Here's the deal. I bought a new boot. The car did not come with a boot. The boot is very difficult to get on. Difficult enough that I won't be using it. The hard plastic clips are just too tough to get on and I'm concerned I'll scratch my paint in the process. Is there way to adjust the clips so they will snap on easier? The other option I have to convert into snaps.

I can tell you this - I've had mine since new, off the showroom floor, and the original boot was never easy to put on. You had to stretch it, particularly as you got to the final few clips. Making sure it is warm (leaving it in the sun) will help. I found that I had to press the back of the clips with my thumb (through the vinyl) in order to get enough pressure for it to mount onto the chrome molding. I always thought I would do damage to the vinyl, but never did. Also be sure that the chrome hooks on both sides are folded down, otherwise it can damage and it will be even harder to stretch. What I'm saying is that it sounds like you have a normal fitting boot. I would not suggest converting it to a snap boot.

Are you installing the "hook" side of the clips first? (meaning the rearward, outward side first). I start by folding the boot in half, (finish top to finish top), lay it over half the well, and start with the middle rear clip. I reach one hand under the boot to help guide while 'hooking' the first clip on, then snapping the longer piece downward with pressure over the top of the boot. Then work your way along the rest of that rear edge. Then I jump over to the other rear edge after gently folding the boot over that way. If you are slightly off center, now you can gently tug or push the clips along the chrome to adjust left or right and tightening to get rid of as many wrinkles as possible. Then do the sides and the interior snaps last. Then you have to go back and tuck the front of the boot edge behind the seat frame. Believe me, if the boot is not TIGHT, it will lift and blow in a stiff cross wind. To remove the boot, do the same in reverse. You need to reach your hand under the boot to pop the clips upward from underneath, then remove the "hook" portion as you go.
I will admit it is a PITA, but it looks so much nicer with the boot on.

And I agree with OHC, do NOT switch to snaps. You will devalue your car a couple thousand bucks doing that.

The boots sucks period! Putting it on is just an exercise of frustration. Mine is a good quality one from Ames. I'm sure they all come from the same place.

I use the original boot on my red 'vert, and have repops on my other 'verts. Now I won't say I love putting the boots on, but after the first ten or twenty times, it gets a lot easier. And you can't beat the way it looks ON the car verses OFF the car!

I tend to not keep the top down for more than a day or two, so believe me, there is a lot of 'boot on, boot off' going around my place.

The first time I put the repop boot on my '67, I thought it fit better than the original one I have for my 400. I don't know who the manufacturer was. It was a $69 Epay special. But it was nice! It did not have any labels sewn on it or anything to identify manufacturer.

Does any one else have a problem with securing the front flap of the boot? There were a few times when at highway speeds the
boot would lift in front and puff up like a baloon. I was worried that it might even fly off.
To solve the problem I permenantly attached it between the seat back and the seat frame. When the top is up I lay the boot in the well. To put the top down, I lay the boot over the seat back and flip it over the top once it is down. Works pretty well and no more lifting problems

Yes, in a high cross wind. I try to tuck and stretch the flap as much as I can down into the space between the seat and the top. I have had the parachute effect happen more than once out on the highway.

Poor design on GM's part. Should have had a channel or clip system (like other Mfr's had) for the flap.

The first couple times I used the boot when I got the car I had that issue. Since then I stop the lowering the top at about a half foot before the down position and tuck the forward fold in to add an extra fold. Then the boot front flap seems to sit well down in the hole. I can't recall it ballooning up much if ever since. (It is still the factory original boot.)

Also, I have one repro clip that won't snap on. I'll be replacing it as soon as I put the top down for the summer. Thankfully, that may be soon. We had our first 70 degree day yesterday, six months to the day from the last time it crossed 70.

I sewed a couple strips of Velcro on the inside of the front flap of the boot, and added a corresponding piece on the rear seat brace to hold things down.

Good idea Lee!

Is there enough room to add a couple of snaps on the flap here to help hold it?

I don't know where you could put anything without it showing when the top is up. The well liner covers the seat frame, so a snap or Velcro would have to go over that. At least with Velcro, it could be color matched to make it a little less noticeable.

Oh. I have not seen how the boot fits yet.
I was thinking the flap tucked in between the seat and the seat frame and the snap could be hidden behind the seat back but still be able to snap.

You can't even get a fingernail in that space once the seat is installed.
It would work if you has a fold-down seat, but then it would show when the seat is down.

I hated the boot installation ,so much that I rarely had top up....because of the boot coming back on after...it was a pain...but several guys in HALF have gone the other route , added snaps to the stainless piece and snaps on that way.....not "original" , but works great.

my Alfa has the same style snaps as the original GM boots , but smaller, seem to work a little easier.....

Thanks for all of the reply's. I need to play around with it some more. Hopefully in the summer it will loosen up. I'll get back to everyone once I've put more time in. Thanks for the advice.

All good comments thanks. I think I'm going to wait for it to heat up around here then try again. I also check with a couple of local firebird convertible guys when we meet in the next month. I had a 66 mustang convertible at one point and the snaps sure made it easy though. Don't worry I'll leave it as is.