Easy Way to Remove Plastic Covers on Rocker Panels?
 

Hi Folks
New to the forum, and couldn't locate a thread on this.

I want to remove the plastic covers above the running boards on my 99 Disco. It looks like rust is starting there and I plan to wire brush and apply por-15. What is the easiest way to remove these? I see that plugs in the bottom of the door jambs, but wow these are stuck in good? Who has done this? Any thoughts?


Thanks!

There is NOTHING fun about removing these bits, especially if the metal holding the plastic rivet (#79086L) is rusted.
The rockers tend to just crumble.
You can try a blunt punch to get the rivets out, but 9 out of 10 times I just drill them out.
A sharp drill bit and high speed is your friend here.
Go easy, follow the instructions, start drinking/swearing... and you'll get it done. GOOD LUCK!
Here is a link with some pics of the fun you will be facing once the sill covers are removed.
> https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rov...cement.103369/

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...16791b2a5d.png

wear gloves. that fiberglass is nasty

Thanks for all of the feedback! That looks like the spot but the plugs are a little different, they are not rivets unless I am missing something? Here a couple of photos. Is this thing can be a pain to get back on once I get if off?


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...b06902ed55.jpgYou can see the rusty hole where I removed this one.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...a60e129d88.jpg

Thanks! It does look different what I removed seemed to be a plastic plug not a rivet. Is this going to be a pain to get back on again too? Where is there fiberglass.

I will try and upload a couple of pics

thanks again

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...4323c7afbe.jpgThis is the plug I pulled out of the rusty hole on the right.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...0287168004.jpg

The short answer is YES because you are not doing STEP 3 and punching/drilling the center spreader insert (the square flat bit in the pic below) through the rivet.
The rivet is STILL EXPANDED...… You are making more work for yourself for sure trying to remove it like this!

If you are just using a panel popper tool to remove the rivet when it's still expanded you are going to enlarge the mounting hole.
Using "force" to pull the expanded rivet through rusty metal = :cry:

And if you don't like the rivet style sill fasteners then there are other types. Have at it and good luck!
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...04b91ea63f.png

If you haven't already gotten there, it's true joy removing the 10mm nuts and bolts that secure the front of these rockers to the fenders.

Yup, those things are rusted on there. I realized this was a job that I needed to dedicate much more time to. I carefully treated the lower rear part of the rocker panels with Por-15 while not entirely removing the covers. The rust didn't seem nearly as bad as I had thought. I appreciate all of the feedback, very helpful and help me avoid making a real mess of things!

Waxoyl is great for inside the sills.