Roof Rack Removal Using Side Moldings

[70Nova SS]

I removed my faded roof rack and side moldings and this is how I used one to fix the other. The side moldings came off easy with 25 lb test fishing line, use gloves your fingers will thank you CLEAN YOUR FISHING STRING OFTEN TO KEEP FROM SCRATCHING PAINT FROM DEBRI STUCK TO STRING! Left over adhesive will roll off using your finger and use Scratch X to clean up the rest.
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The roof rack came off easy first remove the plastic covers that just pop off, a screw drive might help if stuck. Then slide the center pieces to the front to get them out of the way. Now remove ten torx head screws from side rails, if they spin and don't loosen you can drill the head off and cut flush with the nutsert.
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Now after removing old adhesive from molding, clean with alcohol and replace 3M tape(need at least 20') which you can get from Advance or any other parts store. The side moldings have a slight curve on the front and back I hung the end of the trim over the edge of my counter top then used a good hair dryer to heat the trim and taped 16 oz water bottles(or whatever you can find) to the trim to hold it straight as it cools. Now you can prep the roof with alcohol and lay the trim on the roof to mock up where it will go.
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Once your happy with the location use masking tape to mark where they'll be attached. RTV works great for pluging the holes, while it's still wet peel off the red tape on the adhesive and carefully stick it down, once it's down it's down so make sure it's where you want it or you'll have a hell of a mess I think it came out pretty good for only $40 and a mornings worth of work. Overall not a hard project and changes the look of your suv
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[STLtrailbSS]

Wow nice clean line starting to get that SS clone look. Great Idea!

 

[Me007gold]

Looks good

 

[xxxotiknightz]

Looks good. clean cover up.

 

[TXBlazer]

Excellent Idea!! Turned out Great!!

 

[Sparky]

Note this won't work too well for the older TVs - my 02 for example has "TRAILBLAZER" imprinted on the moldings, and that would look a little funny on the roof

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Well Done. That is very clean and looks better than plugs to me.

 

[07Blazerman]

Nice clean look! Excellent idea!

 

[ItsOnVoy]

Like the others said, very nice!! This is the first time I have seen someone do that and what a great idea! No screws that will show or anything!

 

[Hotness]

Very nicely done, and original

 

[Bailey4200]

Great Idea, im sure a lot of others will follow in doing the same. Wish mine didnt say "Envoy" on them.....

 

[70Nova SS]

Thanks everybody. I've had it on the highway a couple times and guess it's there to stay and seems alittle quiter too.

 

[JerryCurlJuice]

Awesome!! Wish my side molding was white

 

[Regulator]

Great idea for those that have that ability. My Envoy had the chrome centers on the door molding, so this was not an option for me.

 

[bagdvoy]

Nice idea! I can see people looking on Ebay now to find those side moldings

 

[willn513]

I mentioned before on some other site that this looks awesome! Very inventive and resourceful way to mod on the cheap. Nice Job!

 

[Venomhatch]

Note this won't work too well for the older TVs - my 02 for example has "TRAILBLAZER" imprinted on the moldings, and that would look a little funny on the roof

I second this... Mine had the "Trailblazer" recessed in them.

 

[dmanns67]

This is a great idea. I ran across this thread on the OS a week before I was removing the roof rack and side molding on my TB, so I decided to give it a try.

It may sound weird to use side molding on the roof, but if you are not going to take your TB to a body shop to fill the holes and paint the roof, this is the next best option IMO.