How to Use Trim Removal Tools without Damaging Your Car

Have you ever found yourself wondering how to use trim removal tools for removing interior and exterior trimming from your vehicle?

Then, this informative guide will help you to learn a lot.

With the help of trim and mold removal tools, you can remove the interior and exterior trim without damaging the paint or denting your car. These tools are specially designed to remove trim, molding, dashboards, door panels, fasteners, or wheel hubs.

But you have to use the right tools properly to get the job done safely.

In this post, I’ll explain how to use auto trim removal tools.

How to Use Trim Removal Tools to Remove Trim without Damage

Automotive Trim Removal & Required Tools

In general, auto trim removal tools come as a set of instruments of diverse shapes and sizes. This tool set includes from four to seven, even more than 100. So, with a set of different trim tools and the right technique, you can accomplish a maintenance or repair task on almost any vehicle.

With simple tools and the right technique, you can remove speakers, radio trim, door panel, or any vehicle’s interior without any damage.

The exterior and interior trim parts on a car or any vehicle are attached in a way so that the fasteners remain hidden from the view. Unfortunately, it makes the removal of these parts challenging without auto repair.

The understanding of how the trimmings are attached to a vehicle is a combination of guesswork and experiences.

The auto trim removal process should be performed carefully with the understanding of exactly how and where you need to pry on a fastener to dismantle it.

Disassembling exterior trim means gaining access to the fasteners from inside the car. This can involve removing upholstery parts and door panels.

How to Remove Automotive Trim

If the trim of your vehicle has destroyed or lost its luster or you need to do some repair task, you have to remove the trims.

Removing automotive trim parts is an easy job with the right tools. In fact, it is a DIY task.
The first step is to warm up the adhesive from the double-sided tape used to attach the trim. If it is a hot day, warm up your car in the sun to make the adhesive easier to remove.

You may use a hairdryer to apply additional heat to the trim as you peel it off. Heating the trim will soften the adhesive to some extent and make the trim removing task easier.

Gently start pulling up a corner of the trim and peel it off the panel. Slide a non-marring trim removal tool under it to help you lift the trim without scratching your paint job.

Pull the trim steadily with one hand while continuing to apply heat with the hairdryer. Continue the process slowly until the trim completely comes off.

Be cautious to avoid damaging other parts of your car. Potential damage may happen on the painted surface of your car even when working with a plastic trim tool. So, you should be careful enough and always take your time.

While removing the trim, make sure there is sufficient light even during the day. You will probably need a light to see inside and under things you are prying on.

Never apply force on any part if you can’t understand how it is attached in place.

If there is any leftover adhesive from the tape used to attach the trim to the body panel, you have to remove it. Generally, the exterior trim is strongly attached to remain in place for a long time. So, removing this strong adhesive is the most difficult part of removing the exterior trim from your vehicle.

To remove the adhesive you can use adhesive remover and a non-marring trim tool. It is wise to cove the area around the adhesive with crepe masking tape to avoid scraping it.

Is adhesive remover safe on car paint?

You can use a less-harsh option to remove the glue safely. The 3M 3618 adhesive remover is one of the best solutions for any vehicle paint.

With caution, gently scrape off the leftover adhesive with the trim removal tool.

Don’t forget to wear a glove during the whole process.

How to Remove Interior Car Panels

Opening up the door panel is a project you undertake at your own risk. There is a chance you could damage the airbag or an electrical connection.

Auto door panels may have a complex hidden system of plastic fasteners that are used to attach interior panels to the metal frame.

The process of removing car panel of each car model is almost the same. The panel is like a puzzle that seems impossible to open at first. But by carefully prying at a corner you can reveal the next step or uncover elements with concealed screws or retaining clips. You may have to take out the screws or clips for your maintenance work.

Tresalto Auto Trim Removal Tool Set (model: ‎8542041600) is a universally recommended kit for auto trim removal. This professional car trim removal tools set includes four panel removing tools and a long-reach metal tool.

Tresalto automotive trim removal tool set is a lifesaver for removing car trim. You can try any of the panel poppers to see which design works best for the task.

Some tools will provide you the leverage to yank on a stubborn panel. On the other hand, some tools will offer a small slim point that you can wedge into a tight spot once you get some visibility inside the panel.

Most cars use plastic rivets to hold the panel to the metal frame. After you’ve removed the panel, you can spot a few plastic rivets hanging in the frame. You can pull these out with enough force but you risk damaging the rivets and the components.

Use a metal rivet remover tool to pop these out. The mouth of this tool pinches the rivets and takes them out much easier.

How to Use Trim Removal Tools-My Parting Shots…

While removing the trim from your car seems like a daunting task, but this is not the case with the best car trim removal tools.

With the right trim removal kits or tools and techniques, you can remove the trims and components without denting your car or damaging the paint.

I hope, after going through this post you have gained a good idea of how to use trim removal tools.