Removing side panels?

i have a friend that wants me to remove the side panels off his truck whats best way of doing it? :help:

 

Get yourself a repair manual and have a look on all the attach points, if you dont have one go down the the public library and they should have a whole bunch of them. Obviously looking online also but I would not start tearing down a car or side panels without having a idea of attach points so you dont risk breaking clips or bending anything. What truck are you working on btw?

 

its a gmc sierra and he wants the panels that are glued on to come off not fenders and stuff like that. (i know i said panels but i dont know if thats what they are really called)

 

Like the chrome parts on the door? Sorry if I am not understanding, .

 

Pull really hard... lol

You need to figure out if they are attached with an adhesive or by clips or screws.

 

Use a source of heat (Even the sun if it's hot enough), then get a piece of floss or fishing line and just work your way down with a sawing motion, and then use tarminator or goo gone on the extra adhesive that's left behind.

 

If they are those chrome pieces make sure there are no holes in the body for alignment or extra securing. I know on my GTI that strip has post on the actual piece that go into holes in the door skin for alignment and extra strength.

 

On the sierra its just glue/taped on. There is no clips or screws.

 

those are it

 

ya i think your right i use to have a tahoe and all it had was glue

 

so maybe like a heat gun? but it has been hot as hell recently where i live so the sun might just work. floss seems like a good way to go but wont it break or kinda melt?

 

A heat gun will work perfectly, you could also get some 3m adhesive remover and drip some from the top between the body and the panel to loosen it up and after about 30 sec slowly pry it off. The 3m stuff will eat away at the foam tape that is holding it on. Floss/fishing line can also work as Darkstar said.

 

thanks guys for all your help

 

X2

Yep, I've done a ton of trucks. Sometimes it nice to have another person work the heat source and one "floss" the fishing line. Just get some strong stuff!

 

Yea that's something I forgot to say, spray any type of adhesive remover to get in, soak, and start breaking down the adhesive so it will be easier to remove.

 

BTW I believe it's called body moulding.

 

your right but btw i believe its spelled MOLDING jk

 

Also not sure if you want to spend anything. But a eraser wheel works wonder once you get the molding off to remove the tape/residue.

 

whats an eraser wheel? never heard of it :shead: nevermind i just goggled it and that thing kicks-ass!

 

Yeah they are awesome and a huge time saver. I use one like this daily as its for air (bodyshop)...



But the 3m or similar one works great also (just use it on an electric drill, not battery, or on air)...