Removing sill plates

[trace1967]

I have a bit of surface rust on the drivers side sill and I want to remove both sill plates to see the surface underneath and spray in the screw holes some rust protector for the inside of the sills, but I have no idea how to remove them apart from taking off the screws. they seem to be stuck on fast. How do I remove them without scratching the paint?

[OnlyMX5ives]

They have been stuck down.

Gentle prying is the only option.