mine just turn, nut and bolt. i tried using a opened end ratchet wrench and needle nose vice grips but i cant get to the outside bolts.
anyone have this problem? how did you get around it? what exactly is on the other side of the plastic connected to the bolt thats twisting?

 

Mine all came off with no issues. I know there was a posting here a while back where a guy had the same problem with 1 of his bolts. Try doing a search and see what you can find. You may want to search under appearance products too.

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ot...e-removal.html

yep, i already found that before i posted. my problem is, if i cut them. what do they look like? is this the only way around the problem i have?
i just want to take it off to paint it! HAHAHA

 

You could leave it on and mask it off to paint.

 

You may need a new surround. I had one of my bolts twisting, and the other 5 bolts willingly un-twisted. The problem is they are over torqued when re-installed. If they're turning then they broke the plastic mount on the surround and will never come out. And the surround will be useless once removed. I was lucky to only have one that broke and you cant even tell. Just remember, plastic, metal bolts, and torque, not a good thing. Just make it a snug tight fit.

You may as well mask and go at it. If you grind them all out you'll need a new surround since the plastic bolt mounts have been broken from over tightening. I did this first week I had my truck and it wasn't all too bad. Still looked great.

 

^^
thank ya sir!
pretty much what i was after..previous owner installed a bug shield and must have snapped them in the process. they turned without force the second i tried to remove them.
good thing i posted and didnt start hacking them off or it would be hanging there.