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Quality trim clips removal tool set wanted

silkman

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2021
Messages
367
Location
Athens
I can't begin to tell you how many of your plastic tools I have broken and had to replace on my dime trying to get push pins and different plastic clips/panels off without damage. There is no proper tool, you use what works without damaging the surrounding panel.

As far as I'm concerned most of them should be a one time use part.

If you are willing to be without your vehicle for another day or two while the mechanic waits for the new plastic clips to come in I'm sure they would be happy to replace them.
Yes, I expect that the tool will break, well, replace it. And of course for every clip there is a proper tool and proper procedure to remove it, obviously it won't last 20 times but it will last 10-15 if removed correctly.

For example, SMA didn't know that you can very easily remove some clips with a 7 or 8mm socket, push it boom, removed in 2 seconds.

Posted in the comments
 
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jpaw

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2018
Messages
525
Location
Michigan
Yes, I expect that the tool will break, well, replace it. And of course for every clip there is a proper tool and proper procedure to remove it, obviously it won't last 20 times but it will last 10-15 if removed correctly.

For example, SMA didn't know that you can very easily remove some clips with a 7 or 8mm socket, push it boom, removed in 2 seconds.

Posted in the comments
Spoken like a true diyer.
I save my plastic for the delicate pieces.

And I like that you slam the mechanics and then just skip right over my last comment.
 

M635_Guy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 5, 2019
Messages
4,336
Location
NC

I just use one of these for trim and delicate prying nowadays, retired all the plastic tools and bulky stuff with handles.

One of the best tools I've ever bought 👍

I don't work on auto trim but I have that pry bar and it's incredibly useful for so many things. A great $20.00 investment, in my opinion.

Awesome for splitting gasket surfaces after the initial break. Able to wiggle in tight areas and split the RTV.


Skin Wedge trim tool.jpg
"Skin Wedge" trim tools in a 3-pack.
Currently the best price on these is from Aircraft Tool Supply Company
I paid more than I needed to by buying them from an Ebay seller (I wasn't aware of the ATS deal until after I'd already made the purchase.)
Either way: you're going to get a Taiwan-made unit.


They feel pretty stout - a lot stiffer and heavier than I had expected. :thumbup:

I'm with the rest of the crew that has and loves these. I originally got two, and gave one to a friend because he's a great guy that does work and deserves one. That means I need to replenish. A three-pack will do nicely...
 

four.cycle

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
29,140
Location
Tacoma, Washington
M635_guy said:
".... gave one to a friend because he's a great guy that does work and deserves one ..."

I only kept one out of the 3-pack for myself. I gave the other two to my buddy who's doing the fixes on the trucks here.
He seemed pleased. :thumbup:
 
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richfinn

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
4,817
Location
Leeds, Yorkshire, England
Yes, I expect that the tool will break, well, replace it. And of course for every clip there is a proper tool and proper procedure to remove it, obviously it won't last 20 times but it will last 10-15 if removed correctly.

For example, SMA didn't know that you can very easily remove some clips with a 7 or 8mm socket, push it boom, removed in 2 seconds.

Posted in the comments

I have a set of the Bojo plastic trim tools that I rarely use nowadays (but they are the best quality I have found)

I use my skin wedge for tow eye covers, opening up car keys to change batteries and awkward interior trim (and working around engines and electrical connectors)

It's perfect for my needs, thin enough to get behind stuff, stiff enough to pop the clips without bending or slipping out and a nice radius so not to damage the plastic or paint.

You could have one powder coated or dipped in liquid plastic if you work on very expensive cars.

I also use my air wedge quite a bit (inflatable plastic bag with a stiff piece of plastic inside designed to slip between the door and frame for vehicle lock out work) you can slide it behind panels and gently create enough of a gap to get another tool in or pop the clips (if you have ever dealt with a seized up hood release mechanism they can save a lot of time and broken parts!!!)
 

Vicks

Well-known member
Joined
May 23, 2019
Messages
178
Location
Dubai
These are probably one of the best out there. I did add a little bit of heat shrink tubing in the Vessel to prevent marking glossy plastic surfaces if any, in the car.
11ADED1C-94E9-4461-93F9-84113D407279.jpeg
 
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