2.) Now that you have the materials together, you need to start in on the car. Begin by giving it a good wash, making sure you use a soap or detergent meant for auto finishes. Never, EVER use dish soap or laundry detergent! They both have nasty chemicals that can possibly attack plastic parts, not to mention they will also strip wax of the finish.
3.) The next thing you need to do is move the car into an area where you can work that is well lighted and ideally protected from weather, like a garage or shed. If this is the first time you have done a major detailing like this, it could very well take you more than a day. Once this is done, the fun begins!
4.) Trim removal - it’s scary at times, but by removing as much of the trim as possible, you will get the best results. Remember, this is not something one does every few months - a major detailing like this is really only necessary once a year, depending on the car’s usage and climate.
Some trim pieces, like the bottom edge of the trunk lid, are secured using studs and small nuts. If you look behind the trim, you’ll see the fasteners. Others are a little more tricky, and involve some careful work to remove them without damage. As long as you move slowly, you should be able to remove everything without damage.
Belt molding is usually secured with a stud and nut at one end, usually the trailing end in the case of a door. Remove the nut, then gently pry out from the body with a non-metallic tool - I found this paint scraper works very nice and won’t damage the paint. Now - the belt trim is almost off, but there’s that last fastener at the front edge of the door holding it on! It’s a hook - push the trim forward and release the hook, and the trim should come free.
Rear quarter belt molding is held on with a nut and stud at the trunk opening, and regular push in (“bullet)” clips along the remainder of its length.
Badges can be carefully pried off - don’t panic if you distort it or bend it - it’s soft enough to be bent back into it’s original shape if you’re careful.
Cowl trim is often a mystery. Don’t let it be. Look carefully for some small “squares” in the grille. In the center of these squares is an even smaller square, maybe 1-2 mm square. Find a blunt object, like a small pin punch, and push these small squares out, into the cowl. Don’t panic - we’ll get them out! Once this is done, pry the larger squares out, and you’ll discover how the cowl moldings or grilles are attached.
