Has anyone tried removing the entire antenna base from the car? I'm trying to remove it to prep my car for paint. Thanks in advance for your response.

 

Just taped around mine!

 

When you painted your car, was it difficult to paint around it? I really don't like the idea of painting around that rear trim piece around the soft top along with the antenna base.

 

Here it's from top to bottom; first you need to unscrew the antenna, then the antenna nuts(has 2 or more grooves on top of the nut), just between the antenna and the base(black rubber piece seatflush on the body=called the Spacer), you remove this nut with a small plier tip, or an oring retainer plier(becarefull not to slip and scratch the nut). Once the nut is off just pull the black(SPACER) then the antenna amplifier from the inside trunk just drop, then you'r done (may have to remove the inside trunk trim to put a masking tape from inside to block paint from going inside the trunk from the antenna hole. Good luck man.
Piece of mind may used a thick rubber glove over the plier tips to prevent scratches.
An

 

I have a special tool that I got at an auto parts store. It fits the S and also my GM type antenna base. It removes it without scratching it. I will look for it on the net.

 

I have something like this.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P6...ore&dir=catalog

 

There you go, thats the right tool.