About to take hardtop in for re spray. Not sure the garage knows how to remove lining though I'm probably underestimating their skills. I'd like to know how to do it so I can give them pointers. They'll need to remove it to unbolt the spoiler. Can anyone tell me how this is done please.
How do you remove lining from Z4 hardtop?
- Thread starter DMC63
- Start date
markeg said:
That's my guessing too. I'm a bit worried (understatement
) about taking it in for it's respray. I'm laying awake in bed thinkingabout what could possibly go wrong, and I've come up with a lot of 'things'.
The garage it's going to deals with some serious cars, take a look at this link...
https://www.carcare1.co.uk/
But I'm still worried... I'm going to give them the full 'list' of all the things I've thought of..I may need to see a shrink :wink:
Having recently removed my hard top lining and having searched for this very answer myself I thought I'd post for future reference.
The hardtop has those usual BMW plastic screws.
See picture below for what I mean:
These are stupidly annoying to get out, some are tight and require a mixture of pressure on the screw head plus pulling from underneath. Others won't budge and you'll just strip the thread, had to use force to just pull them out (obviously will need replacing). Others just screw out fine.
There are 3 on either side, 5 on the top (windscreen side) and 4 on the bottom (heated rear window side). See the annotated picture below:
Just requires taking these screws out and then pulling the trim off. I would remove the first small piece of trim that sits under the HRW, then take the main part of the trim off. This also gives you access to the rear spoiler which can then be removed (has 4 screws).
The hardtop has those usual BMW plastic screws.
See picture below for what I mean:
These are stupidly annoying to get out, some are tight and require a mixture of pressure on the screw head plus pulling from underneath. Others won't budge and you'll just strip the thread, had to use force to just pull them out (obviously will need replacing). Others just screw out fine.
There are 3 on either side, 5 on the top (windscreen side) and 4 on the bottom (heated rear window side). See the annotated picture below:
Just requires taking these screws out and then pulling the trim off. I would remove the first small piece of trim that sits under the HRW, then take the main part of the trim off. This also gives you access to the rear spoiler which can then be removed (has 4 screws).
markeg said:
No metal framing in the roof? Not sure if you mean some sort of mesh system or possibly some sort of brace? :?
As far as I can tell the whole unit is made of some sort of resin type material. Got a slight chip on one of the edges and it's got a bit of white showing through. Not dissimilar to glass fibre insulated tools we sometimes use at work (when they're worn and showing their age). I removed the trim and you can see the pictures showing the internal of the hardtop. Nothing more inside or inbetween these layers. Although now you mention, it's probably a good idea to add some sound insulation. Only a bit mind.
Excellent write-up kis and I'm sure this will help others too, maybe including myself - I'm thinking about adding extra insulation (2mm adhesive mat) between the top shell and lining for even more of a cosy,quiet feel
I'd expect it to be made of GRP or some other rigid polymer material although I initially thought it was a thin steel panel due to the sheer weight of it.
I'd expect it to be made of GRP or some other rigid polymer material although I initially thought it was a thin steel panel due to the sheer weight of it.
Marlon said:
May well be!
However due to the weight I thought its too light for steel? Unless as Chris said it's only a thin sheet...
Chris_D said:
One of the fasteners nicked its housing in the hardtop as well... this showed that same white resin/glass fibre type material. So that's why I said resin. May well be a predominant thin steel sheet which is moulded with the resin to form the overall shape?
Chris_D said:Excellent write-up kis and I'm sure this will help others too, maybe including myself - I'm thinking about adding extra insulation (2mm adhesive mat) between the top shell and lining for even more of a cosy,quiet feel
Cheer Chris. I was thinking the same myself! I'm rocking the no trim look in the car at the moment! haha
lol hardcore! i bet it's noisy as hell too when driving?kis said:Chris_D said:Excellent write-up kis and I'm sure this will help others too, maybe including myself - I'm thinking about adding extra insulation (2mm adhesive mat) between the top shell and lining for even more of a cosy,quiet feel
Cheer Chris. I was thinking the same myself! I'm rocking the no trim look in the car at the moment! haha
Looking further at your pic with the lining removed it could even be a composite with a central square section of steel. that would make sense in terms of adding some structural integrity/rigidity while retaining sufficient flexibility for a good fit etc.
My mum's MGB hardtop has a big glass/polycarbonate roof section - almost the entire roof space and it's actually more rigid than the same hardtop without the roof window panel - the reason: it's a stiffer material than the grp roof. makes sense.
Last time I saw it on her car I made the fundamental mistake of asking her 'when was the last time you had it off?' her reply: 'oh you'll have to ask your father about that dear.'
priceless.