Nylon 'Christmas Tree' fastener tool

[PassnThru]

I've always fought these but several repairs in the last few weeks reminded me that I have to find a better way. I have a 'tool' for prying them out which is basically a forked pry bar with a movable ball to set the pivot point. But 75% of the time it's useless. Sometimes things are in the way or there is nothing behind it to pry against. What do you use for these things? There has to be a better tool out there.

 

[PelicanPines]

The shutters on my house use those... hard as hell to remove.

 

[txvwnut]

I use a door panel removal tool for those. I’ll put a thumb on top of the fastener and push against tool as I pry it out.

 

[Bogie1632]

Check out Body/Door Clip removal pliers. Quite a few different version and companies make them, most under $20. They work ok. Generally, I replace with new clips after I remove them with some cutters so my pliers don't get used a whole lot.

V/R
Bogie

 

[Fedwrench]

Sometimes those trim fasteners just need to be sacrificed.
The body door clip pliers work great some of the time. I've noticed over the last several years that the trim fasteners themselves aren't as good as they once were. Their heads are thinner and not as strong so when you squeeze the body clip pliers, the head sides fold up instead of pulling the fastener out.

I don't think there's a one size solves all tool unless maybe a pair of side cutters but, that requires trim fastener replacement and prevents reuse. However, Astro, Dent Fix, and a slew of other manufacturers offer these type of trim fasteners remover pliers that I've better than average results from:

Product Page | JDTCo.

www.jerseydiscounttoolco.com

 

[ajchien]

I have a feeling this thread is going to cost me money...

my standard is the forked pry bar thingy, followed by some choice words, followed by side cutters, followed with a pair of channellocks to remove the remnants.

 

[Catcher1984]

SK tools 6646 was my favorite when I used to work as a mechanic, I also used a stubby 90 degree anex clip tool for hard to reach areas. They don't get used much anymore but when I do I'm glad I have them.

 

[jbfsr]

Can't help with tool, but check out "Clips and Fasteners.com" for the fasteners.

 

[cvairwerks]

Look up BOJO tools....Lots of decent ones for trim, panel and sealant work.

www.bojoinc.com

 

[PelicanPines]

Check out Body/Door Clip removal pliers. Quite a few different version and companies make them, most under $20. They work ok. Generally, I replace with new clips after I remove them with some cutters so my pliers don't get used a whole lot.

V/R
Bogie

Those are the exact ones I use...

They HELP, but don't work 100% of the time.

 

[HenryAZ]

The Gearwrench GW3729 push pin removal pliers work as well as anything, but, as mentioned, the push pins should be considered sacrificial. At least, with these pliers, you generally get the old one out in one or more pieces pretty easily.

 

[gungatim]

LGR!

 

[Neggy]

I write them off as "single use hardware" and some estimating packages will actually footnote them as such (like the bed hardware on Fords)

Unfortunately GOOD quality hardware is not cheap, ask any body shop owner who has to write the check after the guy comes in and replenishes all the miscellaneous hardware bins.

Always get a minimum of $20.00 for Misc Hardware on any appraisal, and if they balk, itemize it all at OEM prices.

 

[JMToolCo]

My go to is one of these 2. But like others have said those clips are often one and done

 

[bugnut]

I vote with the one and done crowd. I bought these,

GOOACC 240PCS Bumper Retainer Clips Car Plastic Rivets Fasteners Push Retainer Kit Most Popular Sizes Auto Push Pin Rivets Set -Door Trim Panel ​

 

[garfunkle24]

I have the SK 6646 and various other panel/clip removal tools. I also have a mini Titan prybar that works pretty well. My favorite though is a 1 inch stiff putty knife that I ground some notches into. As others have said though, once those things get old/brittle, the head will just pop off before you can get enough pull to release the barbs.

 

[kbeefy]

I have almost all the different panel and clip tools.

Prying Wedge.... this is usually my go to, but as mentioned I usually spend more time fetching different tools and cursing them that it takes to just clip and replace.

Also worth noting, for the 'Rivet' style, I have a set of these and love them...

push pin removers pliers

Unlike the christmas trees, I can get about 50% of the push pin ones out in reusable shape.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Garfunkel that is what I have used simply a pry bar. I did buy a set similar to these auto body tools from Princess Auto but are a bit flimsy.

 

[Fedwrench]

This is probably my favorite Christmas tree type trim retainer tool. It has an indexable head for different angles of attack. However, I'm not sure if SK still makes it, and it has at least doubled in price since I picked mine up years ago. I think SK had it on steals & deals recently, before that feature stopped.

Indexing Head Body Clip Puller

Indexing Head Body Clip Puller

sktools.com

 

[ChefRex]

Damn Fred I thought you cost me some money till I saw the price! I have various versions of above listed tools, sometimes they work but quite often I will drill through them.

 

[garfunkle24]

This is probably my favorite Christmas tree type trim retainer tool. It has an indexable head for different angles of attack. However, I'm not sure if SK still makes it, and it has at least doubled in price since I picked mine up years ago. I think SK had it on steals & deals recently, before that feature stopped.

Indexing Head Body Clip Puller

Indexing Head Body Clip Puller

sktools.com

Mine was around $50cdn when I got it. Not sure on time frame, guessing 8 or 9 years ago.

I got the 6648 at the same time, but i've used more as a general prybar/pokey device than for clips.

 

[Fedwrench]

I probably got it that long ago too. I got the two piece kit that came in a white plastic box with an assortment of trim fasteners from Epsteins when it was newly released. I want to say it was like $65. There's no way in hell that I would plop down today's asking price though. US made or not. I think the trim tool pictured above with the pry side and poke side, was meant for Nissan trim clips, where they have a center pin than you push inward to release and then pry out. I'm not sure if I've ever used it on trim clips but, I only have a few Nissans in the fleet.
Next to trim tools, which have gotten way out of hand with specializing, are hose clamp pliers and their related tools but, that's another thread.