Once you have the Nails / Screws out,

Hold the rail ( I start from the front )with some pressure pulling out and up at the same time while heating up rail with a hair dryer , You can get them quite hot without damaging anything as long as you apply the heat directly on the rail , I have taken many off all types of pinball's without even bending them using this method.
A heat gun will also work but you need to be very careful as the heat from these is very intense and can damage art work on the cab , not to mention burn your hands real easy:)

Remember if you are any good with metal work , you can make many ramp protectors and Stainless parts from a single old rail.

Joey

Do you use the heat method on the older (EMs etc), or are you reffering to the newer machines with adhesive backing ?

I ask as most of the games I've done are oldies.. and the siderails usually just fall off once the nails are out !


Another tip - When re installing the siderails, push a toothpick into the hole and snip it to add more "bite" for the new nail. Tap the nail in, don't BANG it in like a traditional nail.