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Trim Tools??

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littletoes

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Tearing all this trim off, I'm thinking one or two tools designed for pulling those darn, what I'll refer to as "push-in" plastic rivets, because I'm not sure WHAT they are called.....it would just be handy to have a tool that is designed for that kind of job.

Tell me what 'ya got guys! Pic's would be awesome!

Thanks again in advance, too!

:thumbup:
 
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jdm5

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Bojo tools:

sample - work great. (first google hit that I found - shop around).
 
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CWP1616L

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I use two thin flexible putty knives; one on each side of the trim fastener.
 
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hickfied

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Harbor freight has a trim tool set made out of plastic for $5-$10. Works decent for ocasional use. I use it for all the interior trim on my mustang, as well as the window and two tone trim on the exterior of my old ford trucks.
 
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Jagmandave

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$T2eC16NHJFoFH492iLWIBSSoKDVinw~~60_1.JPG


I bought a pair of these at HF, they work really well - only about $5 with coupon too.
 
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signcrafter

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I use a variety of tools for trim. There are so many different types of fasteners and where they are located that you need a bunch if you do much trim work. Most of the time I'm using them for bumpers and wheel well splash guards and what not.

I use the usual screwdriver style with a U shaped end. Also use these putty knife style that come in different bends with U shaped ends. Also have a bunch of different types of plastic ones like the BOJO ones.

I also have these and they are really nice for stubborn fasteners. Probably my two most used trim tools are http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MPRR7M/?tag=atomicindus08-20. And something like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OH0K90/?tag=atomicindus08-20.

HF actually has a decent selection of trim tools that work pretty good.
 
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beatcad

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what kinda trim are you talking about? inter door panels? belt moldings?
there are so many trim moldings and just as many tools.
i'm gonna assume yer talking about modern cars(within the last 30 years).
of course you could spend a bunch on the tool truck, but for the DIY guy you can get a "booger picker" clip tool from the brand lisle . sold at most auto prts stores.
I belive if you go online and look up eastwood they have a decent trim tool kit. not to pricey

the plastic fasteners I believe yer talking about are called clips and often break coming out even if ya got the proper tool
 
OP
L

littletoes

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Wheel wells, bumper and inner fender right now, but I could have used them on several door trim projects....and I have a couple of windows that need adjusting on the Wife's Montana mini-van. Can't imagine what kind of pain that will be!

Thank's for all the ideas guys! They are all good! ;)
 
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JeepsAreBuilt

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A pair of side cutters work well too.. get them under the clip and tighten them up, but not to cut them.. then pry the clip out. This works great on tree style clips, and those clips that have a plastic phillips head screw in them. I also use picks to lift those plastic phillips head screws out of the center so you can lift the whole clip out without destroying it.
 
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Danglerb

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The rivet plastic things with a pin in the middle, those I use my HF pin pliers on.

Key to getting trim loose is knowing how it locks, otherwise you break stuff.

OTOH you are going to break stuff, so weigh time and availability of replacements, and best to have some in stock. Ford has these one way clips that break half the time, and any car that has been painted may be glued by paint as well as clipped.

For the non pro user, buy ALL of the trim tools that HF has, plus some of the Lisle they don't carry, maybe $50 total.
 
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warweapon762

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Jagmandave said:
$T2eC16NHJFoFH492iLWIBSSoKDVinw~~60_1.JPG


I bought a pair of these at HF, they work really well - only about $5 with coupon too.
Click to expand...

THESE ARE THE BEST!!

Work on old style wire clips and the plastic inserts (even the most difficult pop out with ease!).

Mine are a Wilmar brand though, but work the same! :beer::thumbup:
 
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kythri

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I've got a pair of that style as well (KD or Lisle, I think, but the HF ones appear identical), and they work well in certain areas, but if you're not careful, they will EASILY mar/gouge plastic.

I'd really recommend the plastic type first, and use these only as a last resort when the fastener is unwilling to budge.
 
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beatcad

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good find.
that's pretty much like the eastwood kit I suggested earlier.
if yer just a regular car guy that kit is all ya need.
if yer a professional bodyguy, it'll get ya started, but not last forever.
 
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cyato

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0

00S4Boy

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Feb 4, 2010
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Speaking of trim tools. So i'm assuming all of you have seen those zip tie wire clips with the trangle push in fastener you gotta put the tabs down to get it through.

Well I recently ran into an application of them that doesn't give you access to the back side to release them any advise on a tool to get them out?

If your wondering the application it was a honda seat belt buckle that had wire's running along the seat frame that were clipped and you couldn't access the back side to release the clips.
 
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jjjrmx5

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tjmonsen5 said:
the bluepoint YA335 come in handy, they grip the center portion of the trim clip and then yank it out without damaging anything. I use them on wheel well clips a lot, as well as the trim clips in the trunks of BMWs. Much better and safer than using a screwdriver or pick.
http://store.snapon.com/Body-Clip-Tools-Pliers-Body-Clip-P649198.aspx
Click to expand...

Yep.
:thumbup:

For fastener terms, go over to
http://www.auveco.com

They're just down the road from me and are OEM suppliers in many cases.

peruse or download the .pdf and it's a day's read. 800+ pages.

For headliner chrismas tree's I like the 2 piece fork popper.
For fender liner and trunk time, the ones tjmonsen posted are superb.
Interiors get tricky with some that pop and/or slide and others you need to pry.
It all varies.

You really need a good dozen or more of different trim tools these days.
You really do.
 
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