996t rust

[pkoc]

Whilst I was cleaning my 996t 04 plate yesterday, I noticed some bubbling paint each side around the kicker plates - which seems like an obvious water trap, just don't know how I' ve missed it before. A bit of agitation with my finder nail and there is definitely some surface rust. Is this a common problem?

Are kicker plates stuck on or screwed on.....and therefore how do you remove them?

I want to get the kicker plates off asap and rub back to protect the metal over the winter then get it sorted professionally along with some stone chips etc.in the spring.

Advice please?