Best way to cut lower trim plastic?

[03_4x4Runner]

I want to trim the front and rear lower plastic for better approach and departure angles on my 14 limited. To those who have trimmed the plastic parts what is the best method of cutting to do minimal paint damage and get a straight cut. The parts will not be taken off the vehicle to do this. Does a sharp heavy duty knife work?

 

[Hellamatic]

Lay masking tape across the area to be cut, and use a jigsaw with a fairly fine blade. Take it slow and be precise

 

[2014 Warthog]

Heh, I've sort of been waiting to actually scrape my front bumper plastic before doing this same thing

I HAVE cut sections out of both my front and read bumper covers though. As [MENTION=336]03_4x4Runner[/MENTION] said, tape the cut line well. I used a dremel with a cutting blade on it. Though any small saw with a fine tooth blade would work.

I think though that sadly the cut line will end up a tiny bit raggedy no matter what. Might not be too noticeable unless you get up close though. There are edge trims you can put on but in that location they would probably just get scraped or wind blown off as your driving...

 

[cbielat]

I used a dremel with a small thin disk but it melted the plastic when cutting.

 

[wfo9]

Not removing the piece first is probably going to make it very hard to pull off a good clean job....

tape a line then Jigsaw probably makes the most sense and then some sanding... A long belt sander would be best, to get it perfectly flat and smooth.

I've also used a box cutter/xacto before with a propane torch to get the blade red hot.. It works fantastic for very detailed areas... If you do it right. it cuts like butter.

You still may need to paint the remaining exposed cut line to hide it....

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Not removing the piece first is probably going to make it very hard to pull off a good clean job....

tape a line then Jigsaw probably makes the most sense and then some sanding... A long belt sander would be best, to get it perfectly flat and smooth.

I've also used a box cutter/xacto before with a propane torch to get the blade red hot.. It works fantastic for very detailed areas... If you do it right. it cuts like butter.

You still may need to paint the remaining exposed cut line to hide it....

I never thought about heating a knife. This may be just what I need for the more exposed areas like around the rear hitch. A dremmel may work in the other more hidden areas. I think some of the areas I will be cutting will be to irregular of a surface to use a jig saw and with the panel on the 4unner it will probably break a lot of blades hitting things behind it. .

 

[Seattle206]

Took a dremel ans started away until the rub went away. I still need to touch up the area with oem paint. Will post pictures this weekend.

 

[Miguelon]

I want to trim the front and rear lower plastic for better approach and departure angles on my 14 limited. To those who have trimmed the plastic parts what is the best method of cutting to do minimal paint damage and get a straight cut. The parts will not be taken off the vehicle to do this. Does a sharp heavy duty knife work?

Dremel and a cutting bit. Not a cut off wheel ( it will just melt the plastic). It looks like a drill bit. I had to trim off 90% of my rear OEM bumper and this worked like a hot knife through butter

Dremel 561 Multi-Purpose Cutting Bit | ATG Stores

 

[Rorck]

I did what wfo9 mentioned. I heated a box cutter knife and cut to fit these LEDs. It really does cut like butter.