Just realized a paint mixing stick solves that annoying gap in door panel clips

I kept fighting with those plastic door panel clips that never seat all the way flush (you know the ones). Tried a trim tool, a flathead screwdriver, nothing got them to click in right. Last week at my buddy's shop in Dallas he hands me a paint mixing stick cut at a 45 degree angle and tells me to wedge it under the clip while pushing. Worked on the first try, no broken clips either. Anyone else got a weird tool hack that saves your hands from bleeding?

3 comments

3 Comments

sagew5026d ago

Half the battle is figuring out that sweet spot angle on the wedge... I've snapped a few clips getting impatient with a flathead, but a sharpened paint stick gives you way more control. Definitely gonna try heating the blade next time, that's a solid tip for the brittle winter plastic.

hugo_schmidt26d ago

Heating the blade first is smart, but that butter knife idea cracks me up. Bet your car's interior smelled like a fully loaded grilled cheese for a week after that. At the end of the day, we're out here using salad tongs as trim tools and calling it a pro move. Since when did working on cars turn into a round of kitchen junk drawer roulette?

the_ryan26d ago

Used a butter knife once when I couldn't find my trim tools. Heated the blade first to soften the plastic and it slid right in without cracking the clip. Took a minute to figure out the angle but worked perfect.