Front Bumper Cover Install Help

1998 Grand AM SE

I have the bumper cover painted and ready to install, and see exactly what I need to remove, but I am having all kinds of difficulty trying to get the plastic clips off. Both on the splash guards in the wheel wells and at the top of the cover under the hood. It really seems like they may need to be cut off - but the new cover certainly didn't come with any...

Any tips how to get them off would be appreciated.

I did find in this forum from 11/2003 a post saying it's really easy and should take 5 minutes. What am I missing??

If your clips look like the center is a seperate piece, then the center must be either pulled out or pushed through first - depend on the style of clip.