I've been able to figure out the majority of the prep work so far, but I haven't been able to get the trim off from the doors and quarter panels (the line at around hip level that they got rid of after the '79 model). How do people generally do this?

 

The chrome base w/ rubber bumpers (to prevent door dings) right?

You drill out the rivets and solder up the holes.

 

Sweet, thanks. So if I plan on replacing them after the pain job I'd just skip soldering in the holes and put them back on with a new set of rivets?

 

I personally wouldn't put them back on for 2 reasons (I removed / filled mine):
#1: They are notorious for causing rust.
#2: They are ugly.

 

I would like to add that they don't actually protect the car from car door dents. people in low cars like accords or civics see your car when they are getting out so they avoid hitting your door, but people in SUV's or trucks don't see your car all the time when they are getting out and there doors are too high to hit the bumper so they just hit metal, I have the dents to prove it.

 

Ah, that's brutal. Yeah, after a half hour or so spent in the gallery comparing those with and without them, I agree. No use keeping them on.

With any luck today I'll be finishing knocking dings out of it and it'll be sanding/bondo/priming time. My goal is to finish painting by the end of my winter vacation… only slightly skeptical.