Car Panel / Clip Removal / Interior Trim Tools

[oldschoolcraft]

As a home gamer I haven't had much experience working with panel clip tools or interior work. It's come to my attention that there's a vast array of different tools, and I dont understand what each one is for, and if we "need" one of each or if some are duplicative of each other. I dont know if these are different ways of doing the same thing.

I think all of these tools can be broken down into two categories:

• Clip-tools designed to remove the plastic clips by getting under them and allowing you to pop them out
• Wedging pry bars designed to get under the trim to separate it after the clips are removed, or for trim that friction snaps without clips

It also came to my attention from a post I saw a while back that you're not supposed to re-use the plastic clips. That they are one-time use only, and you replace with new ones, is that true? Which would mean a tool collection of these should include a variety pack of clips. I've seen them at Harbor Freight but I'm guessing nicer ones exist elsewhere.

My goal from this thread is to come up with a minimalist wish list of these tools that let me handle anything I might encounter. Minimalist doesnt mean one or two. It means not having duplicative ways of approaching the exact same thing. If I need 10 different tools, so be it. I think when it comes to interior trim, the plastic can be easily scuffed and damaged, so having the exact right tool rather than forcing the wrong tool to work is probably worth having a collection to avoid damaging the part of the car that people spend the most time looking at. But I dont want to wind up with a full drawer of these and only ever use two.

Here's the variety of stuff I've seen:

Aircraft skin wedge tool. I've seen versions with two different sizes to pry different things.



Angled fork prybar tool



The Prybar fork tools come in a variety of sizes and also in straight, instead of angled.




Then we have some wedge apart panel clip pliers of some kind:



And then there's these for clips that look like they just get underneath and pull up:

 

[mrbill55]

As the retired bodyshop owner on the forum, or one of them, you can never have too many tools....Of course, for the home user, I suggest looking for plastic tools, as you have less chance of damaging the items you are working on. There are all in one kits that can be rolled up in their carrying case and stuffed in a drawer of your toolbox. Yet, even with the proper tools, expect clips and fasteners to break as they age. In my old shop, I had a 10 drawer cabinet filled with every conceivable clip and fastener you could imagine. Well over $5,000 worth, and it got refilled on a weekly schedule.....Why, simple, every job, be it $500, or $20,000 job is one .20 fastener away from being delivered and out the door.

Just saying

Bill S.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I run the hf stuff for plastic clips myself. The plastic pry tools are to keep from damaging the plastic trim pieces

 

[toolenthusiast]

The clips are not ALL non-reusable. Plenty of them are, plenty of them aren’t. Most of them depend on if you’re ripping the car apart like a gorilla or if you’re disassembling the car with proper tools.

You should have a clip tool with a small “U”, one with a big “U”, and one or more nylon wedges/prybars. That will cover 99% of people who aren’t working on trim all day.

The Mueller-Kuepps 277008 is a joy to work with. They have sets with more options that are also great.

The nylon tools are so cheap that you might as well buy one of each set at Harbor Freight and decide for yourself which ones you like.

 

[Hakeem]

As the retired bodyshop owner on the forum, or one of them, you can never have too many tools....Of course, for the home user, I suggest looking for plastic tools, as you have less chance of damaging the items you are working on. There are all in one kits that can be rolled up in their carrying case and stuffed in a drawer of your toolbox. Yet, even with the proper tools, expect clips and fasteners to break as they age. In my old shop, I had a 10 drawer cabinet filled with every conceivable clip and fastener you could imagine. Well over $5,000 worth, and it got refilled on a weekly schedule.....Why, simple, every job, be it $500, or $20,000 job is one .20 fastener away from being delivered and out the door.

Just saying

Bill S.

Great input. Regarding the plastic clips, where did you source the replacements? Were they OEM?

I have an assortment from HF and they fit up ok but don’t seem as nice as the originals

 

[richfinn]

Don't forget an Air Wedge, I use mine a lot for removing interior trim, lockouts, creating a gap to get other tools into position.

 

[AEAdam]

I don’t have any metal clip tools. I have a bunch of the plastic pry bars. Start your kit with a couple old credit cards. You can’t pop trim off with them, but they come in handy just making a gap for the prybar. Sometimes the trim is that tight, or there’s a rubber gasket.

Plastic pry bars are one of the first tools I’d buy if I were starting over. On some cars you need these just to change a brake light.

 

[goldtang]

I have a selection of plastic ones, couple of two rivet type
and have used a the 4140 type not only on car trim but other applications as well
lost count of how many I have had not the tots fault but mine
i also have some plastic paint scrapers to get behind items

 

[mreisner]

I have a bunch of different trim tools also and this one is my go-to about 90% of the time. Yes it's a little pricey but it's lifetime warranty and you'll be amazed how handy it comes in for not only trim but tons of other things.

 

[seber]

Your local parts store will have a plastic set for five or six dollars that will do everything you need.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Don't forget an Air Wedge, I use mine a lot for removing interior trim, lockouts, creating a gap to get other tools into position.

That’s an awesome idea!

 

[redragoon]

The nylon pry tool kits from HF have worked well for me

 

[mrbill55]

Great input. Regarding the plastic clips, where did you source the replacements? Were they OEM?

I have an assortment from HF and they fit up ok but don’t seem as nice as the originals

Mine was a commercial supplier who sold in bulk and came in once a week to refill my minimums (anywhere from 5-50 misc small parts.

For you, I recommend autobodytoolmart dot com

They will have the tools, and the misc clips and such you will need for your specific car/truck without having to buy a whole cabinet draw full at a time.

Bill S.

 

[Jay870]

These are the dedicated trim & clip tools I have. Combined with a set of picks and plastic putty knife I've had pretty good luck. Most of it is just patience.

35460 Double-Ended Clip Lifter

Thin Tips on this Double-Ended Tool Provide Easy Access When Removing Plastic Clips.

www.lislecorp.com

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/auto-body-trim/trim-and-molding-tool-set-5-piece-64126.html

 

[swsman]

This is very similar to what I have:

Amazon.com

Have another set that I thought it was lost, found it recently. All plastic tools in this set.
So fairly set for interior panel work.

 

[Hakeem]

In addition to the other great advice, a five-in-one or painters tool can be helpful. The blade is thin and flat but still quite strong and can often get into small cracks that aren’t big enough to accept a conventional pry bar.

 

[WWheeler]

This is the SK 6640 set with an indexing clip puller is what I'd been trying to get for well over a year now, but it's basically become unobtanium.



So I asked about it and got pointed to this Matco set ICL4G (also sold individually) which I just got about 2 weeks ago now. They saw their first use today pulling the liners out of a Tacoma to install a lift. It's really nice to be able to adjust the tool as I'm working to get into places that I often struggle with any of my other body clip tools.

 

[39 LaSalle]

I'm a home gamer, but I have to pop clips every time I change my oil. Always contented myself with the old screwdriver and needle nose plier routine. Last year I got tired of that game and dropped the dime on the blue pliers type you have in your fourth photo. Love them. Quick and easy. Not the best machining, but they certainly aren't flimsy.

I've not heard much good about the style which are the black pair you show in your third photo though. To me they look like they might work for a while and then bend or get misaligned.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I'm a home gamer, but I have to pop clips every time I change my oil. Always contented myself with the old screwdriver and needle nose plier routine. Last year I got tired of that game and dropped the dime on the blue pliers type you have in your fourth photo. Love them. Quick and easy. Not the best machining, but they certainly aren't flimsy.

I've not heard much good about the style which are the black pair you show in your third photo though. To me they look like they might work for a while and then bend or get misaligned.

OK, I’m really curious what vehicle you have where you have to pop trim clips to change your oil. Surely not a LaSalle, ‘cause I doubt they had trim clips.

More on topic, the cheap harbor freight set works pretty well.

 

[Dust]

This is my absolute most favorite tool, I use it for all kinds of prying jobs.

Lisle upholstery remover

Fantastic price, fits almost everywhere, and is super comfortable to hold. I've bought lots of these for myself because I use them everywhere, and I've lost a few.

The Harbor Freight six-piece set is great for modifying. I took the extra long one with the wide jaws and bent it ninety degrees to make it into a wiring harness clip puller for those harnesses that are tucked way up against the firewall. Comes in handy for belts and hydraulic lines that are buried too.

Those Matco indexable ones look cool but I don't know if I want to spend $150 on them.

 

[Nocturnal]

Has anyone used the Vessel clip removal tool? Are they any good?

 

[Pexto]

OK, I’m really curious what vehicle you have where you have to pop trim clips to change your oil. Surely not a LaSalle, ‘cause I doubt they had trim clips.

I can't speak for LaSalle, but I've done a lot of oil changes on a 2005 Toyota Matrix where a clip tool was handy. If you don't remove some of the plastic underside panels, the oil drips from the pan and filter go *everywhere*.

Over time, the clips all broke and I replaced them with rebar tie wire. Also, over time, snow berms and rough living caused most of those underbody panels to disappear.

 

[Levaughn]

The plastic clips become brittle with age and break. I've had some luck getting them at auto body shop supply stores, or took them off cars at the U Pull It yards. (and racked up on 10mm bolts and clamp fasteners while I was at it. I put them in a clear bag, show it to them and they never charge me)

 

[AEAdam]

In addition to the other great advice, a five-in-one or painters tool can be helpful. The blade is thin and flat but still quite strong and can often get into small cracks that aren’t big enough to accept a conventional pry bar.

It’s called a paint scraper for a reason. This is the last tool I’d use on one of my vehicles.

I hinted at it earlier, but you can sharpen credit cards on a belt sander to function like knives. The edge doesn’t last long, but if you wanted to remove a bumper sticker, or scrape adhesive off the inner door skin, a sharpened credit card can help and won’t scratch your paint.

Couple times I’ve gotten to work in pro shops, the good older guys have those metal snap on panel poppers, but everything but the tips are usually wrapped with electrical tape.

 

[AEAdam]

The plastic clips become brittle with age and break. I've had some luck getting them at auto body shop supply stores, or took them off cars at the U Pull It yards. (and racked up on 10mm bolts and clamp fasteners while I was at it. I put them in a clear bag, show it to them and they never charge me)

I read water was the plasticizer for the nylon clips. So if you can get it out, I heard we should drop them in a jar of water and they will soften so they won’t break going back in.

Hope someone can confirm or deny.

 

[Hakeem]

It’s called a paint scraper for a reason. This is the last tool I’d use on one of my vehicles.

I hinted at it earlier, but you can sharpen credit cards on a belt sander to function like knives. The edge doesn’t last long, but if you wanted to remove a bumper sticker, or scrape adhesive off the inner door skin, a sharpened credit card can help and won’t scratch your paint.

Couple times I’ve gotten to work in pro shops, the good older guys have those metal snap on panel poppers, but everything but the tips are usually wrapped with electrical tape.

A thin flat blade is a thin flat blade, no matter what it’s called.

A 5-in-1 has the slimmest blade out of any type of prying tool. Slimmer than a flat blade screwdriver. When you need to pry something apart and the gap is too small for anything else, it's the perfect tool. Even if it’s just to open up the gap for a bigger prying tool.

For $10-15, it’s worth keeping a clean one lying around, dedicated for prying. Never know when it’ll come in handy.

 

[AJHD]

Or you could use an actual tool designed for that purpose...

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[Levaughn]

I read water was the plasticizer for the nylon clips. So if you can get it out, I heard we should drop them in a jar of water and they will soften so they won’t break going back in.

Hope someone can confirm or deny.

On some edge trimmer packages there is a water icon. You can soak that string in water to keep it pliable so it doesn't break easily. I imagine it can work for clips too.

 

[AEAdam]

A thin flat blade is a thin flat blade, no matter what it’s called.

A 5-in-1 has the slimmest blade out of any type of prying tool. Slimmer than a flat blade screwdriver. When you need to pry something apart and the gap is too small for anything else, it's the perfect tool. Even if it’s just to open up the gap for a bigger prying tool.

For $10-15, it’s worth keeping a clean one lying around, dedicated for prying. Never know when it’ll come in handy.

Its the material its made from, not its profile.

Should have mentioned earlier, I also have and use plastic spackle/putty knives. These are stiffer (albeit weaker) than the typical interior panel poppers. I also sharpen these or at least smooth their edges which can be ragged. Back to the credit cards, lots of makers will hold carpet to bodies with the rubber gaskets that surround doors etc. That isn't so easy to pry up sometimes.

My deal is, I live in the rust belt and HATE rust. So if I scratch it, I'm sanding and painting. No metal against painted surfaces!

 

[mrschnipster]

I always have just used the cheap plastic trim removal sets from harbor freight. They are also don’t scratch paint or the item I’m working on.

 

[jsmeece]

Has anyone used the Vessel clip removal tool? Are they any good?

I have them, they work pretty good. I use them at home.

 

[Hakeem]

Its the material its made from, not its profile.

Should have mentioned earlier, I also have and use plastic spackle/putty knives. These are stiffer (albeit weaker) than the typical interior panel poppers. I also sharpen these or at least smooth their edges which can be ragged. Back to the credit cards, lots of makers will hold carpet to bodies with the rubber gaskets that surround doors etc. That isn't so easy to pry up sometimes.

My deal is, I live in the rust belt and HATE rust. So if I scratch it, I'm sanding and painting. No metal against painted surfaces!

Yes, good points. One must be mindful of the potential for inadvertent damage. Sometimes though you gotta do what you gotta do. If need be, a quick spritz of rustoleum hides my sins from the rust gods …

 

[danielbuck]

Aircraft skin wedge tool. I've seen versions with two different sizes to pry different things.

I use similar 4140 chromoly thin pry bars quite a bit. I wish I would have had them sooner. Not just for interior panels, but for basically anything semi-light weight that needs to be pried apart. Definitely worth having just as a general tool.

 

[cvairwerks]

One of the best sources for plastic tools: https://bojotools.com/

 

[aka Larry]

I have the typical plastic assortment shown above for interior panels, the Lisle forked, and the double lifter forked one for what I call the "Christmas tree" fasteners.

For the push-pin type now used on all the exterior fender liners, undertrays, etc I fought them using the small flat screwdriver and needle-nose pliers for years. I had to removed the fog lamps on my wife's '21 Maxima and IIRC, there were almost 30 of them. With the task of removing all those SOBs in front of me, I decided that there had to be a better way. I ended up with these from Gearwrench and once you have used these, there is no turning back. Total game changer for those PITA things!

 

[shakenfake]

OK, I’m really curious what vehicle you have where you have to pop trim clips to change your oil.

I'm trying to remember if Germans require trim clip popping or not. Toyota might also but honestly I don't remember. Been a while since I've changed the oil on those.

I'm almost positive on my girlfriend's 2017 Corolla I am popping clips but maybe I do unscrew a couple bolts.

 

[AJHD]

OK, I’m really curious what vehicle you have where you have to pop trim clips to change your oil. Surely not a LaSalle, ‘cause I doubt they had trim clips.

More on topic, the cheap harbor freight set works pretty well.

Lots of vehicles actually. Modern cars are held together by plastic trim clips.

Most vehicles need to remove the splash shield or an "access panel" built into the splash shield to access the filter. A lot of trucks, some SUV's need to remove the metal skid plate to access the filter, although those use bolts.

My Altima for example had a stupid plastic shield that needs to be removed to access the filter. Technically possible to access from under the car, but it's more difficult.

 

[mikedodge]

You can remove pretty much any fastener with either the pry tool or trim kit.
Most plastic fasteners are reusable except the ones that look like fish hooks usually break and the tree ones wear out if they're removed a few times.

 

[AEAdam]

One of the best sources for plastic tools: https://bojotools.com/

I have these and wasn’t overly impressed. They are pretty flexible. I bought a Snap On set in the uk which must be carbon filled or..they are stiffer. Very nice. Saw a similar set on the truck in the US and they were flexible like the Bojo. Remember, like my credit card trick, it’s all just plastic. Start with the <$10 HF set and reshape them as needed to suit.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I can't speak for LaSalle, but I've done a lot of oil changes on a 2005 Toyota Matrix where a clip tool was handy. If you don't remove some of the plastic underside panels, the oil drips from the pan and filter go *everywhere*.

Over time, the clips all broke and I replaced them with rebar tie wire. Also, over time, snow berms and rough living caused most of those underbody panels to disappear.

Huh, we had ‘05 Matrix, don’t remember anything special about changing the oil. I do remember having to remove the skid plate from Toyota 4Runner.