How does this IUP brushed aluminum part removed without bending/warping/scratching, etc?

Willie

 

i wouldn't mess with the covers to be honest, as they seem to be integrated into the airbag deployment mechanism.
however, IF there is a way to remove the cover alone without damaging the airbag, it can only be done once you've fully removed the airbag:

. Disconnect the battery
. Open the glove compartment and lower it all the way (squeeze the sides in and pull it down)
. Reach out above the glove compartment behind the airbag, and unplug the Airbag harness.
. now find the 2 bolts holding the passenger airbag assembly in place and remove them.
. the airbag is now simply held in place by about 16 clips.. 6 above, 6 below and 2 on each side.. you should be able to push the bottom ones out with your finger from behind the panel to ease the airbag out.
. be careful here and take your time

You should now have the entire passenger airbag assembly along with the IUP panel attached.

good luck (and post pics!)

 

Thanks Louie. Here's a pic of my wife's '05 without IUP. I thought the brushed aluminum pieces on the IUP option were somehow glued? to the base plastic panel such as you see in this pic?? I didn't think you had the remove the entire panel....

Willie

 

seeing the non-IUP airbag from your wife's car, i'm almost certain both the IUP and non IUP panels are attached to the airbag assembly in the same manner.
after all, the IUP panels aren't just glued over the non IUP ones.. they simply replace them.
so even if you were to do the same with your wife's car.. you would have to remove the airbag to pry that panel off without damaging the airbag:S