Internal Paneling Maintenance

[Jim Agile]

Does anyone know how to remove interior paneling fasteners without doing damage, or is it even possible? The fasteners themselves are covered with the same fabric as the panel itself.
Thanks

[N147JK]

Those are common decorative screw head covers. Just put a screwdriver under an edge and pry up - they will pop right off. Or, use a plastic tool for this purpose. This will expose the underlying screw head. Go gently so as not to damage the surrounding fabric material.

[Punkinhead]

For under $10 from Amazon or the local auto parts store it's worth owning a set of plastic trim removal tools so you don't scrape up your panels.

[Jim Agile]

Originally Posted by N147JK

Those are common decorative screw head covers. Just put a screwdriver under an edge and pry up - they will pop right off. Or, use a plastic tool for this purpose. This will expose the underlying screw head. Go gently so as not to damage the surrounding fabric material.

Thanks, good to know.

[Jim Agile]

Originally Posted by Punkinhead

For under $10 from Amazon or the local auto parts store it's worth owning a set of plastic trim removal tools so you don't scrape up your panels.

I am ordering a set of these. Thanks for the tip.

[booster]

When using any of the removal tools on a soft or fragile surface it is good to use a something to protect the surface and spread out the load. Old credit cards or drivers licenses even work pretty well. I use a small piece so plastic sheet about the same thinkness as the credit cards, but larger, very fragile surfaces and a small piece of aluminum sheet on hard surfaces and hard to pry off retainers.

[david@davidfischer.com]

Thanks for all the good advice. Does anyone here have a link (Amazon?) for replacement fabric covers?
Thanks
-David

[tarp]

Check a local auto upholstery supply. They won't have the buttons though. Save the buttons. I re did mine (grey) with auto vinyl they suggested and I was successful getting matching vinyl buttons on Amazon. It wasn't easy; though the steps sound easy. The panels that curve are the hardest to get smooth and you really get just one chance when using the glue. You will need to buy or retain foam backing for this also.

[phantomjock]

Great conversation - and just what I was going to ask; "How do you get the buttons off so you can pull wire, etc."

A real wealth of experience here. Thanks and,

Cheers - Jim