Tools to remove interior panels?

[GenericUsername]

I will be tackling some interior projects (audio for sure) in the near future. I understand that there are specialized tools that help when removing interior panels on these vehicles - any recommendations? Amazon has about a zillion different sets and I'd prefer to get the right ones the first time.

Planning on doing some soundproofing too, as the 5, for all its good points, is about the noisiest vehicle I've every owned. Tons of buzzes, wind noise, road noise, etc., so some Phatmat is called for...

 

[thaxman]

I would start with a "bone tool" that is basically a nylon butterknife. They are about $11 at ipdusa.com, but since that is a Volvo performance parts outlet, there isn't much more stuff you can buy there that would be any good on a Mazda, so you would have to pay shipping.

 

[Vasy]

Any of the million on Amazon of the plastic wedge type will work.
I used this with good results: https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

Also get a few of: https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)
A coupe will brake for sure during the door trim removal and cost at the dealer is absurd.

Unfortunately I was lazy when doing my matt and did not do filming of any door trim removal, but it is easy... stick the tool in at the bottom of the door trim in and pry

 

[Primergy]

You are located in Detroit and it is the middle of Winter.
Even with the right tool, some plastic fasteners might break. I found them more fragile in cold temps.
On a hot Summer day I was able to pull off a door panel for example by hand, brute force and pop, pop, pop... all plastic rivets came out undamaged.
A warm garage and/or a heatgun, can help as well.

Edit:
Not to mention, elevated temps also help with Butyl-rubber like Phatmat.