Author Topic: Exterior trim removal, bad idea or not  (Read 4644 times)

Offline blast

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Exterior trim removal, bad idea or not
« on: April 04, 2008, 04:13:59 pm »
I'd like to remove the rubber exterior trim down both sides of my 85 silverado.  It's falling off in a few spots already.

I was wondering how bad it would look after I remove the glue with goo-b-gone?  The paint job on the truck is good, and the trim was put on after the paint.  I don't expect this truck to look perfect, but I'd like to avoid any of my usual stupid ideas.

Are there any other reasons why I shouldn't take it off?

I also wouldn't mind removing the chrome trim on the fender wheel wells.  Would this be bad?

I'm shooting for a nice clean no trim look, even take off the emblem eventually, but I don't know how long it will be before I re-paint the body, and would like it to look presentable until that time. 


Offline dumbucket1

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Re: Exterior trim removal, bad idea or not
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2008, 04:23:41 pm »
I have seen alot of these trucks rusted out under that trim. That glued on trim can be a bear to get off though...
Chevy and GMC trucks ranging from 1973 to 2007

Offline bigkountry

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Re: Exterior trim removal, bad idea or not
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2008, 04:34:51 pm »
Heat it up with a heat gun or hair dryer, take a piece of fishing line and slide it behind the moulding. Should come off no problem, if you can find a way to get your hands on a rubber wheel (3M makes them) that will cut your time getting the residue off in half.

Since it was resprayed you shouldn't have any problems with paint fade.

I did this on my 01 Silverado and it turned out super nice!
81 Scottsdale K10 "Under construction"

Offline HAULIN IT

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Re: Exterior trim removal, bad idea or not
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2008, 08:38:33 pm »
Blast, If the truck had moldings from the factory there will be some 5/16" holes. The metal moldings under the tail lights have two, some trucks have holes about an inch in from the wheel lips w/ a spring type push clip & some tailgates have clips also. I'm not sure as to what years had the holes by the wheelwells, ect. they don't all have them. Just a heads-up, don't be surprised if you find them. Lorne

Offline bigkountry

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Re: Exterior trim removal, bad idea or not
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2008, 08:43:31 pm »
Good point there!

Since his truck was resprayed I was assuming they used the stick on moulding, I removed mine and there was no holes under it at all?
81 Scottsdale K10 "Under construction"

Offline blast

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Re: Exterior trim removal, bad idea or not
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2008, 09:12:52 pm »
Paint might be original.  By paint is good, I meant looks good, for 23 years old anyways. 

I just noticed a trim piece missing under the tail light, and there is a clip there.  :'(  And the paint is faded there it seems.  Funny that it is lighter under the missing trim piece.

Maybe I'll leave it on since there is clips, and get some new stuff since it's falling off.

How many clips in total are there for that trim molding line?  4?

Offline HAULIN IT

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Re: Exterior trim removal, bad idea or not
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2008, 09:36:37 pm »
The ones under the tail lights have nuts on the back (if they haven't been changed). As I said, some trucks have holes near the ends, by the wheelwells. Not all trucks have these, if they do it would be: the two under each tail light (all factory molding trucks have these), one behind the rear wheel, one in front of the rear wheel & one behind the front wheel. In total on the whole truck (not counting the tailgate, I think only the '81-'83's or so had clips there) would be at least 4, but maybe 10.   

Offline blast

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Re: Exterior trim removal, bad idea or not
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2008, 10:05:02 pm »
Cool, thanks for the info.  Clips-ahoy, chevy sure liked the clips.

I guess I'll leave the trim on for now, and replace eventually.