Restoration Experts: Need help identifying supplier or part name

[InnerBlueSkies]

I pulled my shadowline trim off my 2008 to replace some clips and unfortunately the rubber gasket that runs along to trim was dry rotted. Some was stuck onto the car. Its similar to double sided molding tape but ultra fine.

I'd hate to have to buy an entire new piece and would like to attempt to restore. I debated just installing the clips and putting it back on the vehicle but these seals likely keep water flowing through the gutter and off the door seals.

I know this is a long shot but does anybody on the board know what this is called or where I can go to find this tape?

[InnerBlueSkies]

This is the piece, it runs the entire line of the trim. If anybody has any ideas Id be extremely grateful, the trim alone is $260

[r8ders]

You can possibly try 3M double sided tape
https://www.autozone.com/sealants-gl...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[InnerBlueSkies]

This is a possibility

[InnerBlueSkies]

Seems more relevant, need about 1 to 2mm width and height

[InnerBlueSkies]

Confirmed through measuring I'm looking for width 2mm by 1mm height

Check out this cool little trick I used to find the measurements

[InnerBlueSkies]

Looks like this is my best bet, if anybody has any other ideas feel free to shoot them my way.

[InnerBlueSkies]

So the plan is the wait for the space age VHB tape to arrive. Meanwhile, I'll remove the old tape and prep the surface. Just an FYI, in retrospect, I would have left it with the broken clips. The new pieces are $600 plus, more than 5% the value of the vehicle. Purchase on the secondary market is not possible given I'd be just buying a similarly weathered piece.

If this restoration comes out well, I'll be better off. Below are pictures of the dirt and grime which was under the shadowline trim. I would imagine this would of been a big deal rust-wise if I didn't live in Texas. Perhaps, and very likely, the Texas heat is the culprit. Keep in mind, this is a garaged vehicle with 80k.

[InnerBlueSkies]

This image shows the line the two gaskets take along the entire trim. Its functions is two fold, minimize rattle and more importantly keep water from seeping behind the trim onto the weather stripping on out doors.

[InnerBlueSkies]

All of the adhesive has been cleaned off. Did it while watching the game, took a while due to not wanting to use razor or sand paper. Softened it up with Gummi-Pflege, used a trim tool and alcohol with microfiber.

[InnerBlueSkies]

Anchors on the rear of trim epoxied, these are common and the original source of failure.

Just waiting on adhesive strips.

[aggieshan]

I happened to look into this problem on my e92. The story is this. I bought this e92 M3 2013 in Dec. The car came with a full service history including replacing both side shadowline trims at dealership due to paint bubbling issue in 2017. So these two pieces are in great condition now. However, the car has lots of wind noise at highway speed. Initially, i thought it is from door seal gasket and especially as a coupe. I replaced the gasket on driver side but I can still hear wind noise coming from A pillar. So I use masking tape to seal gap at shadowline trim piece. It seems to kill most of the wind noise.

After comparing to another e92 couple, I can see that there is no seal on this new piece (seal on the outside). There are gaskets facing inside.

Here is the seal for couple.

E92 M3 trims look for number 5:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_6088

Seal part:
https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/51767167601/

So far, I have not found any replacement DIY. Based on its look, it is not glue type. However, for e90, it looks there is no separate seals. Just one piece.

Not the exact info you are looking for but it is related.

[InnerBlueSkies]

Originally Posted by aggieshan

I happened to look into this problem on my e92. The story is this. I bought this e92 M3 2013 in Dec. The car came with a full service history including replacing both side shadowline trims at dealership due to paint bubbling issue in 2017. So these two pieces are in great condition now. However, the car has lots of wind noise at highway speed. Initially, i thought it is from door seal gasket and especially as a coupe. I replaced the gasket on driver side but I can still hear wind noise coming from A pillar. So I use masking tape to seal gap at shadowline trim piece. It seems to kill most of the wind noise.

After comparing to another e92 couple, I can see that there is no seal on this new piece (seal on the outside). There are gaskets facing inside.

Here is the seal for couple.

E92 M3 trims look for number 5:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_6088

Seal part:
https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/51767167601/

So far, I have not found any replacement DIY. Based on its look, it is not glue type. However, for e90, it looks there is no separate seals. Just one piece.

Not the exact info you are looking for but it is related.

Thanks for taking the time to share that information. That piece appears to be E92 specific. Below is a close-up to the gasket (for lack of a better word) I was trying to find. I settled on getting this tape from 3M, only discernable difference is it is double sided. It's all going to come down to whether I receive the correct 2mm width from the EBay vendor. I'll keep you updated.

[aggieshan]

Nice find. It should work in your case.

[InnerBlueSkies]

Just an update, trim is held by what are called "reveal" clips, avoid trying to save a buck or two by going OE or through a shop on ebay. The clips I picked up didn't fit and they looked identical to the originals. Driver's side is on, I'll come back with photos after I finish the passengers.

[InnerBlueSkies]

This project is complete. Message me for details. You need 4991 1/8 inch backing from Amazon to restore molding. You will need epoxy to reset some of the tabs on the trim. There was a significant amount of trial and error, actually went through three different types of VHB 3M taping. Do NOT cheap out and buy OE tabs, they don't fit....BMW only in this case. About 95% satisfied with outcome....can make it 100% but don't want to risk breaking the trim (it has been on/off car 5-6 times)

[aggieshan]

Nice. Another issue came to my mind is door seal squeaking sound when driving on uneven surface. It is very common to BMWs. I have an E90 328i and E39 540. Both of them had this problem. The door seal(felt part) rubs again roof frame(painted part). This is what I learned from e39 forum. I bought a 3M tape which is a BMW equivalent tape. Sticking the tape on the roof frame eliminates the rubbing sound.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1210175

3m 4235 tape

[InnerBlueSkies]

Originally Posted by aggieshan

Nice. Another issue came to my mind is door seal squeaking sound when driving on uneven surface. It is very common to BMWs. I have an E90 328i and E39 540. Both of them had this problem. The door seal(felt part) rubs again roof frame(painted part). This is what I learned from e39 forum. I bought a 3M tape which is a BMW equivalent tape. Sticking the tape on the roof frame eliminates the rubbing sound.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1210175

3m 4235 tape

I appreciate your interest in this thread and your comments. I'm happy to hear the 3M tape resolved your squeaking issue.

Are you still having noise issues related to the shadowline trim up front. I'm hesitant to tell you to do anything about it out of fear of making the situation worse In my case I had no option because the rear part was hanging on by a thread.

[aggieshan]

Originally Posted by InnerBlueSkies

I appreciate your interest in this thread and your comments. I'm happy to hear the 3M tape resolved your squeaking issue.

Are you still having noise issues related to the shadowline trim up front. I'm hesitant to tell you to do anything about it out of fear of making the situation worse In my case I had no option because the rear part was hanging on by a thread.

My e92 M3 shadowline trim noise has been fixed. It was missing a $15 seal. The installation was straightforward but it took some effort to really set the seal with door seal together as factory setting.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by aggieshan

Nice. Another issue came to my mind is door seal squeaking sound when driving on uneven surface. It is very common to BMWs. I have an E90 328i and E39 540. Both of them had this problem. The door seal(felt part) rubs again roof frame(painted part). This is what I learned from e39 forum. I bought a 3M tape which is a BMW equivalent tape. Sticking the tape on the roof frame eliminates the rubbing sound.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1210175

3m 4235 tape

An easy alternative to taping is to brush off and apply an ever so light grease layer on the felt every 6 month or so. Worked nicely for me through several BMWs now. Using lip balm myself.