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Car Panel / Clip Removal / Interior Trim Tools

Pexto

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May 5, 2018
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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.

Different engine, perhaps? Mine was the base model with the 1ZZ 1.8 liter. The oil filter was on the front of the engine, and was accessible (barely) from above. But if I removed it from above it drained all over the plastic underbody panels, making a big mess. So I normally removed several of the underbody panels, and unscrewed the filter from below after moving the drain pan forward. Much less mess.

I've had '78, '94, '96' and '99 Toyota 4WD Pickups and Tacomas (about ten years each) and never removed the skid plate. Although several times I wished I had!
 
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mrbill55

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Jun 23, 2016
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Greenville, SC
Titan 51045 trim tool.JPG
Titan 51045 trim removal tool $6.99 O'Reilly's Auto Parts
For interior trim panels, I only supplied my employees with plastic tools, as the metal ones, like shown in your picture, could damage interior panels and trim. Not an issue if you are DYI your own property, but when I had to potentially replace a piece of interior trim (worth more than my profit on the job at hand)......Well, I think you get where I'm coming from.


Bill S.
 

four.cycle

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Fedwrench

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Although a bit pricey, I really like the handles on the PB Swiss trim tools.


I got the SK trim tool kit more than a couple of years ago when it first came out. It's outstanding but, I think if the indexable head tool was two inches shorter, it would be perfect. :lol:

I doubt if SK will continue to make this set under its new ownership. Hopefully, someone else will release a similar version.:beer:
 

AJHD

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Although a bit pricey, I really like the handles on the PB Swiss trim tools.

I got the SK trim tool kit more than a couple of years ago when it first came out. It's outstanding but, I think if the indexable head tool was two inches shorter, it would be perfect. :lol:

I doubt if SK will continue to make this set under its new ownership. Hopefully, someone else will release a similar version.:beer:

I picked up this Matco set yesterday after seeing another member post about it. I was going to buy only one of them, but my Matco guy gave me a discount on the set. Other than SK, I've not seen anyone make an indexing trim tool like these.

This Snap On trim tool (similar to PB Swiss and Vessel, etc.) is what I've used for years almost exclusively, but I like having options.

 

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39 LaSalle

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TN
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.
:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

No...not the LaSalle. It's much easier, I don't even have an oil filter on it!

We also have a Nissan Versa and a Nissan Murano. The Murano has the oil filter mounted on the passenger side of the engine and it extends to just right over the frame. You have to remove the splash panel in the wheel well to get at it. Just so happens that this tool came in handy for when I had to replace the alternator this winter. Had to disassemble all the splash panels underneath the bumper cover.

It also came in handy when I had to replace a headlight and fender on the Versa when it got hit last fall. That whole bumper cover was held on with clips. This tool made quick and easy work of pulling them all.
 

terrific

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Nov 22, 2021
Messages
329
I really like the bend of the Lisle 35350 door panel remover.
The Lisle 35470 is handy, but I'd almost prefer it to be shorter.

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.
You might have one of the softer plastics. Bojo sells the same tool shapes in several different types of materials. I think the tools ending in XNGL are the glass fiber reinforced versions.
I have an XNGL 55 degree pry bar which I use to pop sockets of my ratchets when my hands are slippery. It feels pretty nice -- not as good as a quick-release button, but I'm not buying another ratchet.
 

scooby074

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Oct 26, 2008
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Nova Scotia
The Lisle 35400 and the common plastic set everyone sells gets me thru alot of jobs. Wish the lisle's jaws were a bit thinner sometimes.

ge_comfortable_handle.__48535.1399645530.1280.1280.jpg

9179375_A0CG_00_01.jpg
 

darkzero

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Oct 20, 2011
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Wish the lisle's jaws were a bit thinner sometimes.
This is the exact reason why I don't like many of these similar style tools offered by the quality name brands.

Like this Snap-on that I got in the early 00s, it's actually the very first panel clip tool I have ever bought & is my least used also. It's way to thick & not very useful.
20220907_145725.jpg

The Mueller Kueps pictured above does work great but I have not taken them to work for use, too purdy. Skin wedge I do use at work & very often, for all sorts of tasks, I keep it in my back pocket.

My work supplies these HF panel poppers which actually work great, I only use two of them though, the 2nd & 4th.
99739_W4.jpg

I got these a few months ago. They work pretty good for those stubborn clips like the white ones that hold on the front valence on Ram 1500s. Also good for retaining clips that have a long push pin that start to bend with just a pry tool. I tried to find a name brand one but couldn't. This is the closest I could find that wasn't like all the no name blue handle ones.
20240323_170003.jpg
20240323_170020.jpg

Just got this recently too. Not sure if it will work good for me but it's shaped like the Mueller Kueps so maybe. I mainly got it for the novelty cause I'm a knife guy. Haven't used it yet though, I have to do some surgery on it first before I take it to work.
20240611_211425.jpg

(This is dejavu, I feel like I've said much of this before, oh wait I have. :D )
 

drtyler

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Jan 31, 2012
Messages
976
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.
New Mazdas, although I just use a small flat blade screwdriver.
 

AJHD

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Jan 4, 2020
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AZ
Just got this recently too. Not sure if it will work good for me but it's shaped like the Mueller Kueps so maybe. I mainly got it for the novelty cause I'm a knife guy. Haven't used it yet though, I have to do some surgery on it first before I take it to work.
20240611_211425.jpg

(This is dejavu, I feel like I've said much of this before, oh wait I have. :D )

Let us know if you actually use this thing. I've had it in my hands a few times. I'm sure it works, but it feels like a gimmick or novelty to me. Just not sure how useful it would actually be.

That said, I could see carrying it around in my pocket if I still worked in a shop. It was always nice to have tools on me when I needed them and didn't have to go back to my cart or box. Maybe it's geared more towards that crowd.
 

darkzero

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Let us know if you actually use this thing. I've had it in my hands a few times. I'm sure it works, but it feels like a gimmick or novelty to me. Just not sure how useful it would actually be.

That said, I could see carrying it around in my pocket if I still worked in a shop. It was always nice to have tools on me when I needed them and didn't have to go back to my cart or box. Maybe it's geared more towards that crowd.
Yeah it's more of a novelty to me too. I haven't taken it to work yet but my initial impression is that it may be handy & convenient at times but not something I would reach for all the time.

I'll report back back here what I think after actually using it for a while.
 

bobg03

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Aug 29, 2020
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conway sc
I've had '78, '94, '96' and '99 Toyota 4WD Pickups and Tacomas (about ten years each) and never removed the skid plate. Although several times I wished I had!
My new to me 2003 K 1500 Cheby at the time had a notch for the oil so as not to land on the topside of the skid plate. Great idea til I discovered after the fact that GM should have made the notch a bit larger.

Dropped pan after change, cleaned all the oil off it and my buddy used his new plasma cutter to ensure I'd never drop the skid plate again at least for an oil change.
 

four.cycle

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Tacoma, Washington
Follow-up on Titan 51045 posted June 14th and given to my buddy.
Just got off the phone with him.
He said "Speaking of tools, I tried out that black and red pry thing you gave me a while back."
Apparently it served the purpose quite well: he was fiddling around with a home air conditioner unit and it apparently was exactly the right widget for the task.
Also noted that the radical angle at the business end, and the extra-long shank, made it much easier to remove the longer trim panel "plugs" that are used on so many vehicles.
(I should note that I gave him a set of the Vessel "Megadora" clip tools for Christmas, so he already had those.)
 

dnschmidt

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Oct 3, 2014
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7,270
Location
Phoenix, AZ
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.
I too like the aircraft skinner.
 

mikey03

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May 17, 2024
Messages
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I too like the aircraft skinner.
I been seeing that going around for years but I never owned one is there a brand you like? When I go on amazon there’s a bunch all from places I never heard of.

as far as interior trim tools I didnt own any until last week I would use it uncles but I had to drive to the other side of town to work on a family member car blower motor and take the dash out so I went to HF and bought some Pittsburgh set for 10 bucks and I like it but it left some colored plastic residue behind on the dash in one spot that wiped away

this set is fine for me and I’m on a budget but I do wonder for nicer ones what makes them nicer is the plastic less likely to leave behind residue or anything like that
 

tjansson

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Apr 25, 2018
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Northern Vermont
I've been using the 4 piece set of harbor freight yellow nylon pry tools for 15 years or more. They still sell 'em. $8.50
 
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four.cycle

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@Nocturnal -
re: "Vessel" trim removal tool set
I gave one of these to my buddy last Christmas.

@mikey03 -
A couple years ago, somebody was running a special on that "4140" "aircraft skinner" tool and I bought three of them and gave two to my buddy.

My post just above was about the 51045 Titan trim tool I gave to my buddy back in June.

In September of 2022 I also gave him a set of Titan 11713 plastic trim tools (see below.)

I don't work on cars. He works on cars (and anything else requiring repair.) He loved the 4140 tool. The Vessel "Megadora" trim tools were okay, but he wasn't gushing over them. He actually liked that Titan cheapie better - go figure. Haven't gotten any feedback on the little Titan plastic cheapies.
From that, and other comments about these things, it sounds like you actually need quite an assortment of them.
I do use that 4140 widget for all kinds of stuff. Buy a good one - there are cheapie knock-offs on the market.
 

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AJHD

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four.cycle

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This one was the best deal when I bought mine in May 2022:

 

isb cornbinder

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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.
I responded to a Craigslist offer of a set of drawers for a body shop. I paid $100 and this is what I took home. The seller offered to dump the contents in his garbage.
Well, I still have the drawers and the hundreds of clips. I did not advance my situation very far with that purchase. Fastenal had a sale on small parts drawers. Finally I got what I needed. (needed??)
 

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richfinn

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I recently bought some genuine Honda "***** clip" pliers, they work very well on those two piece plastic popper clips found on Japanese and German vehicles.

https://www.heeltoeauto.com/honda-genuine-tools-*****-clip-clip-popper.html

So much nicer to use than the cheap Amazon sh*t I previously had 😂
 

Dave455

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First off, some of the plastic pry bars are needed. There are just too many things that get damaged if you don’t have them.

Note that most of the time you don’t actually pry with them, but push them progressively further under whatever you want to remove, and they work like a wedge. (e.g. removing most major internal trim / badges etc).

Sometimes you do need to pry though (popping out internal light fittings or switches) at which point you find out that there are different qualities of these.IMG_0382.jpeg

At least one trim clip tool is needed. I’ve used the Snap On for a while, and it’s not only a solid tool, but all the edges are nicely rounded and smoothed so it doesn’t cause damage.

The downside to the Snap On is that it is thick, so using it on say a door card, you need to get under there with something else first. Note that you generally get under the trim AND the clip to use these.

The KTC is a lot thinner, and I find myself using this more. In fact, I have two sizes and three lengths of these now.
IMG_6554.jpeg

The plier type tools that darkzero showed are pretty much essential for removing the clips with a central pin. I don’t think anything else enables you to get the “pin” out undamaged!

I’m liking most of the trim tools I see by KTC. Pretty much becoming my default choice now. I’ve even grown to like the colour - it’s ”real world” practical if you’re removing black fittings and black trim, and placing your tools on black seats or black carpet!
IMG_0383.jpeg
 
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mikey03

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How do you use the metal ones without damaging stuff, I only ever used plastic, I’m guessing that the plastic tool is for two pieces of plastic like two plastic dashboard pieces to pry apart but the metal can go between where a plastic trim touches metal and you might be marking up below the plastic but you won’t see it anyway and the metal won’t care
 

Fedwrench

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First off, some of the plastic pry bars are needed. There are just too many things that get damaged if you don’t have them.

Note that most of the time you don’t actually pry with them, but push them progressively further under whatever you want to remove, and they work like a wedge. (e.g. removing most major internal trim / badges etc).

Sometimes you do need to pry though (popping out internal light fittings or switches) at which point you find out that there are different qualities of these.IMG_0382.jpeg

At least one trim clip tool is needed. I’ve used the Snap On for a while, and it’s not only a solid tool, but all the edges are nicely rounded and smoothed so it doesn’t cause damage.

The downside to the Snap On is that it is thick, so using it on say a door card, you need to get under there with something else first. Note that you generally get under the trim AND the clip to use these.

The KTC is a lot thinner, and I find myself using this more. In fact, I have two sizes and three lengths of these now.
IMG_6554.jpeg

The plier type tools that darkzero showed are pretty much essential for removing the clips with a central pin. I don’t think anything else enables you to get the “pin” out undamaged!

I’m liking most of the trim tools I see by KTC. Pretty much becoming my default choice now. I’ve even grown to like the colour - it’s ”real world” practical if you’re removing black fittings and black trim, and placing your tools on black seats or black carpet!
IMG_0383.jpeg
Hey, talk to me about the KTC AP203-10A. What do you like/not like about it and why it's so expensive?
My favorite screwdriver type trim tool is a toss-up between PB Swiss and Vessel. Both are cheaper than the KTC version.
https://pbtools.us/automotive-clip-clamp-detaching-wrench-set-671set.htm
I think the pink KTC wouldn't walk off or get left behind. I'm having issues moving past sticker shock. :lol: :beer:
 

AEAdam

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May 27, 2023
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SE PA
How do you use the metal ones without damaging stuff, I only ever used plastic, I’m guessing that the plastic tool is for two pieces of plastic like two plastic dashboard pieces to pry apart but the metal can go between where a plastic trim touches metal and you might be marking up below the plastic but you won’t see it anyway and the metal won’t care
A lot of guys wrap the shank with electrical tape. You have to be careful about that tho. When you want to slip those tools under trim, the electrical tape can catch and actually cause problems.

Those poppers are all over cars not, not just interiors. I have a metal snap On one and I do find it useful as is. I have a **** ton of the plastic ones including HF. I also keep old membership/credit cards for these jobs.
 

Dave455

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Mar 19, 2013
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Hey, talk to me about the KTC AP203-10A. What do you like/not like about it and why it's so expensive?
My favorite screwdriver type trim tool is a toss-up between PB Swiss and Vessel. Both are cheaper than the KTC version.
https://pbtools.us/automotive-clip-clamp-detaching-wrench-set-671set.htm
I think the pink KTC wouldn't walk off or get left behind. I'm having issues moving past sticker shock. :lol: :beer:
A good question!

For some years I only owned the Snap On.

Good tool. Unlike the very cheap ones, all the edges and corners are rounded, and every surface polished and chromed, so even if you use it between a painted surface and say a door card, it doesn’t mark the trim. It’s also very strong, and I like the Snap On hard handles. Equally tough.

The downside of the Snap On is that the tip is relatively thick, and it was obvious I needed something thinner. The KTC seems to be a good compromise. Thinner than the Snap On, but still rounded / polished etc so it doesn’t cause damage. Here’s a comparison.
IMG_0385.jpeg

When you use the KTC you realise it’s been very well thought out. Even the handle material (a soft, but relatively dense plastic - very different from the soft materials chosen for cheapness) is just perfect - nice to use and cleans up but doesn’t damage plastic panels if you accidentally scrape one.

Overall, very happy with the KTC. Not much I don’t like. Cost wise, I don’t recall it being expensive. Current price for me (shipped from Japan) is about 13 British Pounds. The Snap On A177 is currently £52 - which I didn’t pay, and probably wouldn’t.

The Vessel, sourced in the U.K. is a comparable price to the KTC. Sourced from Japan it’s about half that price (£6). I’ll probably pick one up next time I order from Japan. Clip tools, like screwdrivers, are something you can’t have too many of.

For now, I’m happy with the KTC, and have picked up some others. I got a set of the AP203 so I have another of the large size. The short ones are my newest acquisition and already my most used. I also have a couple of the long ones, which I thought would be useful, but I seldom use.
IMG_0390.jpegIMG_0389.jpeg

It’s worth remembering that every clip tool is a compromise of some sort. You can make any tool thinner / more pointy, or thicker / more rounded, but the more pointy they are the easier it is to damage your work.
 
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Toolfool

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Aug 22, 2011
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Tallahassee, FL
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.

hedgehog-easy-air-wedge-eaw12001-05009661L.jpg
Thanks for reminding me. The last time I went to use mine I found out the bulb had dried out and cracked. Useless. Have to order a new one. ;)
 

richfinn

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Jan 29, 2011
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Leeds, Yorkshire, England
Thanks for reminding me. The last time I went to use mine I found out the bulb had dried out and cracked. Useless. Have to order a new one. ;)

This brand is the best air wedge I have found, it has a stiff plastic board inside to prevent it folding during use, excellent for creating a gap between doors and the body to retrieve keys locked inside vehicles or sliding it behind a door card to pop the clips.

I also use it for jacking open fuel filler flaps slightly to get at the mechanism with a long pick to release them and creating a gap to unfasten the hood latch when the release is jammed/cable broken.

So many uses and really good quality for the price 👍
 

Levaughn

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Feb 17, 2015
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Location
NY
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.
I saw a video of a guy doing it with edge trimmer string. If there's a water drop icon on the package.
 
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