A small screwdriver or a butter knife works fine in my experience removing clips like that. If you do get clip removal tools if they're too thick or blunt they might not work well.

A tool set that looks pretty good for the price is

Amazon.com: GOOACC 19Pcs Trim Removal Tool Set Panel Fastener Clips Removal Automotive Plastic Upholstery Pliers Removal Install Pry Car Tool with Storage Bag for Trim Panel Door Audio Clip Pliers Terminal : Automotive

Buy GOOACC 19Pcs Trim Removal Tool Set Panel Fastener Clips Removal Automotive Plastic Upholstery Pliers Removal Install Pry Car Tool with Storage Bag for Trim Panel Door Audio Clip Pliers Terminal: Automotive - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

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I have several sets of panel clip removal tools. And a carpet tack puller, a butter knife, and old steak knife, and a bunch of jewelers and other small screw drivers. Solutions galore, and invariably at lease one of them will work! Every situation seems to be different.

 

Tape on a flat head screw driver works too. So you don't scrape the paint. I have plastic kit that came with a tackel box of trim clips off Amazon. I end up using the plastic trim tools on things I used to pry with a screw driver. I pulled off the factory spash guards for the weathertech ones. It was simple but I am used to pulling the trim fasteners.

 

This - Amazon.com

 

Two-piece fasteners can usually be removed by hand after popping up the inner portion with a small screwdriver. There are also rivet-style clips that are released by pushing the stem inwards with some pointed object.

 

I use a tack puller. I pull my wheel wells yearly for rust proofing.

Rando pic for reference.

4 in. Round Shaft Standard Tack Puller Screwdriver with Butyrate Handle

I have the nice trim puller kit. You really need to use at least three of those pullers to get all the different sized clips out. A cheap tack puller is close enough in size, strong enough to pull any clips on the bottom of the car. It has just enough shape that you aren't going to impale yourself or the paint. One $4 tool to do all. May wish to try Harbor Freight for a cheap one.

 

I had a bear of a time pulling those mudflap clips, some combo of screwdriver/needlenose pliers/fingers worked but it took a while.

 

Out of curiosity did you remove the wheels?

 

I just used a very small flat head screwdriver for the fasteners with the little groove to 'pop' them up. As avk said, the fasteners with the round 'button' in the center need to have the button pushed inward to release them. A nail set tool works good for that. To reinstall those button type, after you get them out push the button towards the outside, so it protrudes from the surface of the fastener, and then when you insert it back in the hole push the button in to hold the fastener in place.

 

I bought this Trim tool kit on Amazon for the exact same reason. It worked fine.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions! I was looking at the car yesterday and it actually looks like I have the OEM mud flaps. 🤦‍♂️ Are the Weathertech mud flaps much of an improvement or should I send them back?

 

I would send the Weathertechs back if your car has the actual OEM mud flaps (not the splash guards).

 

EDIT: they’re definitely the splash guards so I’ll keep the Weathertechs. Thanks!

Hmmm…they’re pretty short. Maybe there are photos online of the mud flaps vs. splash guards? If I can find any, I’ll post a pic of what I have here. Thanks!

 

If you do keep the Weathertech mud flaps I might be interested in buying your OEM ones! What model year is your Outback?

 

Here's the mud flaps: