Removing Trim

[Timon]

I have not looked, but I need to remove the plastic trim around the OUTSIDE of the window, both driver's and passenger's sides. Does this pop off, are there screws/nuts/bolts/etc. that may need to be removed?

[lsgheero]

Which trim are you wanting to remove exactly. Some of it isnt plastic but metal. most of it just pops off just take your time.

[Timon]

All of the trim peices labeled in the picture and the bumper covers (I looked at the rear one and it seemed pretty simple, just a line of bolts).

I know there are tricks of the trade to removing various things from a vehicle while doing the least amount of damage. Also if anyone has an easy way to remove the door handles and tail lights that'd be appreciated too. I just don't want to break anything , so I figured I'd ask.

[2restomod]

1. there are two screws on the inside (one at each end if i recall). You then have to pull up from the ends to pull off the plastic clips that hold it on the door.
2. Pretty self evident once you take off the inside trim. About 6 to 8 10mm nuts inside the holes in the roof. (might be 8mm)
3.& 4. 8mm nuts hold them from the inside. The bottom trim piece has to be "popped" up with something that won't scrape your paint (like a thin scraper).
5. You can take off the entire bumper by removing the two nuts from inside the trunk. Take off the rubber bumper by removing the 10 or so bolts with the metal trim peice (after you've take it off)
6. Can't even explain it---but it's all in front of you. Or take off the entire bumper by removing the two bolts (from radiator rail holes).
7. Have a beer. You'll have earned it at this point. Good luck!

[Timon]

Well prior to your post I removed #2 , annoy how you have to remove the light fixture, the two side trim pieces on the outside and the top rear inside trim just to get to the bolts (note: they are 8mm and require about an 1 1/2'' deep socket to remove). I also found out how to remove 1. but due to it being a door screw it is rusted out and stripped in one small attempt... so I'm kind screwed on the driver's side until I can pull the entire door skin off and drill out the old screw. I haven't attempted any of the others yet, that will come tomorrow.

Another question, how to remove the door handle. I removed all the screws and popped out all the tabs for the door skin, but the handle is the only thing holding it in still. There are no screws that would remove the handle completely that are accessible. Does it just simply pop off?

Thanks for your help - this whole 'paint the car yourself' project is turning into a 'tear the car apart yourself' project.

[Mista 2]

Masking tape and lots of paper are your friends, just use them

[2restomod]

You can remove the window crank handle by putting a rag or small towel behind it and moving it back and forth. That will release a small C type clip.
Keep the ends "up" and move the rag back and forth (iirc).
What color are you painting it?

[muffinman]

inside door handle has one phillips screw

[Timon]

2restomod, I'll try that in a bit and see if it works. I planned on painting it Midnight Blue, but instead, due to limitations at my local paint store, settled with Dark Blue Mica Metallic. The color is very, very close to what I wanted, but I think it will be a little bit more bright once all is said and done.

Here's how far the car has come.

Before



During






After (still dusty and wet from wet sanding the car)


It has been completely sanded to bare metal in all of the rust places, primered & sanded, and primered again with wet sanding. I have a few small imperfections I noticed that I'd like to get fixed before I actually start applying paint. Chances are it will end up being primered for a third time and then wet sanded again.


muffinman, I'm assuming this is after removing the handle itself?

[2restomod]

Nice job. That blue is a nice color. I had a friend I used to race with who had that color and it almost looked black until you looked at it closely. Also, take your inside door panels off so that you can take off those door handles! There are only two 10mm screws holding them on and two little plastic "clips" that have to be released to take off the levers.

[Ignarius]

Nicely done! I wish I knew how to do this kind of work!

[Timon]

^ Honestly so do I. I'd say for my first time it went well. The internet is a great source of information.

2restomod, I wish I had known that before I painted the car. It turned right around to bite me in the ass after the job was done. Some of the masking tape around the handles fell down and left a line under the driver's side door handle. Nothing touch up paint didn't fix, but now it doesn't look as good as it could have.

The job is complete and has been for a bit, now I'm working on getting some more cosmetic parts replaced, trim mainly. Anyway, here's a pic of the first coat of paint - after a few more coats it came out much more dark, but I haven't had a chance to buff it out yet to get pics.