Removing snap-on chrome grill insert? [Pics]

Hi all,

I bought a Tacoma last week and I cannot for the life of me get this chrome grill insert off!
There are 8 tabs which hold it on. I tried sliding cut up pieces of an old credit card inbetween them, but it wont budge! I was pulling so hard I was bending the whole grill.

Here is one site that sells them advertising that they just snap in: http://www.autoamenity.com/Chrome-Grill/GI-101-Chrome-Grill-Insert-Toyota-Tacoma.htm


I am hoping I am just being thick and missing something. Can anyone chime in?

Thanks!

 

can you release a clip with your finger or a small tool, like a bike tire tool (plastic)?

If you can, you should be able to put in your CC bits to keep it from resnapping while you release another, and work your way around.

 

I pried my tabs open and then slipped in washers I had on hand. Once I had all the tabs wedged with washers it just took a little push and then it sounded like a slot machine paying off.

 

This is exactly what I tried doing! (if I am understanding you correctly)

What I did was pry up a tab, and put a piece of credit card under it to keep it from locking. I did this on all 8 tabs and it still wouldnt budge!

 

Hm washers might work better! Maybe the credit cards were bending or the edges were getting caught on the numbers?? I will try this!

 

Gotcha. Wonder if the installer hit it with an adhesive of some type.

Maybe see if you can find a party local to you who'd be interested in a full swap?

While there are lots of chrome haters around, there are some out there who like shiny stuff to. If there wasn't, stuff like that wouldn't be made.

Good luck!

 

I'm willing to bet that there is 3M double-sided adhesive in between that chrome piece and the stock grill. In order to remove it you'll need to heat up the front of that with a hairdryer. To the point you can't touch it almost. Once it's nice & hot you should be able to sneak a flat head screwdriver between them & pry it off.

Best of luck!

 

I have one of those boxes of assorted washers so I was able to use some of thinner ones and they worked perfect. But you could probably use something like Dimes if you don't have enough washers. Dimes may work better anyway.

 

From the eBay description of this product:

"Chrome Remedies"™ Grille Overlays.Overlays are car specific and engineered to fit precisely over and into the original factory grille assembly. No drilling, cutting or bolting to deal with. All of our Chrome Remedies™ Grille Overlays either snap into place or are installed using pre-applied two sided tape. These grille overlays are not replacing your factory grille!

• Made of Triple Chrome Plated ABS Material
• Easy Installation (Stick-On or Snap-On)
• Mirror-like Finish

 

Only if someone added it later on. I bought a used grill on CL to sand and paint vs using my OE one and there wasn't any adhesive of any kind. Just the tabs holding it in from the surround.

 

Well, there you go then... Can't think of any other reason it would not just snap off...

 

Homer, I'm sure there is 3M holding the overlay on, but I think he's trying to remove the whole insert that the overlay is on. If he's trying to remove the overlay, I would personally remove the insert and work on getting the overlay off that instead of dealing with the whole assembly.

 

I am just trying to remove the middle chrome part so my grill looks like this:


Man I hope they didnt use 3M

If so, I bet they used it on the chrome on the handles too!

 

aw CRAP!

The handles are for sure 3M'd!!!!

From the same website:
Peel off the wax papers, position, and carefully press into place.
After your chrome trim accessory items have been fitted and pressed to the vehicle surface, rub each piece firmly with a soft cloth to help ensure that it is seated securely. You may want to come back a few hours later, or the next day, to give each piece of chrome trim another pressure rub to ensure the best adhesion.

Allow the molding adhesive to set up for at least 24 hours before washing your vehicle. Maximum adhesion is reached after 3-5 days in temperatures above 70 degrees, longer if it is cooler. Once the adhesive has fully bonded to a properly prepared surface, it is nearly impossible to remove the item without damaging it. As an example, customers have reported backing out of their garage and catching only the edge of a chrome mirror cover on the door opening, and breaking off the end of the chrome mirror cover without dislodging the rest of it.



Woe is me

 

Do what I said with heat - you can pry it off then.

 

Sounds like you should go satoshi!

 

I know a guy that makes kits for those!

 

Doh!

 

Yep.. heat will get the overlay off.

OP, you may want to still remove the inner insert just so you can wipe it all down with goo gone after you've heated and removed the overlay. I'm sure it's gonna leave some glue boogers behind. Once all the tabs are wedged it just takes a little bump to push the insert out. It's such a tight fit it won't just fall out. But once you've done it, you realize it's pretty easy to remove. Good luck. Hope it comes off and cleans up good.