1998 GC laredo rear louver removal

[dustin g]

Does anyone know how to remove the plastic body louvers behind the back side windows? The paint is nearly gone here and I want to take them off to paint. I have read that you simply pry them off but I tried that but was afraid of breaking the clips so it was only gently. What if a clip breaks? Do I have to replace a clip or the entire panel if this happens. Please help. I really want to fix this blemish but I don't want to make it worse.

 

[TerryMason]

I did some research and it appears that they just pop out.

I use a screwdriver between the rear window weatherstripping and the louvre to break the bond/seal and then carefully pull the back part of the louvre straight out. They use little plastic pegs that are easy to break.

and

Took mine off today to repaint them. I use a large screwdriver to pry from the back side. With the lift gate up I just slide the screwdriver in between the louver and the gasket for the liftgate and pryed out a little at a time. Three small pegs hold it on. One at the bottom that you can see if you look, 1 about middle way and 1 near the top. Mine came right off with no problem.

 

[dustin g]

Mission accomplished. It wasn't as bad as I thought. I can see how it can go wrong tho.
First pry ever so gently on the bottom of the panel by the clip. Then the middle then the top. The panel is held in by screws and gromits. The gromits are in holes in the metal and the screws are in these. The panel just clips into the screw heads. My Jeep being 12 years old the gromits were completely dry. The bottom two screws pulled right out of the gromits. The top gromit pulled out with the screw. The front of the panel was somewhat stuck to the window sealant. It just pried right off.
Installation was even easier. Just pick up some all weather silicone from any hardware store. Use a bead of silicone at the front of the panel where the original rubber seal was. If you can't find this rubber seal it could have decintegrated long ago. Mine was only half there. Remove all of this first. Also add a bead of silicon at each screw hole at the back to help refasten the old dry gromits. Bang the panel into place with your hands and done.
I hope this can help somebody else as I wasn't able to find this kind of write up on it anywhere.