need help removing trim for paint

[remi_357]

..

[remi_357]

im hoping someone can help me with this, I am in the process of stripping the car down to get ready for a new paint job. Here is 2 pictures with the trim in question circled. Does anyone know how to remove this trim without damaging the clips behind it? What would be the proper way to remove them? My painter says im on my own. (He is a friend and is giving me a freebie)

[73 Centurion]

Removing trim is scary stuff, but you are much better off doing it yourself so you can keep track of the fasteners.

First gather your tools. Wrap a small screw driver in electrical tape or find something plastic you can use to pry. Gather every philips screwdriver you can find. Always clean out the slots and use the screwdriver that fits the tightest. A slightly undersized driver is much more likely to strip the head.

The trim around the rear of the roof begins at the back of the door. You have to remove or loosen the interior side panes. Check for screws and gently pry the trim up off the clips. The trim snaps over plastic clips that slide onto metal posts. Check on the internet and buy a dozen spares. You'll break some, others may be worn over time. The clips should hold the trim just a bit off the sheetmetal so it doesn't scratch the paint.

Doors: You have to remove the interior panels from the doors to get at the outside trim. It helps to lower the window stops on the bottom of the door so it sinks down far enough for you to get at the screws.

Hood: There are screws that hold the trim on from underneath. The trim slides off the back of the hood but it not easily. Try to move the trim a quarter inch along it's entire length first, then move it all another quarter inch. By doing it in stages you reduce the chance of buckling the trim if one section suddenly lets go.

Moving back the trim around the roof well has a couple of nasty tiny little screws that screw up from the bottom. Lower the roof about halfway. A stubby screwdriver, lots of pressure (press up from the bottom and use your other hand to press down from the top), lots of patience and a soaking in lubricant are required. If you strip these there is very little room to work at a repair. Once the screws are out you can slide the trim toward the hood and separate the peices.

The trim along the bottom of the car is held on by screws that run from the bottom up into the sheetmetal. These will probably be rusted solid. Penetrating oil and a proper fitting screwdriver are your best hope.

The trim behind the rear wheels is hung on metal discs that slide over posts in the sheet metal. Remove the screws and slide the trim up off the discs.

The trim on the bottom of the door has 2 screws at each end that you access from the inside edge. The rest of the trim is held on with plastic clips. Gently pry it off.

The lower part of the rocker trim has screws underneath and around the door opening. There maybe one in the wheel well also. There are more plastic clips once the screws are out.

If you can get to a salvage yard that has older iron look for any big GM with the stainless trim like yours. You can practice on these and you'll be wise to buy any plastic clips that aren't broken when you're done. The metal discs behind the rear wheels are prone to rust. It always starts where they slip over the post. A little rust here will stop the disc from holding on to the car.

Go slowly, remove any screws you can find. When you begin prying watch the trim closely. If it begins to buckle you've missed a screw somewhere.