Removed Side Moldings

[redsierra]

Well, a while back I asked for your opinions as to whether or not I should remove my side moldings and emblems.

 

What a tuff decision it was!  Thanks for all your help.

 

I went one step at a time over the past few weeks.

 

First, I removed the emblems on the cap or topper as some people call them....looked good!

 

Second, I removed the 4 x 4 decal....looked better!

 

Third, I removed the tail gate emblems...looked even better!

 

Fourth, I removed the chrome side moldings (I was afraid, but figured if i didn't like it I could always put them back on)....looks awesome!

 

As I stood back and admired my truck, I realized one last thing had to go.  The finishing touch was to remove the little SLE badges.

 

No more rolling billboard here!  I really like the clean look.  

 

Everything came off fairly easy.  I bought a heat gun and got out some 14 lb test fishing line.  It works excellent!

 

Now I am debating about painting the chrome on the mirrors too.  I am going to check to see if replacement chrome inserts are available, just in case I want to change back some time.  

 

I think that my wife is even happy.....these mods didn't cost anything!

 

After I get back in town next week I'll post some pics.  Actually I'll wait until I install my new torsion bar keys.

[chevy4x4trucks]

How difficult was it to take of the SLE badge.  I've got some Z71 decals coming that I want to replace them with on mine.  

 

Can't wait to see some pics of it.  The painted mirror look is a great way to go.  The piece of chrome on them looks awkward IMO.

[redsierra]

Removing the SLE badge was pretty easy.  Just a hair dryer with good heat should work for this one.  Once it is hot just get your finger nail under it and lift it off.

 

Did you paint your mirrors yet?

 

I am a little nervous about taking off the chrome piece with a knife.  Another concern is breaking the clips.  Do you know where abouts the 2 sided tape is on the backside.  Probably using my heat gun would make this job a lot easier too.

[chevy4x4trucks]

I haven't painted my mirrors yet, don't need to, If you look close at the pics you can see that mine are all black.  I have the standard package so the mirrors are all plastic.  The person to talk to about painting would be ryanbab since he just recently did his.

 

The Z71 emblems are supposed to arrive tomorrow so hopefully I'll get them on this week.

[gmcjoe]

I recently had my mirror covers painted while still on the truck. My neighbot just masked them off and covered the rest of the truck.

 

Turned out nice, no pics to post yet!

[8100HD]

Welcome to the club,  go naked or go home is the motto.

       

[Tuck]

I also removed every piece of moulding other than the SLE. It looked at first glance like it is recessed....is this not the case? I have a 2000 Silverado and i really did not study the badge all that hard. From far away, it looks recessed. I love the way the removed mouldings look though.(your previuos post made me think of doing it) Alot of grey glue huh? I used a bondo blade and spent ALOT of time getting that crap off before waxing. Mine had alot of dirt underneath that showed they did not seal them very well, and people who keep them on for the long term in climatic regions will eventually develop rust there.

BTW...why are you ditching you helix?

Tuck

[redsierra]

Tuck, yah, I am really pleased with the new look.  

 

I discovered a real easy way to remove moldings.  A heat gun and some thin fishing line.  After heating the molding up I used the fishing line between the body and the molding in a sawing motion.  

 

Believe it or not most of the tape came off by heating it up and rolling it off with my finger (use a glove...I learned the hard way).  Then WD 40 took the rest off!

 

Absolutely no scratching!

 

The SLE badge is not recessed.  The "crystal" emblem is just glued on.  Again, I just used a heat gun and peeled it off.

 

The Power Tower works well, I just don't like the whistling it makes when you accelerate hard.

 

Wanna buy it?

 

You should post a pic of your truck.