How to Remove Plastic Push Fasteners on a Car Fender

The plastic push fasteners are reusable rivets that have ribs on the shank to securely fasten the liners. Some push fasteners remove quite simply, while others require a more forceful approach.

Things You'll Need

  • Thin flat-head screwdriver
  • Phillips-head screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Look for a pin in the center of the push fastener head. Pry the small center pin up with a thin flat-head screwdriver. This pin has a small shaft that spreads the shank apart to secure the liner. Insert a flat-head screwdriver between the bottom edge of the pin and the liner, if there is no center pin in the head. Pry the pin head up enough with the screwdriver that you can grab the head with a pair of pliers.

  • Grasp the edges of the push pin with your fingertips, and pull the pin away from the liner. To install, press the shoulder of the fastener into the hole. Once it is flush with the surface, press in the center pin.

  • Turn the center pin counter-clockwise with a small Phillips-head screwdriver, if the center pin has a slot for the screwdriver. This type of pin does the same thing as the previous, except that it twists to lock the center of the pin.

  • Grab the push pin head with a pair of pliers and pull the pin away from the liner and fender. To install, press the fastener into the hole, then turn the screw to lock it in place.