What does it mean to "Knauberize" your car?
It means to remove the door ding guards from the doors of your car.
(there are no holes or anything underneath)
Why is it called "Knauberize"?
It is named after the first CEGer to remove his door ding guards - Robert Knauber of the Capitol CEG.
Before removing the door ding guards, please note the following problems reported:
- clearcoat issues -
Some CEGers have removed their door ding guards to find that there is no clearcoat underneath. Once the door ding guard was removed, the lack of clearcoat resulted in a "ridge" of clearcoat - often referred to as "racing stripe" that looks unappealing.
This occurs typically for one of two reasons:
1. During production, the door ding guards were applied before the clearcoat was applied to the car.
2. The door(s) had to be repainted for whatever reason, and the bodyshop applied cleacoat over the door ding guards.
- paint fade -
If your car is any combination of the following:
1. dark color
2. older
3. spent a lot of time in the sun
4. does not get waxed often, if at all
Due to any combination of the above factors, the paint underneath the door ding guards may be slightly to moderately different than the rest of your car. Unlike the rest of your paint which fades over time due to being exposed to the elements, having wax applied, etc. the areas under the door dings are not waxed, exposed to the sun/elements, etc.
Sample:
Check the door dings to see if you have any clearcoat issues or paint fade prior to removing them!
Examine each door ding carefully:
1.
Gently peel up one end of a door ding guard.
2. Observe carefully to see if there is a clearcoat "ridge"
If you do have a ridge, you may want to reconsider removing the door ding guards.
Keep in mind that if you remove the door ding guard, you will have a "racing stripe".
3. Compare the color of the paint underneath the door ding guard and the paint on your door.
If the paint color is different, you may want to reconsider removing the door ding guards.
4. Now move to other end of the door ding guard you just checked and repeat the process.
5. Repeat steps 1-5 for the remaining three door ding guards.
** Use the following instructions at your own risk. **
Time: 30 - 120 minutes
What you will need:
- hairdryer (optional, but recommended)
- extension cord (to use with hairdryer)
- gloves - mechanic's, work, etc.
- fishing line - 10 lb+ test
- t-shirt or rag
- Goo-Gone
- car wash stuff
- car waxing stuff
Do this on a warm, sunny day, as this will make the removal of the adhesive much easier.
1. Hairdryer
Use the hairdryer on hot to heat up the first door ding guard you plan to remove.
By heating up the door ding guard, the adhesive underneath will be much softer and easier to remove.
2. Fishing line
Cut a piece of fishing line long enough to wrap around your gloved hands.
Slide the fishing line underneath the edge of the door ding guard and pull towards the opposite end.
After it has gone about 6 inches, you can take the fishing line out.
3. Remove door ding guard
Grab the end of the door ding guard that is now apart from the car and start pulling it towards the opposite end.
It should come off fairly easily.
You should see a gray or black strip of adhesive.
4. Clean
Use a rag to gently brush away any debris that may be surrounding the adhesive area.
You don't want to start rolling/peeling the adhesive an inadvertently scratch you paint.
5. Remove adhesive
You can either wear a glove or wrap a t-shirt or rag around your thumb.
Don't use your bare thumb unless you enjoy pain and blisters.
Start at one end of the adhesive and try to roll the adhesive towards the opposite end.
Use the hairdryer to keep the adhesive soft - heat is the key to removal.
Once you have finished, move onto each door ding guard and repeat steps 1-5.
6. Observe
Check each door for any remaining adhesive - there may be some small pieces left.
Use a rag and Goo-Gone to remove.
Other products CEGers have used: 3M General Purpose Advesive Remover, WD40, rubbing alcohol, Meguiar's Cleaner Wax.
7. Wash and dry
Wash and dry the doors as you would normally would.
8. WAX
Remember, the paint under he door ding guards have never been waxed, so wax them!
9. Enjoy! 
There are other methods, but I feel this is the safest (least likely to sratch your paint) way.
