Shadow Line Window Trim

E82MSport · 07-22-2015, 09:59 PM

I know there have been a lot of people unhappy with the condition of the Shadow Line trim around the window openings, so I thought I'd share a quick DIY to make it look new again.

I've been lazy and haven't done this but it will really only take you about 20 minutes to go from this

To this

All you will need is a microfiber towel and some medium cut compound. I used Meguiars Ultra Cut 105 but really any medium cut will work.

I applied a drop of compound to the microfiber towel and used finger pressure and moved in circles to achieve the desired results.

To show the difference I used a tape line.

Might be hard to see the tape line but in this image but you can see the difference.

It's as easy as that.

Hope this was helpful.

Esteban · 07-23-2015, 02:57 AM

That looks really nice! You did a great job! Thanks for sharing.

swagon · 07-23-2015, 06:23 AM

Pretty much what I did as well. Nice job.

z0mghii · 09-13-2015, 02:49 PM

Got all this removed with this:

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Mirro.../dp/B0002SQVX0

mmmusty · 09-14-2015, 08:09 PM

I've tried a few products, and even let the car wash detail guys use their top of the line junk.... to no avail, hopefully this works.

Thank you!

Pyrat 2 · 09-14-2015, 09:31 PM

I'll give this a try. For some reason my passenger rear trim is very bad and the rest is almost perfect. Very annoying as it looks way worse than your 'before' picture.

BimmerTy · 08-08-2019, 08:20 AM

Used the Meguiar's Ultra Cut 105 on my shadowline trim last night - worked like a charm. Went ahead an waxed the trim afterwards to keep it protected.

Sam_M · 08-08-2019, 08:58 AM

Nice, mine looks exactly the same.

Will try and cut it back when I next wash the car!

Thunderguts · 08-08-2019, 12:17 PM

The only downside I see is similar to headlights. I would imagine that there is some kind of protective coating on the trim which is failing from sun damage. You're removing it all with the polishing compound which means it will happen again more frequently now. It's no big deal, but you'll probably need to repolish them every 6 months.

07-22-2015, 09:59 PM	#1
E82MSport First Lieutenant 130 Rep 351 Posts Drives: 08' Crimson 135i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Rochester Hills - MI iTrader: (0)	Shadow Line Window Trim - Restore DIY EASY I know there have been a lot of people unhappy with the condition of the Shadow Line trim around the window openings, so I thought I'd share a quick DIY to make it look new again. I've been lazy and haven't done this but it will really only take you about 20 minutes to go from this To this All you will need is a microfiber towel and some medium cut compound. I used Meguiars Ultra Cut 105 but really any medium cut will work. I applied a drop of compound to the microfiber towel and used finger pressure and moved in circles to achieve the desired results. To show the difference I used a tape line. Might be hard to see the tape line but in this image but you can see the difference. It's as easy as that. Hope this was helpful. __________________ Ohlins Road & Track Coilovers / Apex ARC 8's 245/255-35 MPSS / Wagner Downpipes / Wagner EVOII Intercooler / ER Charge Pipe / Forge DV / PowerFlex RSFB / PowerFlex Differential Bushings / MFactory 3.46 Torsion LSD / MHD Flasher Last edited by E82MSport; 07-22-2015 at 10:08 PM..
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07-23-2015, 02:57 AM	#2
Esteban Major General 51012 Rep 7,235 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	That looks really nice! You did a great job! Thanks for sharing.
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07-23-2015, 06:23 AM	#3
swagon Major General 13754 Rep 8,227 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: . iTrader: (0)	Pretty much what I did as well. Nice job. __________________
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09-13-2015, 02:49 PM	#4
z0mghii Private 10 Rep 53 Posts Drives: E82 135i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Got all this removed with this: http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Mirro.../dp/B0002SQVX0
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09-14-2015, 08:09 PM	#5
mmmusty Private First Class 26 Rep 144 Posts Drives: 2008 alpine white 128i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	I've tried a few products, and even let the car wash detail guys use their top of the line junk.... to no avail, hopefully this works. Thank you!
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09-14-2015, 09:31 PM	#6
Pyrat 2 Colonel 1427 Rep 2,562 Posts Drives: Rapidly from A to B Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chicago 'burbs or TN Smokies iTrader: (3) Garage List 2022 Porsche GT4 [9.64] 2018 Porsche GT3 [9.33] 2007 Z4 M Roadster [8.33] 2020 BMW X1 [10.00]	I'll give this a try. For some reason my passenger rear trim is very bad and the rest is almost perfect. Very annoying as it looks way worse than your 'before' picture. __________________ '07 Z4MR '22 GT4 '18 GT3 '16 GT4, '16 M2, '14 X1, '13 135is, '06 330i, '03 323 Ci, '01 330i, '99 M3 (RIP), '96 318is, some non-BMWs
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08-08-2019, 08:20 AM	#7
BimmerTy ///M 199 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW X5 M50i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: RVA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW X5 M50i [0.00]	Used the Meguiar's Ultra Cut 105 on my shadowline trim last night - worked like a charm. Went ahead an waxed the trim afterwards to keep it protected. __________________ 2021 G05 X5 M50i - Black Sapphire Metallic - 22" M Double Spoke Black 742M Wheels - Continental Premium Contact 6 - Dynamic Handling Package - Driving Assistance Professional - Parking Assistance - Executive Package - Extended Shadowline - Coffee, Extended Merino Leather Upholstery - Bowers & Wilkins - Leather Dashboard - Anthracite Alcantara Headliner - Heated Front Seats W/ Armrests and Heated Rear Seats - BMW Laser Headlights - Glass Controls - Trailer Hitch - XPEL Paint Protection Film - Ceramic Coating[/I]
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08-08-2019, 08:58 AM	#8
Sam_M Tea wot? 210 Rep 271 Posts Drives: 2011 N55 135i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Nice, mine looks exactly the same. Will try and cut it back when I next wash the car!
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08-08-2019, 12:17 PM	#9
Thunderguts Major 849 Rep 1,021 Posts Drives: 2009 128i Sport MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	The only downside I see is similar to headlights. I would imagine that there is some kind of protective coating on the trim which is failing from sun damage. You're removing it all with the polishing compound which means it will happen again more frequently now. It's no big deal, but you'll probably need to repolish them every 6 months.
	Appreciate 0 Quote