Trim Tool and Door Removal Tools

Fire4Effect · Oct 6, 2015

Good morning to all

So I'd like to start this thread here to see what you guys are using and what you guys recommend. I am an auto technician and I have been looking at different tools for a while to remove inside trim pieces and door panels.

Right now I just have been using the Lisle 35400 and my pocket screwdrivers.
I have been looking at the Snap On ASG103BR which is a 3 piece set that goes for $95 according to Snap On online, I haven't checked the truck yet since I wasn't ready to buy. Some of the other technicians that I work with have the Lisle and other have the 3 piece set and another guy has a harbor freight set that is not bad and is only $30-$40 for a 6 piece tool set.

I really like the the Snap On set but I think I could get a lot more bang for the buck going with a different set.

Anyway I'd like to see what you guys have and may be some insight from people that have used the Snap On set and others.

North Run Grader · Oct 6, 2015

Unless I was using the tools everyday I would go with the HF set on sale for $17.99, and add the plastic trim and moulding 5 piece set for $6.99 and the upholstery and trim 5 piece set for another $14.99 . For less than half price you have the 16 most common tools needed for panel and dash work, as your skills and experience grow eventually you'll likely upgraded to Snap On. Unless you are working in automotive stereo or auto body where you'll be dealing with plastic panels every day buy more for your money, replace with quality as needed.

Wiz02 · Oct 6, 2015

Check out Eastwood.com and search for Trim Tools. I have the 12 pc Nylon set that' I've used on a whole variety of projects in addition to their intended use of auto door panels and trim. They work well, but will get their leading edges beat up if you abuse them. I just bend them back into shape.

Richard Cranium · Oct 6, 2015

I have the lisle set and like it, Not a pro, But so far they have done every thing I have asked.

Wood'nMetal · Oct 6, 2015

I've got a little connection I've amassed over the year. Mostly I end up using the cheapo HF ones because I can modify them to fit my needs. A couple plastic putty knives are real handy as well.

T_R · Oct 6, 2015

I use old worn down flathead screwdrivers. I have been for over 20 years. Never had a complaint of damaged trim.

FJ 432 · Oct 6, 2015

North Run Grader said:
Unless I was using the tools everyday I would go with the HF set on sale for $17.99, and add the plastic trim and moulding 5 piece set for $6.99 and the upholstery and trim 5 piece set for another $14.99 . For less than half price you have the 16 most common tools needed for panel and dash work, as your skills and experience grow eventually you'll likely upgraded to Snap On. Unless you are working in automotive stereo or auto body where you'll be dealing with plastic panels every day buy more for your money, replace with quality as needed.

I agree with this.

94EG8 · Oct 6, 2015

I work for a large collision shop with company provided tools. We use these things all day every day. We have a couple of the long trim tool/crow foot out of that snap on set, it works especially nice for just about everything. We don't have the lisle trim tool you have, but I do have one at home and I really like it, I just wish the handle was a little smaller. Most of what we have are just cheap trim tools. I don't particularly care for them but some of the guys like them (for the record I don't normally take apart or put much together as my job is to order parts, but I do occasionally help out if things are slow on my side, and I do end up doing fair bit of this stuff at home)

Not mentioned anywhere but Astro Pneumatic makes a really nice looking trim tool set as well. We bought one at work, and no one ever used it for some reason and my boss ended up taking it home with him, I don't think we ever tried it so I'm not sure how well it works.

I will say of all the trim tools I've used the Snap-On one works best in terms of getting under the clip and removing the clip without breaking it. Some of the cheap tools are too thick.

sselander · Oct 6, 2015

Bojo Tools has a pretty extensive line of them along with other stuff
http://www.bojoinc.com/

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1930 · Oct 6, 2015

94EG8 said:
I work for a large collision shop with company provided tools. We use these things all day every day. We have a couple of the long trim tool/crow foot out of that snap on set, it works especially nice for just about everything. We don't have the lisle trim tool you have, but I do have one at home and I really like it, I just wish the handle was a little smaller. Most of what we have are just cheap trim tools. I don't particularly care for them but some of the guys like them (for the record I don't normally take apart or put much together as my job is to order parts, but I do occasionally help out if things are slow on my side, and I do end up doing fair bit of this stuff at home)

Not mentioned anywhere but Astro Pneumatic makes a really nice looking trim tool set as well. We bought one at work, and no one ever used it for some reason and my boss ended up taking it home with him, I don't think we ever tried it so I'm not sure how well it works.

I will say of all the trim tools I've used the Snap-On one works best in terms of getting under the clip and removing the clip without breaking it. Some of the cheap tools are too thick.

Id like to hear more about a collision shop that provides tools. Whats the procedure when you need a tool and how many metal detectors do you have to go thru before you can go home.

wnstwolf · Oct 6, 2015

Just picked up the set griots sells. I find the selection in this set to be a little more useful than the lisle set.

rt dak · Oct 6, 2015

http://www.shop.pbtools.us/Automotive-Clip-Clamp-Detaching-Wrench-Set-671set.htm

https://store.snapon.com/Non-Marring-Prybars-Set-Prybar-Non-marring-5-pcs--P646942.aspx

ZRX61 · Oct 6, 2015

I have metal ones from Mac, plastic ones from somewhere else (probably Horrible Fright) & some special ones from no idea where.

FigureItOut · Oct 6, 2015

Pulling trim is about half of my work day. I use Steck trim pliers and a SnapOn seal remover almost exclusively. Those two will get me access to anywhere I want to be 99% of the time, and I never scratch trim or break clips.
On occasion, mostly removing rear hatch trim on SUV's I'll use the long *** clip popper and occasionally the non marring plastic/nylon pry bar.

Hammer1963 · Oct 6, 2015

FigureItOut said:
Pulling trim is about half of my work day. I use Steck trim pliers and a SnapOn seal remover almost exclusively. Those two will get me access to anywhere I want to be 99% of the time, and I never scratch trim or break clips.
On occasion, mostly removing rear hatch trim on SUV's I'll use the long *** clip popper and occasionally the non marring plastic/nylon pry bar.

I will second everyone of these suggestions. I discovered the O-ring tools about 5 years ago in the Snap-on catalog. My dealer was dumbfounded as he had never seen them. Since then he has placed them in most every shop on his route.

FigureItOut · Oct 6, 2015

Back when I worked in a shop a guy had given me the seal remover for trim, without mentioningwhat it really was for. After losing it the SnapOn guy and I spent hours trying to find it by my description.
Finally years later when I got back into this I stumbled on it looking for my long clip popper. Now I keep two as backup, I could list a dozen uses for it right off the top of my head.

94EG8 · Oct 7, 2015

1930 said:
Id like to hear more about a collision shop that provides tools. Whats the procedure when you need a tool and how many metal detectors do you have to go thru before you can go home.

Each bay has a toolboard hanging from the ceiling on slides. The tools are just there, they use them as needed. If they had to sign them out it wouldn't be worth it due to time lost signing them out. We have pretty honest guys, it's very rare for something to disappear and generally if it does it was left in a vehicle.

We also have those Steck trim tool pliers, somehow I forgot all about them, they're great. Probably one of the best things I ever used to the point where I bought a set for home use.

Fire4Effect · Oct 7, 2015

Well guys I have to say WOW! All you guys gave some awesome feedback! I just checked out all of you guys different suggestions and they are all great. I just happen to have ordered that Snap On Seal remover set just a bit a go because my buddy has the set and it is very useful on many things as mentioned but I never thought of it as a trim removal tool, but awesome to hear that. I did figure that set is going to be very useful with many things. I also purchased Blue Point YA331 Trim Pliers which a fellow technician swears by as well and forgot to mention initially on the post.

I am probably going to end up with a few different tools. I am really liking that Snap On set, so I might end up just biting it and getting it and compliment it with the tools that I already have as well as adding a few more of what you guys have listed here. I will update with my progress and may be post a picture with what I ended up with in the next few weeks!

Thanks again guys for the awesome replies!

countryroad82 · Oct 7, 2015

My main go to panel tools are my SO clip tool set (I wrap the pivot points with tape to avoid scratching paint), picks both long and short SO as well but I've had cheaper ones, and my all time favorite those cheapo freebie screwdrivers that you can get for free off the truck. I can remove most trim panels with that assortment. I do have nonmarring tools from Steck and some others that are used on occasion but fairly rare.

tstaude · Oct 7, 2015

I have an ancient Mac trim removal tool, that thing is nothing short of amazing. Could not find a picture, so I will have to take one and post.

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