deluxe trim removal + refitting ????

[paul_q]

i have a rear corner beltline trim missing and theres very slight pitting there.so i would guess that behind all the other trim would be the same.i would like to remove all the trim and treat the areas behind but would imagine this would be a nightmare job to get them realigned.has anyone done similar,any tips?

thanks paul.

 

[woodslat]

Paul, the reason the rear corners usually get pitted (usually the right side) is dirt and decomposing leaves run down the sides from the roof gutter slot collect behind the trim, get wet again every time it rains. I think you'll find the rest of the area behind the trim in great condition. I have pulled 75+ sets of trim, the best way is with a strong pocket knife. Start at one end, pop the corner up, then massage it from the bottom up in a prying motion just before every trim clip. For the last one, just lever it off. If you bugger one up, MCJ Imports on here has a huge stock of used pieces.

 

[Mike F]

It is easy - I managed it!

I got some replacement plastic mounts but cannot remember where I bought them from. Give it a try...

 

[Bookwus]

Hiya Paul,

Yep, agree with woodslat on the trim.

However, I'd recommend using a 2 inch putty knife under the trim with which to pry. This distributes the load against the paint finish and does a very nice job of popping off the trim. Less chance of nicking the trim also.

 

[paul_q]

thanks for all the help,ill check a section at the front to see if it is all over or just the rears before i take the lot off!

 

[woodslat]

Hiya Paul,

Yep, agree with woodslat on the trim.

However, I'd recommend using a 2 inch putty knife under the trim with which to pry. This distributes the load against the paint finish and does a very nice job of popping off the trim. Less chance of nicking the trim also.

I'll have to try the putty knife, that sounds to be perfect. In a junkyard in the middle of the Arizona desert with no tools except for my Leatherman I discovered the knife trick. I had one piece in Sierra Vista that was so tough it broke both my stainless steel blades! Leatherman fixed it for free though...

 

[Bookwus]

Hiya wood,

Yep, it works well. The only thing I'd mention is that you will need a putty knife with a fairly stiff blade. If you wander into Home Debit you'll find some real cheapies - throwaways actually. They have blades that are really bendy and that's not what you want for this purpose. But continue looking and you should turn up a putty knife with "the right stuff".

And I know what you mean about the Leatherman. Great tool! For some reason (habit I guess) I've never made the transition to a Leatherman - I'm still a Swiss Army Knife kinda guy.