No plastic clips. The cross section of the trim strip describes a "T" shape. The vertical part of the T is pressed into metal clips riveted to the roof panel at several locations along the length of the strip. (See pic. For orientation, the black object at the top of the photo is the sunroof glass.) To remove the trim strip, you just pull it straight up at those locations. To avoid damaging the painted surface (and bending the trim strip), a body shop would use plastic wedges to lift it.

BTW, these trim strips are about $100 each, prepainted.

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