B Pillar Applique

[BLPilot]

Has anyone ever replaced the B Pillar applique on their Ranger before? There was a recent storm and it looks like some water got in there. A small crack formed in the plastic towards the bottom as well. I want to try to get it replaced to prevent rust. Has anyone replaced it themselves before?

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[Dr_Strangelove]

https://www.rvinyl.com/Ford-Ranger-2019-2022-Crew-Cab-Pillar-Post-Trim

Never done it but I'd imagine the procedure is not unlike any other vinyl remove/replace which would be:

1) Remove old vinyl
2) Clean thoroughly with alcohol and ensure all residue removed and alcohol evaporated.
3) Install new vinyl
4) Beers

 

[Grumpaw]

Take a heat gun/wife's hairdryer on low heat and just remove the whole thing. Body color paint underneath, and looks better without the vinyl (just my opinion).
For info, the vinyl that is used on the pillars is much thicker (2-3 times thicker) than the usual stuff you'll find readily available.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Folks, like @Grumpaw and @Friday yet? have intentionally removed it to expose the factory door paint underneath and are happy with it. Just a hair dryer to loosen it for removal.

Haha - I see Steve was posting while I was typing. ?

 

[BLPilot]

@Grumpaw @DukeCanBuildit The bare paint actually looks pretty good. I'm contemplating it now lol.

 

[subquark]

I wanna do this too, but I have my window deflector double-back taped to it. Maybe in the spring I'll see what I need to do. I'd rather show More Race Red Baby!!!

 

[Grumpaw]

I wanna do this too, but I have my window deflector double-back taped to it. Maybe in the spring I'll see what I need to do. I'd rather show More Race Red Baby!!!

David....if you use a heat gun/hair dryer, as you pull the vinyl off and get to the small area under the protector, the vinyl should be "soft" enough to tear around the edge of the protector....

 

[subquark]

David....if you use a heat gun/hair dryer, as you pull the vinyl off and get to the small area under the protector, the vinyl should be "soft" enough to tear around the edge of the protector....

Ooh, I was thinking an X-Acto knife but would surely cut the paint.

That's a great tip and now I'm doing it for sure. I have a Milwaukee heat gun but if a hair dryer is sufficient, I'll more likely cause less carnage with that.

oops ... too much heat?

 

[paval3]

I don't intend to remove it, but for some reason watched a You Tube video the other day on the removal process. I don't remember if the link to the video was posted here on the forum in a different thread, or if I just came upon it in You Tube. Really though, it just looked like the guy in the video started at the top edge and peeled down slowly and it looked like it came off in one piece.

 

[Grumpaw]

I don't intend to remove it, but for some reason watched a You Tube video the other day on the removal process. I don't remember if the link to the video was posted here on the forum in a different thread, or if I just came upon it in You Tube. Really though, it just looked like the guy in the video started at the top edge and peeled down slowly and it looked like it came off in one piece.

It can be removed without a heat gun/hairdryer, but only on a warm/hot day with the vehicle in the sun. Otherwise the vinyl has a tendency to tear into pieces in cooler weather.
Just best to use a heat gun on low, 6-8 inches away from surface while "waving" it back n forth.
Your not going to hurt the paint by using a heat gun, especially on low heat setting.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Ooh, I was thinking an X-Acto knife but would surely cut the paint.

That's a great tip and now I'm doing it for sure. I have a Milwaukee heat gun but if a hair dryer is sufficient, I'll more likely cause less carnage with that.

oops ... too much heat?

Someone used a Harbor Freight heat gun...

 

[Socalnative]

I didn’t have damage but I did have really bad fading to the B pillar applique on both sides and was looking to replace them which meant removing the vent shades/3M adhesive I originally had on which was a pain in the ass BUT found these domed carbon fiber accent trims on Americantruck.com ($189) and they turned out pretty cool.

They also sell color matched mirror housing ($75) and door handle covers ($57)

 

[Friday yet?]

I don't intend to remove it, but for some reason watched a You Tube video the other day on the removal process. I don't remember if the link to the video was posted here on the forum in a different thread, or if I just came upon it in You Tube. Really though, it just looked like the guy in the video started at the top edge and peeled down slowly and it looked like it came off in one piece.

I started at the bottom edge. No heat gun/hair dryer. Just picked at a corner until I had enough to grab, then slow and steady. It did tear a couple of times but I'd just grab the spot where it tore and continue with slow and steady. It was a very quick process. Seriously, maybe a minute for each piece?

Edit: While my truck was in the garage, it was a summer day. So even in the garage it was probably.... 75+ degrees maybe? Definitely not cold. Would not try this in cold weather.

 

[Friday yet?]

Ooh, I was thinking an X-Acto knife but would surely cut the paint.

That's a great tip and now I'm doing it for sure. I have a Milwaukee heat gun but if a hair dryer is sufficient, I'll more likely cause less carnage with that.

oops ... too much heat?

Even burned those square wheel wells continue to look like shit.

 

[Friday yet?]

Folks, like @Grumpaw and @Friday yet? have intentionally removed it to expose the factory door paint underneath and are happy with it. Just a hair dryer to loosen it for removal.

Haha - I see Steve was posting while I was typing. ?

Wow............ look at all that blue...

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