Custom Grill Thoughts

[MAC]

I was out there for half a hour figuring this thing out.
1- The first I must do is to remove the plastic mesh (round holes) center cover, that's the piece between DRLs and under the grill.
2- It is held on by the 5 or more plastic clips.
3- I tried clamp on the clip to push it out, that didn't work.
4- I tried pull it out but fear I might break the plastic retaining clips.
5- To pull it, the hood is closed, 2nd person can't see the back of clips. If the hood is open where one can see the clip, you can't pull it.
6- So how do you pull that piece of plastic out? I can measure and mark the clip spots. Just pull?

a- I see the guard is bolted on by 2 big screws to each hood hinge, I can get to them if I remove the center plastic cover.
b- Offroad lights can be pulled in 1 second.
c- The grill is the easy part, held on by 4 screws.

Thanks.