I have decided to remove the plastic side trim from my XJ. It's my understanding that it's all adhesive but would like any tips if anyone has any?

Does it look good without it?

 

It's just 3M foam tape, but it's a pain in the butt to get them off without scratching the paint and it takes forever to get the foam and glue off the body, but it looks great without them!! I have none on mine, but I also have bedlinered sides so a pic wouldn't help.
P.S.
A plastic putty knife is definitely your best friend for this job, and acetone and rags work to get the adhesive off

 

A heat gun will soften the adhesive making it pull off easier, then you take mineral spirits and get the glue off. +1 on the plastic putty knife, but still use with caution. Heat the plastic until you can peel the stuff off the side. Be careful that you don't get your paint hot though.

 

I removed mine on a warm day using plastic panel removal tools like these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece...set-67021.html

Then removed the remaining adhesive with 3M adhesive remover and heat gun.

Here is the Jeep with the trim removed.

 

Your truck looks great. Thx

 

Thanks *****, it looked exactly like yours (except the color) when I bought it in 2007. Just now starting to get into 4wheeling. Enjoy yours!

 

I pealed mine off in about 2 minutes. No residue left. I was giggling while doing it. But mine is an 89 so maybe the glue was just past its lifespan.

 

+1 on the 3M adhesive remover and heat gun. That's how I did mine, with no scratching. To be more specific:

Pull the trim off first. You'll be left with grey lines of tape residue left. Soak the residue a body panel at a time with the 3M. Just squirt some just above it and let it run down and soak the tape.

Put your heat gun on a medium setting and aim it at the tape. What you want to watch for is the tape kind of puffing up slightly. The surface will just get a bit of fluff to it. Probably waving it over any point on the tape for no more than 5-7 seconds or so at that point you have it hot enough to remove, but not hot enough to ruin the paint.

Now, here's where it's best to have callouses on you hands. Use your thumb to kind of roll the tape off the body panel. Yes, you can use plastic scrapers, but for me, the thumb method was actually easier, less labor intensive, and eliminated the possibility of scratching anything. If it's too hot to touch, give it 20-30 seconds to cool down first, and use that as a guide to adjust either your heat or your timing with the gun. Anyway, the residue will roll up into little wads as you press the ball of your thumb along it. Your thumb will need a two-day vacation when you're done, but it works well. Just work on a 8-10 inch section at a time and you'll have it all off in about an hour or so.

Before:




After:

 

My '98 came off no problem, no heat! Glue came off with Acetone no problem.

Before


After

 

To remove badges from motorcycle tanks ( similar adhesive ) we use monofilament fishing line and a 3M adhesive remover.

Pour a little adhesive remover along the top of the trim piece and use the fishing line to work it in behind the trim piece.

Any remaining residue can be removed by wiping with adhesive remover soaked SOFT COTTON RAGS.