So the dome light is held in with small locking rings the same way the shift boot is secured to the shifter assembly. the problem is i cant just shove a flat head under the ring and pry it off like with the shift boot because I dont want to kink the headliner. any way to remove the little locking rings without ruining my fingers lol. im just digging my fingernails under it and managed to remove one but now my hand is devastated lol

 

If you're talking about these lights (bottom), I just used a credit card to pry them gently. It's sturdy enough to get them off but not sharp enough to damage them.

 

Thank you... I have plastic pry tools for interior sound system installs and I tell friends without tools to use the long side of the credit cards in their pockets. They work fine!

 

Sorry, I am talking about the entire assembly from the back of the headliner. I actually have trim removal tools but the tips are too big and too wide to fit into the small space available. there isnt really enough space to wedge a credit card in and even if i did i dont think id get enough leverage to pry the ring off. is there some type of special tool that fits around these little rings?

 

lol no one?! do you guys just sacrifice your fingernails to paint these things?

 

Have you tried a small pair of needle nose pliers?