Exterior Trim Removal - '88 - '98

[2500HD4x4]

I'm going to remove the trim on the exterior of the truck that runs pretty much the entire way around the truck. Runs down the doors, rear panels, bumpers (will leave on the bumpers).

Just looking for a 'cleaner' look and will take any advice on the best way to remove it. I've heard that a hair dryer is good to heat up the adhesive, then a piece of fishing string works pretty well to get underneath the trim and work it loose.

Thanks in advance.

[broughy84]

You got it, thats how i did my 88. Then I took some goo gone and cleaned it. I don't know if it will hurt your paint though. I didn't care about mine cause i repainted it anyway.

[pnut333]

Does anyone have pictures of the trim when removed? I've long considered doing this, but was concerned about the look afterwards.

Also, for those who have removed the trim, do you regret it? More door dings and what not?

Thanks

[broughy84]

The black truck above and below has had the trim removed. No I do not regret it. (All except the spot where the neighbor helped me and dinged the hell out of the bed on the pass side) It make the truck look cleaner.

[pnut333]

This is a tough one. I like the look without, but I would be paranoid about dings. The truck is big, and other drivers are very inconsiderate with their doors. I'm concerned I'll regret it after the first door ding.

[2500HD4x4]

I pulled the trim off of my 1998. I am very pleased with the results. It looks much cleaner. I too was thinking about door dings, but if you look at many of the newer vehicles, they have eliminated the trim strips and look good. Probably will pickup a few dings, but that's not my biggest concern. Mine took a lot of rubbing and picking to remove all of the adhesive from the door. be careful here because it is easy to rub too hard and leave light scratches from removing the actual adhesive that does not come directly off with the trim strip. After all said and done, I worked the area pretty hard with some tougher wax to blend. The slightest color deviation was there since the area under the trim had not seen sunlight for the life of the vehicle.

do it.

[jeverett]

I did it on my 99, I'm about to remove it on my 97 now. Mostly for that gaudy chrome fender trim piece.

[donaldtfreeman]

3M makes a good product for removing automotive type adhesives used for door trim, vinyl stickers like the "Z71" on the truck bed and accessory mounting adhesives. I don't know how much it costs because I use it at work, but it beats scratching the paint & rubbing for hours. It's called 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner, part # 08984.