Removing salon panels

[tgherzog]

I need to remove the skyscreen in my salon (2016 C37) for repairs, and to do so I need to remove the four ceiling panels that cover the frame as shown in the attached picture. The skyscreen manufacturer says these are held in place with some sort of plastic fastener and "should pop out easily if you pull on them." To me that's a leap of faith. Has anyone ever done this (successfully)? Is it as easy as he made it sound - and just as easy to put back?

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[km1125]

I'm not sure what was used on your model, but a similar Sea Ray design used "christmas tree" fasterners, like these

https://www.amazon.com/christmas-tree-f ... +fasteners

You just pull (or pry) the panels down. Sometimes the fasteners break and need to be replaced. Other times they some loose and can just be pushed back in place.

[Viper]

I agree with km, a lot of panels I've dealt with were held in place that way. I get what you mean though, it's definitely nerve wracking to pull when you think you might be breaking something. It's a leap of faith but if you can't see any other way they could have fastened the panels, then the plastic retainers are most likely what's been used. Pry a little at a time along the length of each panel so you until the panel comes loose. Depending on its construction, prying only one corner all at once could result in the panel breaking. Use flat pry bars. I have a few good stainless ones that I use for this type of job, they work great. If you're worried about marring the vinyl, cover the bar with a clean ray before inserting the bar.

Good luck and let us know how it goes and what you did.

[tgherzog]

QR_BBPOST I agree with km, a lot of panels I've dealt with were held in place that way. I get what you mean though, it's definitely nerve wracking to pull when you think you might be breaking something. It's a leap of faith but if you can't see any other way they could have fastened the panels, then the plastic retainers are most likely what's been used. Pry a little at a time along the length of each panel so you until the panel comes loose. Depending on its construction, prying only one corner all at once could result in the panel breaking. Use flat pry bars. I have a few good stainless ones that I use for this type of job, they work great. If you're worried about marring the vinyl, cover the bar with a clean ray before inserting the bar.

Good luck and let us know how it goes and what you did.

Finally got back around to this, and y'all were right. The panels employ christmas tree fasteners and pull down easily. They push back in place almost as easily. I got some spare fasteners on Amazon just in case anything broke on the way back in, but I didn't need them. Thanks for your help.

[Viper]

Good to know it worked out