97 rear hatch trim removal.

[EliteConcept]

Need some help fellas (and ladies)
I think it would look better if i painted this lower trim on the hatch of my truck white. I was wondering if it can be removed, if so how?
I would go outside and examine it but its -8 outside right now.

any info will be helpful
thanks
ryan

 

[section525]

I just took mine off a few days ago. There are 7 rivets under the window weather stripping. I just drilled the heads off and popped the rivets out..

 

[section525]

Here is a pic...

 

[EliteConcept]

darn i was hoping it came off easy.
i guess it can't be reinstalled once taken off?

 

[section525]

You can just rivet it back in. That's what I am going to do with the top one. Well, most of the top one.

 

[EliteConcept]

are the plastic rivits?
i hate doing someting that i can't go back and correct

 

[X~FACTOR]

Originally posted by section525
You can just rivet it back in. That's what I am going to do with the top one. Well, most of the top one.

Hmmm... this should be interesting.

Hey Elite- don't worry about the lower trim. Once you take it off you wouldn't want to put it back on. It looks way better without it. If you don't want to drill the rivets off then just leave it and just yank that black trim off. The trim is soft enough that it'll rip right off. You could worry about drilling the rivets off later.

 

[EliteConcept]

does it look goofy if i only take the bottom trim (the one i pointed out) and not the top (near 3rd brake light)?

 

[X~FACTOR]

Yea sorta... although your lund spoiler covers it quite good. I would wait with what Section has in store for us.

 

[section525]

Originally posted by X~FACTOR
I would wait with what Section has in store for us.

Good idea!

 

[Ak LTD Xplorer]

when i get my hatch done i plan on taking the bottom trim off then the trim off around the 3rd brake light and glassing around the 3rd brake light(sound good?)

how big are the holes left behind from the trim?
easly fixed with a welder?