Tip for September 2006:
Working with Photoetched Pieces

If you've never worked with photoetched parts before, it can be a bit daunting. After you've paid for nice, delicate trim pieces like these, you won't want them bent, lost forever on the floor, or held in place with a huge, ugly gob of glue.
 
To remove the part, lay the runner on a piece of glass and cut as close to the part as possible using a new X-Acto blade. Don't try to cut on a wooden or plastic surface, as you may end up pushing the part into the softer material and bending the part. I also find that clippers can make somewhat rough cuts compared to a good straight blade. If there are any sharp corners left at the separation point, you can remove them by carefully running the edge of the part against a sanding stick. Once the part is clean and ready to go, to can apply it to the car using 5-minute epoxy, gloss clear coat, or clear nail polish. Avoid super glue, as it may fog the paint around the part and it can be nearly impossible to clean later. The modeling adage of "less is more" holds true here more than ever: these parts weigh so little, you need almost no glue to hold them in place.