In your case, unless you want to pull your Smittybilt off because it seems to be in the way, you'd probably be better off to mask and paint like Blazerguy said. I hate the thought of getting over-spray on the truck though. Mine came off easy, take your time taking the speed nuts off though, just give it a consistant force and not too much or you'll end up like blazerguy.

 

the over-spray possibility is why i have not done that yet...

 

well i kind of used the wrong tools to remove my bowtie which is why it broke use a socket and a ratchet not a socket and a set of needle nose pliers!!!!!!! (my ratchet went missing 2 days before i took the bowtie off and i couldnt make it to sears to buy a new one to i improvised) and on another note took the truck through a carwash and the brushes did not remove the bowtie from its spot so if you do break the studs use 3M BLACK moulding tape