Abstract: A cover for protecting a surface of a motor vehicle component, e.g., an air bag module, includes a body portion and a retention structure. Such structure is fixed with respect to the body portion or the module and retains the cover in a protective relationship to the surface. The module has an edge around the surface and a new method for protecting the module surface includes overlaying the surface with the protective cover having a cover lip at the module edge. An instrument panel member is positioned adjacent to the edge and the protective cover is thereafter removed from the surface and the edge. A new combination is also disclosed.