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Thread: Touring Roof Rails

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
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    202

    Default Touring Roof Rails

    Need to get my roof rails off before painting. Anybody know how they come off? I pulled the rubber strips out but no screws there. Roof rail on one side is bubbling anyway and needs replacing or repainting. I have the new headliner ready to install anyway so if the rails mount from underneath it won't be a problem.

    Thanks!

    Paul


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Austin
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    1,087

    Default

    I think you can leave the sunroof panels in and take everything else out. The rear headliner and side pieces.

    Please photo archive this, as I need to do the same.

    ~6 speed~ Rear Fogs ~ Shadowline ~ Tow Package ~ OEMMM///S38B38

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Honolulu
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    Default

    Yup, form the inside, becareful the gasket maybe brittle.


    Vee ave vays of dealing vid your kind...........

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    618

    Default

    I didn't know you could actually remove them, the paint is cracking big time on mine.
    UK 1997 e34 540iA Touring, 1989 535i Sport - now sold, 1998 Mercedes CLK 200 Coupe


  5. #5
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    Dec 2003
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    Austin
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    Default

    What are they made of? Plastic, metal? The paint is a sort of thick polymer based coating, but I imagine, these would need to be severely blasted in order to repaint properly. It would be nice to powder coat them with something really durable.

    I've seen a lot of black bbq paint sprayed on rails that didn't get removed. I think I would rather look at the peeling bubbles until I could do it right.

    Unfortunately, my headliner is perfect, and I hate to disturb it.

    ~6 speed~ Rear Fogs ~ Shadowline ~ Tow Package ~ OEMMM///S38B38

  6. #6
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    Apr 2006
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    Chicago, Il. U.S.A.
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    They are fiberglass I believe, perhaps plastic but definately not metal.
    Given all the potential for disaster removing the headliner and the gasket issue and it's potential for leaks I say leave 'em in place.
    Mine where bubbly too, I sanded and refinished them on the car.
    "The gas pedal wouldn't go to the floor if it weren't meant to be there"

  7. #7
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    Dec 2003
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    Austin
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ross
    They are fiberglass I believe, perhaps plastic but definately not metal.
    Given all the potential for disaster removing the headliner and the gasket issue and it's potential for leaks I say leave 'em in place.
    Mine where bubbly too, I sanded and refinished them on the car.
    How does sanding remove the plasticy paint? It seems that it should all peel off. Heat gun maybe if you razor knife the perimeter before hand?

    ~6 speed~ Rear Fogs ~ Shadowline ~ Tow Package ~ OEMMM///S38B38

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
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    Chicago, Il. U.S.A.
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    Default

    It'll sand off, trust me.
    "The gas pedal wouldn't go to the floor if it weren't meant to be there"

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    202

    Default Thanks for the info guys!

    I've been looking at doing the headliner replacement for a couple of weeks, even had the parts, but not really pushing the install until I have all the info. Afraid mostly of breaking plastic pieces when getting the darn thing out. 15 year old BMW plastic is pretty fragile.

    Paul

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    618

    Default

    Given all the potential for disaster removing the headliner and the gasket issue and it's potential for leaks I say leave 'em in place.
    i'm with you, its so exposed it could open up a world of pain, and my headliner is also perfect and you know the golden rule - if it ain't broke......

    on mine big chunks of the paint has come off in places and it looks like metal underneath, I haven't inspected it closely though, could just be a coating. I think taking extra time masking off and painting in situ could be the answer.
    UK 1997 e34 540iA Touring, 1989 535i Sport - now sold, 1998 Mercedes CLK 200 Coupe


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