I am in the process of repainting/dyeing the deluxe door panels on my '69. I have purchased new carpet for the lower portion, and am pretty much ready to go. However, I really should remove the window felt/molding that looks to be riveted to the door panel.

What's the easiest way to remove these? I plan on replacing the molding/felt with new ones. If I drill out the rivets, I take it I'll need a rivet gun to install the new ones?

Just hoping someone with experience doing this can help me out.

Thanks.

The original felts were installed using wire staples. I carefully removed and re-used the staples as the repro felts use rivets.

I just checked my panels. Very odd. I can see where the staples WERE in the felts, but now they are clearly riveted on in almost the same place.

I guess I can just drill out the rivets and re-rivet on the new ones? Or should I attempt at restapling them?