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Show your trim/clip tools

Hpozzuoli

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Dec 11, 2013
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Location
Rhode Island
Here's what I have for dedicated trim stuff. Typically a good long Prybar/screwdriver works or a pick set.

Good idea for a thread. Nice to see whats out there.
 

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97tbird

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Mar 4, 2013
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Plainfield, IL
here are some of mine
ScreenShot2014-07-06at22624PM_zpsa95bd240.png
 

kythri

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Jan 3, 2007
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Lebanon, OR
Where did you get the orange ones from? What brand are they?

The light orange stuff to the right is all Astro Pneumatic.

The darker orange wedges to the left, I want to say that I got them from Northern Tool or some such place. They're not name-brand anything, as far as I can remember.
 
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90zcar

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Here are 3 that I have aquired since I started this thread
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1417540467.130384.jpg


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Sine Swept

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Feb 2, 2014
Messages
440
The only trim I could never disassemble was in a Subaru Forester +2011. The floor trim between the kick panel and the B pillar, I could not get it unlocked from the kick panel for the life of me. It had been previously toyed with as I could see already broken snaps in areas down the driver side.
 

Laugarshabz

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Jul 24, 2014
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Have never had it used any trim clip tools. Now I need a whole set of them after seeing everyone's.

Are the plastic ones sturdy enough to not break?
 
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90zcar

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I use the plastic ones on door panels where I don't want to scratch the paint on the door itself as I slide it in. Plastic also good for dash stuff.
I use the metal ones for everywhere else.....splash guards,bumper covers etc

One thing tho....the pair of panel clip "pliers" that I pictured above I honestly have not found a use for yet. I acquired them back in July in a box lot I purchased at an estate sale.
If anyone knows a definite need for em....let me know


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Peetje GTI

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Aug 26, 2014
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I use the plastic ones on door panels where I don't want to scratch the paint on the door itself as I slide it in. Plastic also good for dash stuff.
I use the metal ones for everywhere else.....splash guards,bumper covers etc

One thing tho....the pair of panel clip "pliers" that I pictured above I honestly have not found a use for yet. I acquired them back in July in a box lot I purchased at an estate sale.
If anyone knows a definite need for em....let me know


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They are for VW/Audi door panels ;)
 

jjjrmx5

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Cincinnati, OH
I use the plastic ones on door panels where I don't want to scratch the paint on the door itself as I slide it in. Plastic also good for dash stuff.
I use the metal ones for everywhere else.....splash guards,bumper covers etc

One thing tho....the pair of panel clip "pliers" that I pictured above I honestly have not found a use for yet. I acquired them back in July in a box lot I purchased at an estate sale.
If anyone knows a definite need for em....let me know


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If by clip "pliers" you mean the two piece handles units where you squeeze to make the forks separate, those are for Christmas Trees, aka barb plugs that are commonly used in the headliners of Chevy Suburbans and GMC Tahoes.
Like these:
https://store.snapon.com/Specialty-Door-Tools-Tool-Clip-Removal-P636315.aspx


Both forks slide under the plug, but the bottom fork presses againt the fiberglass headliner without maring it or the fabric while the top fork raises and pulls the Christmas Tree out of the hole.
Fastener gets removed and very delicate headliner shows no marks.

Lots of other uses, but it's mainly used where prying will make a mark, as the 2 piece forks negate prying at all.
:)
 
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90zcar

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If by clip "pliers" you mean the two piece handles units where you squeeze to make the forks separate, those are for Christmas Trees, aka barb plugs that are commonly used in the headliners of Chevy Suburbans and GMC Tahoes.

Like these:

https://store.snapon.com/Specialty-Door-Tools-Tool-Clip-Removal-P636315.aspx





Both forks slide under the plug, but the bottom fork presses againt the fiberglass headliner without maring it or the fabric while the top fork raises and pulls the Christmas Tree out of the hole.

Fastener gets removed and very delicate headliner shows no marks.



Lots of other uses, but it's mainly used where prying will make a mark, as the 2 piece forks negate prying at all.

:)


Yep those are it. I still don't know about that tho as it's not much different than sticking the right clip tool in there. Ur still applying pressure at two different points with either tool.


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yjWrangler

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Nov 24, 2010
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Location
Pittsburgh, PA
I hate the ones you have to screw out.

Like these?

3272.jpg


I had the worst time with those until a guy at work just told me the easiest thing to do with them. Just get a flat head pocket screwdriver and start unscrewing it, then pull it out with a trim tool. Never rounds them off.
 

jjjrmx5

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Cincinnati, OH
Yep those are it. I still don't know about that tho as it's not much different than sticking the right clip tool in there. Ur still applying pressure at two different points with either tool.


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When you deal with a production line of Armoured Suburbans for various Gov'ts and agencies throughout the world, I can GUARANTEE that is a prime use of that tool.

Price out a new 2014 Suburban headliner. Then price out the time to replace one. That will include a LOT of time and manual labor.

**** up the headlienr fabric and you have no other option than to replace it. You just can't fuss it back into place or hide the blem or rip in the fabric you just caused. And the headliner has foam. The will show an indentation as well.
Sliding sunroof cover---not so much a big deal.

Hire dubassses that don;t get that = revolving door of unemployed dumbasses.

Yes-the tool IS that important.
Can't pry on fabric it will tear or mar.
Can pry against headliner foam or it will show the imprint.
Can't pry against thin fiberglass headliner or it will crack and then it's a bigger mess.
 
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90zcar

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torqueman2002

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SE Michigan
Torqueman I'm pretty sure he is talking about these
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1417569657.463067.jpg

But most the time for those style clips I pop the centers out with a little seal tool or pocket screwdriver and then a normal clip tool for the main body to come out


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I'm sure those work also, the one I posted I use on GM clips. But, I'm pretty sure other mfg's use the same/similar clips.

The rubber doughnut slides on the shaft to adjust for leverage on different size/style trim clips. The tool works well, I haven't used other styles; so, I can't compare.
 
Joined
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Just spotted this thread and figured I might as well add to it with my collection. I did headliner R&I for a decade and the Mac door panel tool in the middle is a beast.
 

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Brownsfan

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Cleveland Ohio
99.9% of everything interior can be done with these:

$_35.JPG

SGSR104AR.jpg

I thought I was the only one who used those o-ring tools on interior panels. The actually work VERY well on trim around interior door handles. I own pretty much EVERY tool shown in this thread plus some. I take apart interior panels on just about every make and model daily. So I have to buy them all of course.:beer:
 
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90zcar

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Guess I'll post my clip/pry tool drawer since I got more and a diff box since I started this thread
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1417628137.974592.jpg


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Exceller8

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Jul 19, 2012
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Banning, CA
As promised, here is the lot from ebay. Some tools are incomplete but I really bought these for the Matco M-163's as they're kind of hard to find.

The seller originally wanted $99 + shipping for the lot, but lowered the price to $59.99 + shipping and I offered $50 + shipping and he accepted. Not an outstanding deal, but like I said, the Matco 163's are kind of hard to find.

Anyone know what the tool with the zip tied extra piece is for? I've never seen a tool like that. I assume it's some kind of moulding/clip tool.
 

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firworks

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IL
AutoFixPal just did a video on those HF clip pliers. Pretty amazing how fast they are removing panels:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZS_HolulT1U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 

FigureItOut

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Sep 14, 2015
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Bentonville AR
These cover 95% of my needs and are all I carry working mobile. I've also got the rest of the Bojo tools, a longer version of the SnapOn tool pictured, and some 24" clip poppers that are great for removing the trim panels on the rear hatch of SUVs.60ee6e74171655b82fe8dd1b8049d392.jpg
 

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dalehsc

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New Brunswick Canada
Odds & sods, The Orange handled Snap on ones get the most use with body clips, the black Snap on for interior trim, but what ever works
 

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ddc9999

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Dec 14, 2018
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128
These cover 95% of my needs and are all I carry working mobile. I've also got the rest of the Bojo tools, a longer version of the SnapOn tool pictured, and some 24" clip poppers that are great for removing the trim panels on the rear hatch of SUVs.60ee6e74171655b82fe8dd1b8049d392.jpg

What is the left pliers with the black handle exactly with respect to the angle of the jaws? If you were going to get one size angle what would it be? Straight, about 45 or 90?

And why have these pliers and the ones on the right? Don't they do the same job? Or are the plier on the left for when there's no usable backing to pry off of for the clip. Like if the clip is recessed in somewhere so you have to come straight at it from the top.

Thanks!
 

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FigureItOut

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What is the left pliers with the black handle exactly with respect to the angle of the jaws? If you were going to get one size angle what would it be? Straight, about 45 or 90?



And why have these pliers and the ones on the right? Don't they do the same job? Or are the plier on the left for when there's no usable backing to pry off of for the clip. Like if the clip is recessed in somewhere so you have to come straight at it from the top.



Thanks!
The ones on the right are more versatile and I use them very differently. They're handy for clips attached to larger, thin trim pieces like a sill plate, so I can get underneath and pry up on the thick part of the plastic right at the clip. They're also good for so called Christmas tree clips. The ones on the left I really only use for the two piece rivet type plastic clips, where you must lift the center pin portion in order to release the clip.

The left ones jaws are about 45°, and they work very well for their particular application, but I could do without them. The Steck pliers on the right are essential to me. I've added a new piece to my trim kit that I love. This little guy is stellar when there's a very tight little gap between large panels that are very firmly clipped in.

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ddc9999

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Dec 14, 2018
Messages
128
Thanks so much for all the info! I like how you have a nice blend of usable tools without overdoing it with 100 pieces of stuff. I do a lot of stuff on the go so some of these setups people have aren’t practical to me.

Can I ask you a couple more questions? The U Fork screwdriver with the ball, do you really use that much since you have the plastic ones? I have one that is a bit crappier looking than yours and I find I rarely go to it.

As for the seal remover tool, looks like the mini but is that the straight or curved one? I saw they have a set of 4 online but you save $1 on the set rather than buying individually so I’d rather just get the what is useful. Less money and less space that way. Do you ever even reach for the long ones? I feel like with that length it would just snap if used for anything that the little one couldn’t work for.

Lastly, do you even bother with a plastic spluger or however you spell it? I used to have one that I snapped so quickly. Since then I prefer just using a small flathead, but I don’t love doing it next to electronics.
 
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