An installation apparatus for mounting a garnish having at least one attachment element onto a pillar frame structure of a vehicle can include a handle portion and a J-shaped portion located at one end of the handle portion. The J-shaped portion can include a shorter member configured to engage the vehicle from a bottom area of the pillar frame structure to create a hinge point, and a longer member configured to engage the garnish and attachment structure. The garnish can be installed to the pillar frame structure when pivoting the handle of the apparatus about the hinge point downward and towards an interior of the vehicle.