How on earth do you fit / remove these b*****y things?

[OhGranny]

Can anyone identify these fittings for the radiator end panels and how do they work?
Do they pull off, Twist off or do you need a tool to remove them.
They are driving me mad can't seem to get them off or on easily to decorate.
Thanks

 

[kidgreen61]

They usually clip on the port of the rad, failing that, you may have to fit the end panel, then put the plastic insert in.

 

[Madrab]

is it to get them off the panels or to position them so the panels come off the rad?

They are twist clips. They fit over the tapping of the rad then twist so the open end points upwards, that locks the end panel onto the rad, when removing the panel you twist them again so the open end points down so the panel can be pushed up and unclipped.

They just unclip off the panel. Use a pair of long nosed pliers to push the clips in and pop it off.

 

[OhGranny]

Problem is even with them twisted round, (and that's no easy task) so the open end of the U is pointing down they still won't pull up over the pipe!
The diameter is too big for the opening to pass over the radiator pipe.
I can't pull them out as they foul on the thermostatic valve.
I've got them off with a lot of cursing and huffing and puffiing and brute force.

 

[MickyP10]

Devil's spawn, and often the rad heat makes them brittle. As above, try turning/squeezing them from behind to push them out.

 

[Madrab]

Stelrad fixings - make sure the open end of the clip is facing down, top and bottom, the end panel then pushes up and then out at the bottom and pulls off from the top panel.

 

[OhGranny]

thanks a lot for the help.