Removing trim without damage - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Steven Sellers · 05-11-2003, 07:43 PM

Hi all, does anyone have any tips for removing trim without bending it? My trim is in decent shape but I have surface rust under pass bed side that I want to take care of but dont wont to lose my trim.

TIA Steve

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-11-2003, 07:59 PM

I suspect you are asking about the upper bed molding, since the lower molding is usually no problem. I further suspect the you have the mechanical push in clips for the full length of the upper chrome.

The way that I remove the upper chrome is to spray the chrome down, trying to douse the clips underneath. I use a flat blade putty knife the pull the chrome out at the clips just enough to insert a bent knife that is used to trip the spring that holds the clips in position. Once I have all of the springs tripped, I use the knife again to rotate the clips which releases the chrome. If you are careful, you can remove the chrome without damaging it.

Getting the clips out of the bed after the chrome is removed is a problem and I usually just break them if they refuse to come out.

Jim

Steven Sellers · 05-11-2003, 10:00 PM

Yes Im talking about the upper molding . It appears that it has the original clips with a screw here or there. I am going to give your suggestion a try and hopefully if Im careful to I want mess it up. Thxs for the reply

Steve

Jemost 72 · 05-12-2003, 02:28 AM

Any chance of some pics of this process? Or at least what the springs look like?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-12-2003, 09:53 AM

Here is a picture of the chrome with the clip. The tool is a bent piece of sheet metal, ( a knife blade works better, but I could not find mine). If you slide the sheet metal to the left, it will release the wire spring and allow you to rotate the clip out of the chrome
channels. The trick is finding the clips and locating the springs. I use a flat blade putty knife to pull the chrome away just enough to work on the clip. There is enough spring in the clip to do this
without damaging the chrome. If you look down on the chrome, you can see the clips with the chrome pried out.

Hopefully I have explained this, but if you have questions, please feel free to ask.

Jim

05-11-2003, 07:43 PM	#1
Steven Sellers Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 692	Removing trim without damage Hi all, does anyone have any tips for removing trim without bending it? My trim is in decent shape but I have surface rust under pass bed side that I want to take care of but dont wont to lose my trim. TIA Steve __________________ 2008 Buick Enclave(wifes new non wrecked) 1996 Jeep Cherokee 2002 2500HD 6.0L (traded) 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee(wifes/wrecked) 1977 DJ5 postal jeep(mmm lots of fun) 1988 Toyota 2wd p/u(DD, blewup 199,000) 1991 Toyota 2ed p/u (sry just cant break these things) 1997 XR70 Honda 1991 Z50(FOR SALE) 1972 Z50 Honda 1970 SWB 350/knucklebuster "The adventure begins and I am confident that there will be no end".

05-11-2003, 10:00 PM	#3
Steven Sellers Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 692	Yes Im talking about the upper molding . It appears that it has the original clips with a screw here or there. I am going to give your suggestion a try and hopefully if Im careful to I want mess it up. Thxs for the reply Steve __________________ 2008 Buick Enclave(wifes new non wrecked) 1996 Jeep Cherokee 2002 2500HD 6.0L (traded) 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee(wifes/wrecked) 1977 DJ5 postal jeep(mmm lots of fun) 1988 Toyota 2wd p/u(DD, blewup 199,000) 1991 Toyota 2ed p/u (sry just cant break these things) 1997 XR70 Honda 1991 Z50(FOR SALE) 1972 Z50 Honda 1970 SWB 350/knucklebuster "The adventure begins and I am confident that there will be no end".

05-12-2003, 02:28 AM	#4
Jemost 72 Southern Bowties Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 240	Any chance of some pics of this process? Or at least what the springs look like? __________________ 1972 Cheyenne 350/350

05-12-2003, 09:53 AM	#5
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Here is a picture of the chrome with the clip. The tool is a bent piece of sheet metal, ( a knife blade works better, but I could not find mine). If you slide the sheet metal to the left, it will release the wire spring and allow you to rotate the clip out of the chrome channels. The trick is finding the clips and locating the springs. I use a flat blade putty knife to pull the chrome away just enough to work on the clip. There is enough spring in the clip to do this without damaging the chrome. If you look down on the chrome, you can see the clips with the chrome pried out. Hopefully I have explained this, but if you have questions, please feel free to ask. Jim Attached Images

05-11-2003, 07:59 PM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	I suspect you are asking about the upper bed molding, since the lower molding is usually no problem. I further suspect the you have the mechanical push in clips for the full length of the upper chrome. The way that I remove the upper chrome is to spray the chrome down, trying to douse the clips underneath. I use a flat blade putty knife the pull the chrome out at the clips just enough to insert a bent knife that is used to trip the spring that holds the clips in position. Once I have all of the springs tripped, I use the knife again to rotate the clips which releases the chrome. If you are careful, you can remove the chrome without damaging it. Getting the clips out of the bed after the chrome is removed is a problem and I usually just break them if they refuse to come out. Jim



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