Door decal replacement

[Z71]

The driver's door black decal on my Sonic is crinkled. The replacement one costs only about $ 7, but it may be tricky to replace correctly. Has anyone done this? If yes, what all you need to remove (i.e. horizontal trim piece on the bottom of window) and how do you soften the glue to make it easy to come off? Would a hair dryer be sufficient?

 

[612roots]

Are You talking about the vinyl on the B Piller?

 

[Z71]

Yes, black vinyl decal on the pillar.

 

[Stew]

There's a whole thread about this, but yeah I think most people who remove it either used a heat gun, hair dryer, or did it on a sunny day.

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/do-yourself-articles/1179-black-pillar-removed.html

 

[612roots]

There's a whole thread about this, but yeah I think most people who remove it either used a heat gun, hair dryer, or did it on a sunny day.

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/do-yourself-articles/1179-black-pillar-removed.html

I was going to post that honestly I would just take it off and go with a different color or just leave it off... With that said I have not gotten around to doing it myself

 

[RMinNJ]

My dealer replaced both of mine and the first time they crinkled one side.. it seems one needs to take their time putting them on... not something a busy chevy dealer has time to do with care.

 

[Z71]

My dealer replaced both of mine and the first time they crinkled one side.. it seems one needs to take their time putting them on... not something a busy chevy dealer has time to do with care.

And this is exactly why I would rather do it myself. What I fear too is that they will give the job to some inexperienced guy and he will put the decal on crooked and then use a razor blade to trim the top and deeply score my paint, causing a lot more damage that way.

 

[2THEXTRM]

My dealer replaced both of mine and the first time they crinkled one side.. it seems one needs to take their time putting them on... not something a busy chevy dealer has time to do with care.

Yup, took 2 attempts on my 2012 before my dealer got the install right with no wrinkles. Mechanics aren't normally laying vinyl so I didn't worry about it lol



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[Z71]

So far nobody has answered my original question: Do you need to remove the horizontal door trim to properly replace the decal? It seems to extend down below the level of the trim on top of the door (base of window).

 

[2THEXTRM]

They did remove that trim for my install, the second time

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[Z71]

They did remove that trim for my install, the second time

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The next question is - how do you remove it without damaging it? Any special tools required?

 

[2THEXTRM]

Not sure since I didn't do the work but I expect there is clips that don't require a specialty tool. I would want a good set of dash/trim removal tools that prevent damage is all. $20 for a decent set and you should be good to go.

Maybe someone has actually replaced window trim before and could chime in.

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[Z71]

Not sure since I didn't do the work but I expect there is clips that don't require a specialty tool. I would want a good set of dash/trim removal tools that prevent damage is all. $20 for a decent set and you should be good to go.

Maybe someone has actually replaced window trim before and could chime in.

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I asked the local dealer about the clips on that horizontal trim piece and the diagram they had does not show any clips. is this thing just held on with 3M tape or something else?

 

[widdz]

What clips are you talking about? I replaced these on my car in a hour and had all 4 done. No disassembly of the car is required.