My '95 850 was handed down to my 16 year old last August and therefore has spent the last 8 months of days and nights out in the driveway, after 11 years of being a garage queen.

Now I see cracks developing on the black trim strips that run the length of the roof panel (from windshield to trunk), with one spot where the black material has come off exposing the foam-like core. I think it's become very brittle and may not last through summer.

Any thoughts on a treatment I can put on that might restore some suppleness to the trim and halt further cracking?

thx

Doug
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'94 945t; '95 854 base; '05 S80 2.5T

This is another of those classic 850 problems.

I noticed cracks and peelings on the strips of 1996 850 three years ago. I called up my local Volvo parts dealer who quoted me $140 per strip (that is $280 for two). I then bought some electrical tape for $3 and covered both sides. It looks fine. The tape dries out every 6-12 months due to weathering and must be replaced. It sure beats being robbed by Volvo parts.

Dan

Cleaned stainless looks pretty good on our silver beige car.

Same thing with our old '94. We took them off, used paint remover and then spry painted them a nice temp. resistant black. They looked very nice. Just be careful when you remove them...they do bend.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

One of our 850s has done the same, I thought that there was stainless steel underneath.

I have seen postings about polishing it, painting it, and running black tape over it.
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'96 855R,'64 PV544, '67 P1800, '95 855, '95 854, the first three are mine, heh, heh, 405,000 miles put on 8 bricks

This happened to our 94 wagon. It was bad beyond repair so we just cleaned it off, polished it with some scotch-brite and it stays a nice aluminum color. Granted, it isn't black, but looks good. Others have removed the trim and repainted etc.

dick

Or you could buy new ones from the dealer for $250.00+ apiece!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I say paint the buggers.

Mark

I know a guy who used blk electrical tape. Silly but it looks pretty good. Clean the moulding real good so it sticks and trim it with a razor. Cost $1.00.

I removed the plastic center covering by carefully cutting off what would not easily break off, scoring it and it seems to break away. Basically, the plastic does not have good UV resistance. Then, I used a paint I bought from Eastwood called Rust Encapsulator. It has UV resistance added, I chose a satin black, and carefully painted the exposed alum trim with a small hobby brush - easier to control. It looks very good so far, after about a year, with a couple touch ups, but they were small spots. It has survived a Michigan winter, and it sits out all the time. Since the trim was in good shape otherwise, I didn't feel like replacing it with the same defective design, unless Volvo made a change in the material, which I doubt, especially as its out of current production. Maybe the new V70 2001-on has a better plastic.

Your best option is to go to a salvage yard and find a decent used set. I got a set in excellent condition for about $60 about a year ago.