Would you eliminate the black portion at the top of the doors? If you kept the black would you use "black tape decal" I think this stuff is tape or have it painted black? I am also not fond of the rubber moulding on the bottom that never quite sticks.The only problem there that I see is removing the piece that wraps around the rear 1/4 panel and under the back of the car.Just wondering how you BB think.

Remove the black tape. It's hardly necessary, and Volvo only put it on certain trim levels. I doubt it is intended to reduce glare.

Regarding the lower door trim, some people have removed it, and I think the car looks a LOT better without it. But you have holes under the trim. If you want to remove it, you'll have to fill the holes somehow. If you could find a talented welder, I bet you could get small pieces of steel tacked on as backing plates, then fill the remaining depressions with a little Bondo. I'm not a fan of Bondo, but in this case it would probably work just fine.

We want pictures when you're done!

I just had my '86 repainted and had the painter sand off the tape and go with the new body color. It looks great. I also had him paint the outer frames of the doors along with the mirrors. My original color was dark gray metallic and I went with the dark gray of the new 2009 S60. It was a very close match and gave the car a "new" look. Having the mirrors and door frames done made the car look totally different. I was very pleased with the results.
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'86 sedan with 416,000 miles on the original engine and automatic transmission

Hey this is rude but how much did you pay to have your car painted.New york prices are high,how is it in Fl.

Did you remove the bottom rubber on the doors or just had it masked off?

Sounds like your car turned out great.I've thought about having the mirrors painted like the "classic 240".Never thought about the door frames.Yes a pic is in order.

Sounds like your car turned out great.I've thought about having the mirrors painted like the "classic 240".Never thought about the door frames.Yes a pic is in order.

Post a picture of the results!

A paint job is in my future and I would love to see the change in the look when you update the color of the window frames and mirror.

I was going to use matte black, but now I am intrigued.

Regards,

Paul

I'd leave the black. Like most other stuff on these cars, it's functional: reduces glare/reflections onto the windows.

I never knew that the black served a function.Just thought it was a styling que.

I would remove it, and I have in the past. If one wanted to retain the black stripe, then it should be painted as a second step base, and then sealed with the clear top coat, assuming you are doing a two stage base coat clear coat for metallics.

how about removing the rubber trim and swedish masking tape and blackened stainless steel from one side only,that would be a riot.

I were to repaint my car right now...

I would not use any tape, only paint. Like the no upper stripe look so I would leave it off. All new clips would be installed under the trim before reinstalling. That will solve the issue with the trim not wanting to stay on. Clips are cheap even from the dealer, but can also get them from the internet dealers. I have read where folks were playing with the idea of leaving the trim off and filling up the holes. Maybe someone can post a pict of how that looks.

Inga was missing all sorts of trim at one time. She now has a full set, installed with all new clips. The hardest thing to find was the smallest section of trim, the one under the big plastic headlight and wraps around the driver’s side fender. The Volvo dealer "Only" wanted something like $150 for it. Think the PUP one was $10.00 and it did take a while to find one. Of course I see them all the time now.

Good Luck,

Paul