Tailgate band removal

[mingoman]

These things are pretty expensive in the restoration trade plus, since I've never saw a GMC band, I needed to come up with a method to remove them, but not destroy them.
I use a 10" drywall knife to slide behind the band.
It's best after the tailgate has sat in the sun on a hot day, but it works even on a cool day if you take your time.
Slowly work your way around the entire band resisting the urge to pull, they are extremely flimsy.
I'm going to use the two Chevrolet bands as refinish test models before I work on the slightly less than stellar GMC band I've found gets a go.

[mingoman]

You could probably use a heat gun or hair dryer on high to loosen up the gum behind these as well.