other jobs- would be as good for this one as mirrors etc although not sure of its suitability for "outdoor" use. This tape is available in various widths, for this application the wider the better as it's all hidden anyway.
It always pays to refresh one's memory with a look at an actual car!
Monday, February 20, 2012 - 08:54 am, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
My "B pillar cover" was quite shiny, so it was showing chrome-like bits under the paint as the black flaked off. As what you're repainting is chrome- or nickel-plated (presumably to prevent rust) it requires careful preparation for repainting, from memory (fading, obviously, I'm nearly "really old") the painter on Norfolk Is used a special primer. It was six years ago!
Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 10:56 am, by: Gary Rollason(Garyr)
Found it. This is off the passenger side. First pic is outer, second is inner view. There are 2 small screws behind the plugs you can see when you open the door. There are also 5 nuts to be removed from behind the upper window trim. There is also a window seal running down both sides so you need to loosen the window runners in the door itself. The wing mirror needs to come off, and I think the speaker box needs to come off too. Not difficult, just fiddly.