body modification

[Matthieu]

OK everyone. I know it sound extra or maybe dumb but my aunt just past by and parked just beside my car and I was comparing looks . is there anyway to remove the weather gutter (chrome) above the doors. If it was removed the car would look more sleek like a 850 or newer model. any pictures. It may look ugly. any input.
thanks
Matt
1989 740gl wagon

[nothing but turbo]

If it was removed the car would look more sleek like a 850 or newer model

do ya mean the (honda-style) "this-car-is-almost-all-made-of-plastic" look?
...and this is just my opinion...

OK everyone. I know it sound extra or maybe dumb but my aunt just past by and parked just beside my car and I was comparing looks . is there anyway to remove the weather gutter (chrome) above the doors. If it was removed the car would look more sleek like a 850 or newer model. any pictures. It may look ugly. any input.
thanks
Matt
1989 740gl wagon

Matt, I considered removing the rain gutters completely, but decided against it in the end. However, I did remove the chrome to "de-accent" the gutters. THere is a gap in the metal rail at the B-pillar that I had welded closed and sanded smooth. You can see many pictures on my website in my sig. Here is one picture:
http://simon.dodd.home.comcast.net/volv8/finished/simon/144-4461_IMG_s.JPG
take care,
simon

[Pennybridge Pioneer]

simon, how did you remove the chrome from the a-pillars? they're riveted on! and don't it look silly underneath? just that awkward 'thing' of metal?

[Matthieu]

thats a bad ass volvo

[Captain Bondo]

you can just pry the chrome plated sheetmetal stuff off of the raingutter- at least on my 240 it was as such. Looked much better. I am also in the camp that thinks that smooth, clean, and uncluttered- even if it mean it looks like plastic, is much nicer than random dented up "pimp" chrome everywhere.

And also I moved this to showroom- this is about styling- so it belongs in the styling forum. :wink:

[Matthieu]

I hate the chrome
And I hate that barn wendys picture. just kidding I am tired of the manager as he talk to the worker like we are **** or the kids or somthing
thanks for the help
Matt

[The Aspirator]

Paint it up.

http://forums.turbobricks.com/viewtopic.php?t=12686
http://forums.turbobricks.com/viewtopic.php?t=11713

simon, how did you remove the chrome from the a-pillars? they're riveted on! and don't it look silly underneath? just that awkward 'thing' of metal?

The A pillar piece of chrome is riveted in 4-5 places. A small drill bit will drill out the rivets easy enough. The rest of the chrome is in two pieces that slide off of the gutter rail. I had the gap between the front/rear doors welded up and the front and the rear of the rail smoothed out, before painting the car. It doesn't look obtrusive. I COULD have ground down the rail, but i have a Yak rack for my bikes that I still want to use. :-)

take care,
simon

Paint it up.

I would recommend against painting the chrome unless it is your only choice. To get a long lasting paint job on chrome, you have to rough it up and then put on a very thin layer of paint. Otherwise, it will start chipping. :eek: BUT, it can be done... it just isn't the easiest to get a long lasting finish.

take care,
simon

[dl242gt]

One of the nice things about having the drip rail is that it helps prevent
your doors from freezing closed in the Winter. I agree the chrome looks
cheesy. Just remove the chrome and do it up the way Simon did on his car.

The bad thing about the modern designs without the rail are that when your doors freeze shut and you force the issue. It rips the door seal.

Happy rolling,

[Matthieu]

I might do what simon did but might even copy the whole look.
thanks
Matt