I am in the process of dechroming my 2019 hardtop and ordered the black trim rings and grill trim ring. Has any body done this themselves? Most of the U-Tube videos I watched had people breaking all the tabs off the existing rings. I'd prefer to not break them to have for spares if possible. Sales guy told the the fronts were easy and he wouldn't touch the rears or the grill. Suggested I have a body shop do it.

Advice from those with experience doing it?

 

I removed my headlight rings. The silver wrap (super cheap) was starting to peel and curl. I eventually plasti-dipped mine. My passenger side ring had one tab that broke. I originally glued the tab back and it held for about a year. Now, it's loose (still holds). Those rings are super cheap feeling with tiny tabs. I should probably buy spares in case my passenger ring flies off.

I started to remove my tail light rings, but they were on really tight. I didn't have good tools at the time so I gave up. Subsequently, I bought plastic removal tools which I'll try again someday.

So I don't really have good advice except a warning that it is easy to break the tiny tabs.

 

I used a plastic trim tool to get my rear light rings off when I got my UJ lights. They came with a pair of glass black ones. Was kinda tough but Not the same tabs as the front so less breakable. I did my grill in vinyl while it was on the car.

 

Since yours is a 2019 I'm assuming it's an F56, not an R56 (your post title says R56).

I changed out front and rear on mine. With the front things weren't too bad so long as I was careful, though @Scypio 's warning about the tabs being a little delicate is on point. There was already a bunch of glue on multiple tabs (I am the 2nd owner of the car, so that happened under 1st owner).

The rears -- the big thing that you won't find out there for guidance is that the tabs on the lamp assembly itself can break easily if you try to force things (whether force off or force on). So take your time, and if you get frustrated be clear that you may break a tab. There aren't a lot of tabs, so you really don't have any to spare. I have one that is definitely cracked now -- but so far things are sitting tight enough. If I feel the need to secure it further I'll use a putty product (one of those things that stays soft but holds well).