Star Wars air cleaner questions

I want to remove and repaint my Star Wars air cleaner. But I don't know how to remove the little round thingamajijjers that hold on the BUICK letters and Tri-shield emblem
I tried to pry them off (they are not nuts) but they just dig into the soft studs more and I'm worried the studs will break off.

So my questions are:
How do I remove these and where can I buy more after I'm ready to put it all together?

 

Here's another picture that shows the little prongs on the round press on things better.

 

Dang It...It Broke....

Those can be very tough. I do not have a simple solution, all I can say is you have to pry them up slowly with a very small screwdiver. Once they get going they get easier. The other thing I thought about was using a dremel with a very small bit to cut them off.

I bought some similar press on retainers. I am not sure what size. I can check when I get home what size I used.

Hope this helps a little and good luck. :TU:

 

Todd: When I removed mine, I put some oil on the studs and tapped them with a small hammer and they worked themselves right off. To reinstall, I cleaned the studs with fingernail polish remover and pressed the keepers back on. They held real tight and I haven't had a problem since. I wouldn't recommend cutting any thing. Good luck.

Jan Garwig

 

Ya know, now that you mention it, that is right. I pryed a few off, but then used a small peice of wood and a hammer to lightly tap on the studs.

Kudos Jan :TU:

 

I tapped on the studs, first, then I pried the letters from the Front, CAREFULLY, one stud at a time, until the retainers all popped off. Then the script just slid right out. :TU: o No:

Just be Patient with it, so you don't damage anything!

You should be able to buy "clip retainers" at your local hardware store. There's many different styles available, that might be easier to remove later if you might need to again! :Smarty:

 

Thanks guys for all the advice. It worked.

Now how long do I let the oven cleaner soak on the air cleaner to get all the paint off? I had it soaking (EZ-Off oven cleaner) for about 20minutes and it looked like it took off one or two layers of red paint but it still looks like it did when I started.
I don't know the history of this Star Wars air cleaner but boy-o-boy does it have layers of paint....

Thank You