04 civic 4 door

[Guest thetintshop]

here's how to remove the rear deck on the 04 civic 4 door.

those of you who cut around the brake light, or use computer-cut, there's no need for you to respond with "I just cut around them". we'll just assume it's either illegal to tint behind the third brake light in your state, or you don't want to go to this much trouble. okay?

first thing, find this 10mm bolt and take it out. it's located between the top and bottom cushions, just a little right of direct center. then lift the front of the seat up, it has clips holding it down. it will come right out.

[Guest thetintshop]

go ahead and remove the headrests. they'll be in the way later.

next, there is a 10mm bolt holding down each of the sides on the back seat. remove these.

but don't try to take it out until you read the next post.

[Guest thetintshop]

the little side cusions are held in by a plastic hook that is made to the cushion. if you break it, you can't fix it.

VERY GENTLY pull back on the piece just a little. use a door trim tool and stick in there and help pry it up.

[Guest thetintshop]

this is the way the back of it looks.

[Guest thetintshop]

next, remove the sail panels. they're held in by 5-6 little white clips. just grab the top edge and yank that mofo out.

[Guest thetintshop]

before you do anything else, slide the seatbelts through the opening. that little plastic thing will break if you skip this step.

[Guest thetintshop]

after that, remove the little round piece of plastic around the key lock. just use a door trim tool and pry it up.

next, lay on your back and slide into the trunk and unplug the third brake light. then use a pair of pliers and squeeze the clips together on the underside while lifting up on the deck. (like in the picture) you only need to get 2-3 towards the front of the car going and it will pop the rest out for you.

[Guest thetintshop]

slide the whole thing towards the front of the car. don't worry about the center seatbelt. it's not in the way.

just rest it between the back of the front seats and the back seat.

[Guest thetintshop]

and there it is. I usually fold the seats back up and lay the bottom cushion back in it. easier on the old knees.

now you have easy access to the ENTIRE back glass.

after tinting, reinstall in reverse order and you're done.

[Guest thetintshop]

now, doesn't this look better?

total time to remove and replace adds maybe 15-20 minutes to the job. depending on how fast you work.

this is without a doubt, one of the harder back sections to remove of any car. but once you've done it a couple times, it's pretty easy. and definately better than fighting that deck that's pressed against the glass.