Remove chrome bed stake whole covers?

[NealC]

Hello all, I've been reading this forum for a while, and I want to thank all of you for sharing your great knowledge. I am learning a lot! This is my first post. I've been in to these trucks all of my life. I recently got this '71 CST, all original, 60,000 mi., original paint. The PO put these chrome covers on the bed sides and the top of the tail gate. I peeled off the tailgate strip without doing any damage to the paint. How can I get these side strips off? I tried a little heat from a heat gun but I don't want to mess up the paint. I tried just pulling on one end - now it is bent out of shape, but for the most part still stuck to the bed side. Any tricks? Thanks, Neal.

[69halfton]

...i think they look cool. i say leave em

[NealC]

I want to remove them for two reasons: 1st I think that rust will collect under them, and 2nd I think a truck should have working stake pockets. Neal

[ChevLoRay]

I think heat is the only way to loosen the adhesive that you know is sandwiched between the trim and the bed rails. If it's a 3M double-sided tape, you could visit their website and maybe they offer tips on removal.

But short of being able to get somthing behind, i.e. between the two surfaces, heat is your friend. You may be able to get a piece of fishing line, don't know what test line would be best, under the inside edge and work it back and forth until you get it under the uppermost part, then start a sawing motion from the front of the bed to the rear, and essentially cut the adhesive.

Can't guarantee it will work, but you asked for ideas.

OH, welcome to the board from The Heart of Arkansas!!

[Willy Prost]

Was the piece you removed held on with adhesive?

Way back in the day, I had good luck using spray Gumout carb cleaner.

[68C15]

that is gonna take a lot of heat. the covers are acting as a radiator and spreading the heat. I would wait till summer. get a good hot day of sitting in the sun and give them a strong pull.

[Shane]

I have had good luck with a plastic Bondo spreader to remove adhesive mounted trim on later model vehicles.

[low'n slow]

You could protect your truck and then grind off the corner. That would give you access to the top rail. If you want functional stake pockets you could carefully cut them out.

[NealC]

Thanks for the replies. Mostly I am concerned about the stick-on chrome rails attracting rust. I want to save the original paint. Has anyone had issues like that? I've seen rust under some of those chrome tailgate strips. I probably won't be using the stake pockets on this truck much, so that is not a big deal. I guess I prefer the original look. I think I will wait for a real hot day and try some of these ideas to get them off. I'll let you know how it works out in about six months.

Neal

[krazy_texan]

i would set a jet heater up on a table or something pointed straight at them let it sit for a while and use fishing line like they said and work it like you would a windshield