side moldings removal

[TeclipseFTW]

how do i remove the stock side moldings without damaging them??

 

[ajinvista]

They just snap in. The moldings are pretty tough and flexible. Long flatblade or trim removal tool.

 

[TeclipseFTW]

dose the auto parts store have a molding removal tool? and what if i need new clips, anywhere those can be bought?

 

[ajinvista]

Yes they should have both. The clips do break sometimes, especially on cars as old as ours. I'm leaving the panels off my car and filling the holes, either with metal or tiny rubber plugs painted to match my color.
Mitsubishi dealer will have the clips too. Auto parts stores should have them though. I usually go to napa.

One more thing, on my Talon at least there are some sliding things that rotate to hold the bottom on.

 

[matt98eclipse]

You can also just use a heat gun to remove them.

 

[TeclipseFTW]

ok cool and what do you mean rotate?

 

[brownfinger]

Don't forget the double sided tape that holds the top edge of the moldings on! It just peels off of the car, but to get the residue off you'll need a special tool. It's made by 3M, and it's pretty cheap at any auto-paint supply specialist. Like $10-20. It works like a grinder or cut-off wheel, but it is made of soft rubber. It rips-off what's left of the double-sided foam tap without damaging the paint on the car body. It will, however, do a number on the soft plastic lower mouldings. Be careful. After that, you use adhesive remover to dissolve the last of the tape residue. You can get 3M adhesive and silicone remover where you get the tape remover, or youi can get it generic at Autozone or wherever.
To the best of my knowledge, most of those plastic clips are NOT available anymore through mitsubishi, not for our 1Gs anyway. Junkyard those, local or DSM graveyard.
There are also a couple of steel screws, which will break. You'll just have to drill them out.

 

[matt98eclipse]

Don't forget the double sided tape that holds the top edge of the moldings on! It just peels off of the car, but to get the residue off you'll need a special tool. It's made by 3M, and it's pretty cheap at any auto-paint supply specialist. Like $10-20. It works like a grinder or cut-off wheel, but it is made of soft rubber. It rips-off what's left of the double-sided foam tap without damaging the paint on the car body. It will, however, do a number on the soft plastic lower mouldings.

Its called a eraser wheel I use them daily at the body shop i work at.

 

[TeclipseFTW]

Ok, thanks for the input guys