How to Remove Stainless Steel Rocker Panels

In 1992 the hot trend in custom cars and trucks was installing stainless steel rocker panels, which were strips of stainless steel with adhesive on the backside. These were considered to improve the look of a car back then, but today, it's just a sign of how old your car really is. If you want to remove the old stainless steel rocker panels, there may be some difficulty, but you can accomplish it with basic materials.

Instructions

1

Heat one end of the stainless steel rocker panel using the heat gun.

2

Pry back the edge of the panel using the plastic putty knife until you have enough of the panel peeled up that you can either grip it with your hands or with the vice grips.

3

Clamp the vice grips onto the edge of the stainless steel rocker panel, and pull it against the rest of the rocker panel so that you're peeling it away from the car. While pulling with one hand, use the other to heat the gap between the rocker panel and the car, loosening the glue while you pull.

4

Insert the eraser wheel into the drill, and use the wheel on the surface where the stainless steel rocker panel was previously. Use the eraser wheel to remove all of the old glue, making sure to move the drill frequently so that you don't burn the paint.

5

Clean the panel with the automotive detailing spray and a microfiber towel, turning it frequently so you always have a fresh surface to clean with.