Driver-side A-pillar Garnish Removal Quandary

[ARCHINSTL]

I have a couple of rust spots on the door jamb side of the DS A-pillar. I wirebrushed them and they do not appear to be through the metal.
My problem is - how to remove the plastic "garnish" piece to check the inside of the A-pillar.
It is attached by three clips, the upper and lower being sort of a C-type very stiff spring that is hard to figger how to open - don't want to pry too hard, as the plastic might break. The center is a straight-forward insert piece (which is already loose).
Neither the FSM nor AZ's site show hints on how to safely remove the piece.
Anyone ever do this?
Thanks,
Tom M.

[Petros]

I have taken these off several times: The upper and center one pop straight out, get under the trim with a putty knife or similar flat tool, right up next to the clip, and pry it straight out carefully until they are free. Once the top and center clip are free you lift the trim so the lower clip comes straight up and it slips out. The lower one is kind of hooked shaped and slips out by pulling up on the trim part.

Do not try to pry the lower one out, only the top and center clips come straight out. The lower one will only come free by tugging up on the trim part. Once you have it out you will see how it attaches (once it is too late of course if you tugged on it the wrong way).

Also, the A-pillar trim is exposed to sunlight more than most trim and will get very brittle. So use a lot of caution in both removing and reinstalling it. I have got them off before no problem, only to damage it pushing it back on! At least this is the same trim as used on the 2wd hatch and 4-door, so they are a bit more common than other trim that only comes on the wagon.

Wait until you have to removed the large side trim panels around the rear side windows, very similar where some are popped free and others are slipped out. Almost no way to get it out without breaking something off.

Good luck.

[ARCHINSTL]

Petros' advice was perfect (as expected); Thanks!

I might mention that once the panel is off, it is virtually impossible to see the inside of the A-pillar, as there are only the two clip slots and a clip hole in the "outer skin" to peer inside. After much maneuvering with a mirror and flashlight, it appeared there was no rust inside. So - apparently the rusting was only on the outside, which I took care of.
Tom M.