I'm wanting to remove the side molding from my XJ and either clean it really good, or paint it. What do i need to do to remove it without messing anything up? I'm wanting to put them back on once i paint them. Thanks

well the side molding is different for different years.

overall though, that shouldnt matter too much. mine came off very easily. it was just held on by some sort of glue. if youre putting them back it'll just require some sort of adhesive.

i'm thinking i'm going to herculine the rocker area on mine though.

FISHING LINE !!!

Use fishing line to "Cut" the glue, Then some WD40 to clean it up.....

goo gone also works great to get the sticky stuff off.

I ripped mine off and then used a cutting wheel to "hot knife" it off and then sanded it primed and painted.
If you search "Budget paint job" I think I took pictures of it.
Also finished pictures of it

I used a heat gun and it practically peeled off by itself.

Goo Gone to get rid of the residue, and don't be stingy with it.

ok, if yours is hanging off like mine was, then be careful pulling it off. Start with one side and very slowly pulling it and look where it used to be and make sure there is no damage to your paint. If you see the smallest bit of paint coming up, STOP. if its coming up that means pieces of paint are gonna come up all along where its at (thats what i didnt do and now i have to get another thing of touch up lol) If you cant get the molding and glue to come off at the same time, dont worry and definitely dont just pull it off. Thats all i can really give you cause i didnt do the rest the best way. I would definitely try the fishing line idea, i wish i would have thought of that.

why not just use newspaper to cover the area around it and paint it that way.

I wouldn't peel it off without some heat, you might peel some paint off otherwise.

yup wish i had of used heat, but if the glue seems to be hard and looks like mine( check the profile pics) then go ahead and get a 3M eraser wheel cause if its like mine then thats the only way to get it off.

Boiling water (tea kettle) and a plastic scraper take the tape off pretty well. I'm using a bicycle tire lever. Goof off didn't really do much, but will probably help with the bit of residue that is left after the tape is off.

I'm not sure I would use Goof Off. It has been known to remove automotive paint.

Goo Gone is gentler and shouldn't damage the paint. I have read a few "OH NO I ****ED MY PAINT" threads where people mixed these two up.

I have heard that on the 1996 and earlier models, using a heat gun on the black door trim will return them to black and shiny.

True... for about a month.