OEM Q7 S-Line Fender Trim Removal...

[iconoclast]

Anyone on here remove theirs? I am interested in removing mine, they're held on by double-faced tape and I am guessing removal process would be similar to removing badges but wanted to see if anyone on here tackled this project before.

[zerokiller698]

You will want to use a heat gun. Get the glue on it nice and warm so it pulls off without damaging paint.

[iconoclast]

Do not attempt to remove your S-Line trim if it came installed from the factory.
The factory uses a combination of epoxy and double faced tape.
You will not be able to get the epoxy off without damaging the paint.
End result is I will most likely have the trim painted in the coming weeks.





^These black tabs are rock hard, solid epoxy or plasti-weld. There is no way I could remove these tabs without risking painting damage. At least none that I know of. If anyone has any ideas please share.

[bigoltater]

Do not attempt to remove your S-Line trim if it came installed from the factory.
The factory uses a combination of epoxy and double faced tape.
You will not be able to get the epoxy off without damaging the paint.
End result is I will most likely have the trim painted in the coming weeks.





^These black tabs are rock hard, solid epoxy or plasti-weld. There is no way I could remove these tabs without risking painting damage. At least none that I know of. If anyone has any ideas please share.

Just curious why remove them?

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[Gavin0478]

That looks a pain. I cant see anything on parts base and i was looking at fitting mine with a V12kit so would need these off too.

[rxs1407]

Did u manage to get the trims off with damaging them? Would some heat help with the expoxy?

[iconoclast]

That looks a pain. I cant see anything on parts base and i was looking at fitting mine with a V12kit so would need these off too.

if you're going to go with the V12 body bits can grind down the epoxy before they prep the panels for the new flares.

Did u manage to get the trims off with damaging them? Would some heat help with the expoxy?

tried with blow dryer and heat gun and i didn't want to leave it on one area too long to avoid discoloring the clear. the trim was easily removed with a plastic trim tool and slowly prying up as the adhesive warmed. if you're familiar with surf boards those black blobs are as hard as the resin used to repair surfboards. i have no idea how one would remove them without damaging the paint. considering my vehicle only has 2k miles on it i am not interested in painting fenders, bumpers and quarters just to remove trim. the next step would be paint the trim or just leave it black and disregard this idea entirely.

[rxs1407]

Years ago i used fishing line and was able to cut through some hard glue that was holding trim on... Not sure it would work on this hard epoxy...

[iconoclast]

yep, i used to use that when removing badges on older vehicles. this is completely solid. if you pick at it with your finger it breaks chips of in flakes. if you got down to the paint it would most likely remove the paint with it if you were to pick it off.

[zerokiller698]

Sounds like they did not want that to come off. Was not expecting the epoxy

[iconoclast]

same here. i thought double faced tape and that's it but leave it to audi to over-complicate a simple process.

[Gavin0478]

Google said either heat or freeze it perhaps with some lighter gas and it should chip off as heat will burn paint as will thinners.

[iconoclast]

okay so who is going to give it a shot?
every other link i read said use acetone if it is on glass but acetone will damage the paint instantly.

[Gavin0478]

I would not acetone as it will kill the paint before the epoxy.
I was trying to find the resin on partbase but when you google all the part numbers non come up as an adhesive used externally.
Perhaps direct heat like a soldering iron or a cheese wire may work.

[iconoclast]

i am not going to play around with it or experiment... i will either leave it alone or i will paint the trim.

[Dsm2925]

My flares are discolored and have some white on them from previous waxing the paint. I saw email has has the complete 10 piece set for $150 . I was considering removing my old ones and buying those new ones on eBay. The new ones are held with double sided tape but now after reading this post I'm scared. I might just buy some spray paint and spray them black on the Q. Obviously carefully protecting the paint of the car.

[iconoclast]

spray paint? please do not do that. the color code for the fender trim is L3FZ. if you're not going to paint it the oem color then at least go with body color to match.

[Oligarchy]

same here. i thought double faced tape and that's it but leave it to audi to over-complicate a simple process.

1+

[iconoclast]

a little update... body shop said only way to remove this resin was with sanding and repainting. they said if you're going to do anything the cost-effective way would be just to paint the oem trim instead of removing it.

[bigoltater]

a little update... body shop said only way to remove this resin was with sanding and repainting. they said if you're going to do anything the cost-effective way would be just to paint the oem trim instead of removing it.

What happened to your trim for you want remove it? Did you just not like it? Also did you ever get your steering column to work with the memory seats?

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