How to remove plastic retaining clips quickly

[Phil Cose]

While looking for a piece of steel to make a tool for the above subject, I saw my carpenters claw hammer, I used the claw end to go each side of the clip and prized out the clips with ease. I placed my thumb on top of the clip so as not to create undue pressure. They were all off in seconds.

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[Andrew Button]

look for the trim tools at Harbor freight. They work great and don’t mess anything up

[Phil Cose]

whilst I wouldn’t argue that the correct tools are the way to go ,it’s quite a walk to LA from Brisbane Australia, Also I wanted to do the job today hence the acceptable standby tool, I remove quite a few clips without damage. I couldn’t find it but somewhere I have a gardening tool just like the ones illustrated for trim, (The store you mentioned looked a useful one) If you can’t find your proper tool, these at least are useful substitutes.

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To cheer the day: If clairvoyants were genuine, you wouldn’t have to make appointments They would know you are coming.

[Andrew Button]

The problem with gardening tools is that they are usually not flat and could the potential to actually damage the flat surface the time sits on… end up making your sheetmetal look like a Brown-eyed mullet.

[Andrew Button]

The problem with gardening tools is that they are usually not flat and could the potential to actually damage the flat surface the trim sits on… end up making your sheetmetal look like a Brown-eyed mullet.

[Phil Cose]

That’s so, I was thinking of beating it flat…No substitute for the correct tool though as I mentioned before.

[Lorrin Barth]

I’ve noticed that often, especially with the smaller sized plastic fasteners, that after a 100K of a plastic body part rattling against them, they are chewed half through anyway. So I yank them any quick way and replace with new.

[Phil Cose]

Yes you are right that is another factor to consider, when I have not had clips to hand I have used a suitable sized washer and self-tapping screw.

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