DIY: BMW E39 Front & Rear Glass Trim Replacement

Difficulty Level

Tools/Supplies Needed:

• tape
• pliers
• nylon trim tool
• soap and water in a spray bottle
• vacuum cleaner
• wax
• microfiber cloth

Procedure:

• new trim can be purchased from a variety of sources such as the dealer, online, or possible your local auto parts supplier
• first start by washing your vehicle to remove any dirt or debris which could scratch the paint
• using a nylon trim tool, push along the edge of the trim on the glass side popping it loose
• start by pulling up on the corner of the trim in order to remove it on the sides
• for the roof, apply some tape to the one side, then push the trim away from the glass and using the pair of pliers pull the edge up
• now remove the rest using your hands
• vacuum up any loose rubber that fell off the old trim during the removal process
• next wash the surrounding area, cleaning any dirt build up that can cause any drainage or rust issues
• allow it to dry and apply a wax coating to protect the area
• spray down the groove with a soapy water mix, but I don't recommend dish soap as it is known to dry out rubber
• start with the bottom trim first if you are working with the rear window, the front window does not have a lower trim piece
• ensure that it is centered with the glass
• push it into the groove and it will slip into place
• next installing trim that goes around the sides and top
• push in the top portion first, ensure it is centered up on the glass
• then push the trim in along the sides
• once pushed into place by hand, use the nylon trim tool to push it onto the glass to ensure it's seated into place
• then rinse the vehicle off to remove any soap residue
• allow the vehicle to sit in the sun while will soften up the adhesive and allow it to bond to the glass

Video tutorial on how to replace the front or rear window trim on a BMW E39. The window trim is known to crack and deteriorate over time which can look unappealing and also jeopardize the durability surrounding paint or glass edge. If your glass has been replaced in the past, most likely you can't use the procedure and you will need to have the glass removed and reinstalled with the new trim. This particular tutorial was done on a 1997 BMW 540i sedan.