I have some hail damage on the exterior door trim (belt molding and upper molding) of my 2013 Outback.  How do I remove those trim pieces?

aqheng,

 

First, I've worked in an auto restoration shop on and off for years. Second, I did a similar job on a rear door of my last OBW LTD, an 07. Third, I've looked at my present 2012 OBW LTD and I would assume  ... that the wide bottom of the door moulding is fastened as I've seen past generations of Subies.

 

I suspect that the moulding is held to the door by a series of plastic plugs that are spaced about 3 inches apart, and simply can be pried straight out of the door. These plugs assure that the moulding will be properly aligned when it is installed. I also suspect that the top, and possibly the bottom as well, will be stuck to the door with double sided adhesive tape.

 

Your best bet is to start at the rear of the door (have the door open) and pry the moulding away from the door slowly with a putty knife or similar. Once you get it started you'll be able to see the pins and the tape. If, as you continue pulling and prying along its length, you have trouble with the tape, slide the sharp blade of an exacto knife through the tape as you pull the moulding, thereby cutting the tape. Keep the blade flat against the door so as to not slice the paint.

 

Remove all of the adhesive tape from the moulding by scraping and wiping the moulding with GOO-BE-Gone, varsol or WD40 (GOO-BE-GONE works best, varsol next and then WD40)

 

When you are ready to reinstall the moulding wipe down the door and the moulding where the tape goes with alcohol to remove any grease/oil or the tape will not adhere. Buy the double sided tape from a body shop suppy house. Don't get the stuff sold at Walmart, etc. Its not the same at all.

 

As for the top chrome moulding at the bottom of the glass ... the best way is to remove the glass from the door, so that you can better get at the clips that secure it to the metal on the inside of the outer door skin. If that is too much trouble, many of these mouldings simply pull straight up, starting at one end. Be careful, as it is very easy to bend the darn things. If you're replacing it anyway, have at it. In the past many of these were held on with tiny screws inserted from inside the door.

 

Good Luck!

I just want to remove the little narrow chrome trim strips that run along the top and bottom edges of the window opening.  The lower one has some rubber weather stripping behind the chrome, but the upper one does not.