How To Replace Wing Inserts?

[peterd_pd]

I'm a new memeber and I apologise if this question has been asked previoulsy, although I have tried to check and couldn't find anything.

I need to know how to remove and respray the plastic inserts (rub bars?) on each of the front and rear wings. These are the painted silver (the same colour of the wing)and have become very scraped (due to my own and other people's bad parking).

I have an Avensis D4D Colour Collection (Silver) 2.0, registered March 07.

1) Firstly how do I get them off (do I just prize them off with a screwdriver)?

2) They are badly scraped (looks black) so how should I go about sanding them down or filling?

3) Is it possible/sensible to spray them myself (using a can of spray paint) or would it be better to get them professionaly sprayed?

4) How do I get them back on (just push into place)?

The other possibility is to buy replacements but I expect that would be expensive.

Many thanks in anticipation.

PeterD

[Fitter]

I'm a new memeber and I apologise if this question has been asked previoulsy, although I have tried to check and couldn't find anything.

I need to know how to remove and respray the plastic inserts (rub bars?) on each of the front and rear wings. These are the painted silver (the same colour of the wing)and have become very scraped (due to my own and other people's bad parking).

I have an Avensis D4D Colour Collection (Silver) 2.0, registered March 07.

1) Firstly how do I get them off (do I just prize them off with a screwdriver)?

2) They are badly scraped (looks black) so how should I go about sanding them down or filling?

3) Is it possible/sensible to spray them myself (using a can of spray paint) or would it be better to get them professionaly sprayed?

4) How do I get them back on (just push into place)?

The other possibility is to buy replacements but I expect that would be expensive.

Many thanks in anticipation.

PeterD

If your car is 2003 + wrap some adhesive tape around a flat headed screwdriver and lever off the moulding. They just press back in. If it is an earlier model, I believe they are held on by tape. The moulding has to be heated using a heat lamp or hair dryer and then some piano wire is inserted behing the moulding and pulled along to break the bond. It is possible to sand and fill them and respray with a can. The problem is getting matching paint, most motor factors don't stock Toyota paint sprays so you may have to go to Mr T.

Fitter

[peterd_pd]

Many thanks for the fast response and very helpful instructions and comments.

I have another question concerning air conditioning and would appreciate your views on that also, if possible.

I will post as a separate topic.