ApexClone

Before I break pins removing the door cards, does anyone know if the gray trim pieces around the opener buttons are removable from the back? Or do they maybe just pop off from the front?

edit: just realized a typo in the title. Should say 'around' not 'arrive'.

StayinStock

Unfortunately, they are not. At least not with taking the door panel completely apart. They are held into the back side with a very odd-looking stamped nut that is unfortunately put on it a reverse manner and can't be taken off with a traditional socket. I tried to do this on mine to wrap the pieces and decided it wasn't worth the headache. It can be done but not without some ingenuity. Although im sure it makes the panel more solid it seems like a dumb design.

ApexClone

I figured you would reply.

Thats unfortunate as wrapping them was exactly my thought. They just look very cheap to me as is. I'll probably pop the door cards off and take a peak.

StayinStock

Lol sadly I've had almost every nut and bolt apart on my car or the other various c6s ive worked on at some point. I wish I could use that headspace for something more productive but hey it works haha

jamieo

The gray part will pop right off.It is the larger black piece behind it that is atached with the nuts.

StayinStock

Oh yeah I read that wrong initially, I thought you meant the panel where the lock is. Yes the door opener things pop right out with a Trim tool. My bad on that

ApexClone

Excellent news

Thanks

Klawp

They don't hold vinyl/wrap well anyway. Either need an adhesion promoter or prep the surface so it's flat. The textured surface will cause you issues down the line.

StayinStock

UWU is right, they dont like to hold up very well, use some 3m primer 94 in the recess and youll get a little more life out of them

unkled20

You could always paint them. That's what I did. I didn't like the look of the gray either.

JABCAT

Both of the components discussed in this thread are easily removable. The door button surround pops off from the front & the door lock surround requires the removal of 3 plastic nuts on the back side of the door panel.

I painted the door button surrounds & covered the door lock surrounds with Alcantara

Let It Ride

Hmmmmm......one member makes a task sound like a 5 year old can do it and another sounds like Einstien can't do it, interesting.

JABCAT

Fwiw - my 10-year-old son removed the 2nd set of door panel components after he watched me on the first one. But he also helped me remove & reinstall the entire dash, wire in an amp, sub, new head unit, front & rear cameras, and more. Trust him more than any dealership tech

javaman

Another option would be RFE Design’s CF treatment.

StayinStock

@Let It Ride I never said it wasnt removable, I said it wasn't easy to do. GM didn't design it to come off easily since they put the stupid plastic nuts backwards. If someone wants to take the time to do it its possible.

@JABCAT looks great, what did you use to get the plastic nuts started. We tried but didn't have much luck and it felt like I was going to break something so I stopped.

Let It Ride

[QUOTE=StayinStock;1605843042]@Let It Ride I never said it wasnt removable, I said it wasn't easy to do. GM didn't design it to come off easily since they put the stupid plastic nuts backwards. If someone wants to take the time to do it its possible.

Two statements when read make it sound very difficult to do. Jabcat says it's so easy a 10 year old can do it. wait a 10 year did do it!

JABCAT

Thanks! Iirc, we used just a small socket (maybe 7mm - can't remember), either that or needle nosed pliers. I've taken every interior piece out of that car so I forget what we used for what pieces. When reinstalling I didn't use the nuts but instead 3 small screws for each piece (one in each post) in case I wanted to remove them again at any time. I'll see if I can find pics of the back side.

StayinStock

Gives me some ideas for mine, dig the look!