Clip Removal Tools: Unlatch Clips and Push Pins With Ease

Without the right tools, removing interior and body panels can be a challenging task because it requires a lot of elbow grease. Mechanics can use tools like a screwdriver to unlatch clips and push pins. However, there are some drawbacks to using screwdrivers compared to having a dedicated trim removal tool. What are these tools? How do you use them? We’ll tackle these questions in this article. 

What Are Trim Removal Tools?

Trim removal tools are meant to slot under vehicle body panels, interior trim pieces, and push pins so that they can be pulled out. Push pin remover tools or car clip removal tools are essentially wedges that come in various shapes and sizes to fit between various trim panels. There are also trim removal tools with a long reach to slot between hard-to-reach areas and unlatch the body panel clips or trim body panels beneath.

Clip Removal Tool Alternatives 

You can use a flathead screwdriver to remove push pins and get in between trim panels. The process involves wedging the screwdriver underneath the pin or trim and gently lifting it. You’ll want to do this slowly and delicately if you don’t want to damage the push pin or trim panel since you’ll be concentrating a lot of force on a small area. 

Unfortunately, the screwdriver’s sharp metal edge can damage the delicate plastic or soft fabric materials found on interior panels. Hence, a screwdriver might only be a good alternative when it comes to removing push pins and clips found under the hood. You can also wrap a fiber cloth at the screwdriver’s tip as a way to prevent damage. 

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The Advantages of Using a Clip Removal Tool 

Trim removal tools offer several advantages compared to using a flathead screwdriver. 

Minimize Damage

Some trim removal tools are specifically intended for interior trim panels. These tools are made from plastic or are coated with a soft material to ensure they don’t scratch or damage soft plastic panels when being wedged. Despite being made with plastic composites, trim removal tools are still quite stiff, which makes them durable enough to be used as leverage when removing trim panels. Old clips can be so hard and brittle that they can’t be removed without damaging them. Spraying WD-40 onto a stuck clip can make it easier to remove.

Achieve Specific Tasks 

There are also trim removal tools called body clip pliers or push pin pliers which are specifically designed to remove push pins. These push pin removal tools are best used on the stubborn push pins located around a vehicle’s interior. 

Since push pins are typically made from plastic, removing them with a lot of leverage can risk damage. Push pin pliers are sharp enough to wedge under the push pins. However, their design allows the pliers to safely lift the push pins without any risk of damage.  

Ease of Use

Using a screwdriver to pry interior panels or push pins is going to require a lot of care since you can easily damage the delicate plastic. To avoid damage, you’ll need to be quite careful, which is going to take a lot more time. However, using a dedicated tool can save you a lot of time fiddling since it can easily slot under the plastic piece and lift it. 

Push pin removal tools can also come in a variety of lengths, which are useful to lift push pins in hard-to-reach places. Additionally, push pins can come in a variety of sizes, so you’ll need the right tool size for the push pin.