Figured I'd bring this back up. I "experimented" on how easy it was to remove the flairs on a junkyard disco - the answer is very easily!!!
I hate painting, and two of my flairs are heavily gouged, so will just go ahead and remove mine to make an easy job of this (replacing the gouged ones with junkyard issue parts.
The one thing I am not sure of is the best adhesive to use to re-apply them. The factory adhesive strip measures 5.5mm x 1.25mm, but would take 1/4" wide quite easily. The factory adhesive is more of a rubber than a foam. I see 3M make a LOT of different adhesives for this - which do you think would be best?

 

Thabks for the awesome writeup! Ill be doing this project this coming weekend.

 

I sanded mine down then rubbed them with alcohol, then taped em off n sprayed em with 2 coats of Rustoleum Leak Sealer, that stuff they did
a ton of commercials with the boat that stayed afloat with it. Also did the roof with it above the windshield that had rust going on since i couldn't handle a paint job i taped it off and sprayed a couple coats of Leak Sealer and it looks great! Stuff came out awesome. Just found this thread.