This video demonstrates how to remove automotive body side molding and trim using easy-to-use removal tools. The right tool can make prying off molding or trim easier and prevent damage to surrounding material, connectors, or clips. Other specialized tools can be used for specific types of exterior body panels.
To remove large plastic trim panels below the steering wheel and interior plastic trim panels on the side near the emergency brake, use masking tape, Dupli-Color Interior Paint, Dupli-Color Truck Bed Liner Aerosol, Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter, 320-Grit Sandpaper, Wax and Grease Remover, and prepare to repair. Cleaning the panel with masking tape, Dupli-Color Interior Paint, Dupli-Color Truck Bed Liner Aerosol, Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter, 320-Grit Sandpaper, Wax and Grease Remover, and other cleaning supplies is essential.
Most trim on doors and dash can be removed easily with a trim removal tool. The trim is designed to stay in place but is surprisingly durable. Just pry up on them with a flat head screwdriver and they should pop off. If you look under the truck, you should see tabs sticking.
To remove the rear seat back pad, go slow and try to wiggle it out or use a small plastic pry bar or pick back there to help pop it out. The under-rear-window trim panel pops out at the bottom first, and while it’s slightly hinged towards you from the bottom, gently push up as the top clips go.
To save yourself from heartache, buy a trim puller kit from your local auto store, which are around $10-15. Most interior pieces are held on place by clips, so you need a set of plastic pry bars.
📹 Removing push-pin rivets (trim clips?) without special tools
Probably better ways to do this without a special tool but it’s what I had on hand. Small flat-head screwdriver and a thin wrench.
📹 DIY Car Fastener Clip Removal Tool
If you are in need of a fastening clip but don’t have the correct tools available, take a fork and bend the inner prongs outward for …
I went to the local dollar store and got a cheapy set of 3 forks for a dollar – and this worked for me like a charm. Although the cheapy fork looks like a pretzel on a bad hair day by the time I got the 3rd clip removed. LoL. I APPRECIATE ya doing this article! You saved me some time and some money. 👍👍👍
How would they benefit to make it easy and affordable for the hardworking consumer who has/is paid/paying for an overpriced product to repair and/or maintain that product on their own without overriding every single part in the vehicle/product and making it very difficult to do it yourself without a special tool and knowledge.!! But thanks to you and many others with great advice,knowledge, and sometimes just an opinion on what helped for you…may go along way for others. THANKS