So after looking at numerous posts documenting removal of the tail light to remove the rings, followed by other numerous posts saying "how can it be that different" than other models, I went for it.
I started to try with a flat head screw driver but that was going to do damage either to the paint or the chrome. I wasn't positive that I wanted to keep the black line look so I didnt want to do damage.
The key was a plastic spatula. The one I used is pretty stiff. You have to pry relatively hard. I had it in my cooking drawer. This is the first time I ever used it. Now I know what it was designed for

So out of all the clips (18 total: 3 on each side, 1 on top, 2 on the bottom), I only broke one on one side and cracked one on the other side. They are in the exact same position: lower inside corner. Also the last ones to release. I started on the outside (pushing the spatula between the light and the trim) and worked my way towards the inside. I also had to do a little prying between the paint and the trim but the plastic spatula didn't leave any marks.

Whew. Thank goodness for cooking utensils that hang out in your drawer for years.

 

A few more pics of the clips

 

The final plastidip result. I think my husband is a little upset with me that I only use cooking utensils to remove the trim on my car Just kidding, I do cook on an as needed basis. But it's way more fun to plastidip stuff

 

Thanks for the post!

I think I might try gloss black vinyl or maybe that 3M carbon fiber stuff instead of the plastidip