Car Trim and badge removal

Note some parts such as bumpers, number plates, mirrors and screen wipers can be simply unbolted or unscrewed where possible . But door trim, body strips and name badges are slightly less straight forward to remove. Car manufacturers use a variety of different clips and fittings to secure badges and door side trim. The most common types of clip and how remove the trim are shown below.

If the fittings come off easily then remove them. If not, leave them in place and mask them carefully on older classic cars you may not be able to get replacements.

Side trim.

Side trim strips and name badges are fixed to bodywork in a number of ways and may need to remove for bodywork repairs, or when damaged.
Strip trim is usually a tight push over clips which are attached to body. These clips may be plastic or on older cars metal and are usually quite flimsy and easily broken, so take care when removing trim.be prepared for a breakage, clips are inexpensive and push on to or screw into bodywork so can be replaced.

Trim usually has to prised off metal clips (use a thin flat block of wood if no trim removal tools available so that you do not damage the paintwork), or for slide off plastic clips, working from one end of the strips at a time.

Glued-on badge

These have powerful adhesive backing try and warm up the badge first and use strong cord and or plastic trim tool to avoid paint damage. If badge glue does come off, remove all traces of glue off the paintwork with lighter fuel. When you come to stick the badge back on, check that the glue you use will not react with the paintwork. Its possible test it on a small area which not show, such the inside of the boot.

Clip-on badge

important first open and check interior some badges may be fixed or have interior small screws or riveted from the inside.

badges on older cars are usually a push fit into holes in the bodywork or held by trim fixing clips or plastic plug push in fixings follow side trim guide work from corners on larger badges to avoid any damage clean the area on badge and bodywork before fixing to remove grime and wax.