Removing/replacing rubber fender trim

[QX22s]

99.5 Qx4

The rubber trim between the body and fenders is dried out and looks like crap. I went over it with touchup paint which made it look better...but still just looks like a crappy touch up job on crappy dry trim(had to paint it on the car obviously) Because the trim is so dried out..it has like an alligator skin or "hammered" appearance.

Anyone have or know if you can replace the trim?? At least if it can be removed and than without to much difficulty put back on. If so, i may just pull it off..than paint it and put it back on. Painting it on the car is too much of a hastle. I have a 2oz bottle of the touch up paint. Could get more if needed.

I found this http://www.partstrain.com/Shop...i/qx4

but i dont know if it would match the existing oem trim. The picture obviously is not the exact product.

thanks

[miamiheat3332]

yeah im wondering if there is any cheap replacement out there, dealer probably charges too much.

[QX22s]

also...is it possible to sand rubber. Would i be able to gently sand the trim smooth again?? If i could sand out the "alligator skin"/bumby look to it..i may be able to redo it with a better touch up job.

[miamiheat3332]

youd have to tape up all around it so you dont scratch the paint, but i dont reccomdend it, i tried it a little, it worked, now like what 1 month later it looks s***ter than before on the small part i tried, lol. same thing with nail polish remover which worked on the spot i tried it, but still looks worse now after like 1 month

[QX22s]

well i repainted one of the trims with the touch up and honestly it looks alot better. But i am OCD as hell and realized that if i buy the touch up in a spray can the metallic flakes will lay alot better . So i am going to redo it by spraying instead of brushing. I was hoping that i could sand down the trim a bit to smooth the texture. I will be taping everything off real well.

I assume if you DIDNT repaint it and just sanded it that it would make it look worse, but being that i AM painting it i think it will help.

So you were able to sand it smooth? what grit sand paper were you using? other option is to just spray a couple coats to try and build the paint up a bit which could help.