Intrepid brake light

You can buy a generic trim popper tool at the auto parts store, but it isn't necessary. The special tool is simply a wide flat blade with a groove in it, and a screwdrive-like handle. The groove fits under and around the head of the retainer, and you pry it out of the hole - if you've ever seen a dandelion digging tool, it looks a lot like that, only wider to fully engage the head of the retainer.

Instead (unless you want to buy the tool to add to your arsemnal of tools - it does make the removal a little less skill dependent), use a large flat bladed screw driver to get under the head of the retainers and gently pry and pull on them to pop them out of their holes. A wide blade because that spreads out the forces over a large area so you don't tear the retainer or poke holes in the trim. You just don't have the advantage of pulling up on both sides of the head like you do with the special tool, nut it's very do-able.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my adddress with the letter 'x')