Technical Removing Falcon's interior door handles

I'm sure someone can help me out on how to remove my 63 Falcon's interior door handle. The picture below will show you how it sits in a slight indention, not allowing me to get a door handle remover in behind it to push the spring up.
Is there another way to do this? I'm afraid of scratching the paint if I keep messing around with it.
There appears to be a little notch on the edge of the round part of the handle itself. Wondering if that's the key to the removal.

 

It helps if you have a door handle removal tool to slid in between the handle and the door panel,it's used to push out the C clip.HRP

 

Mustangs have a flat head screw or a hex key accessed behind grab-part of handle. It tightens against splined shaft.
If you are lucky, they will be similar.

 

if the removal tool doesnt work, a dental pick style hook tool is what i use.

 

There used to be a pliers-type handle tool that may work better if you can find one...

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e2/7e/5e/e27e5eccbf81cac711bf975a2cd585f7.jpg

 

The tool I posted is what I have used many times on my falcons,the tool is inexpenzive and available at most auto parts housed. HRP

 

Danny, that's what they replaced the pliers-type with (cheaper to make). I never felt it was an improvement, but it is what it is...

Put a couple of layers of masking tape over the paint before using the tool for protection.

 

In a pinch you can also use 2 really small flat screwdrivers

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Get a rag / cloth, slide the edge behind the handle and pull it against the shaft.. Turn the handle or slide the rag, either way it hooks on one end of the clip and flicks it out, be careful when removing the rag and handle, cos there's a clip somewhere in there..

 

You can get the removal tool at just about any auto parts store. The escutcheon (the chrome ring behind the handle) is spring loaded so you can push it in towards the door to make space enough to insert the removal tool. Also, you want to install the removal tool under the grab-handle side, so the indentation/recess isn't really an issue. As far as clip removal, sometimes you gotta wiggle the tool a lot to get it to fully seat in the handle groove. You can tell when it moves in that last 1/8" or so and kind of locks into place. If you have a spare handle lying around you can practice on it. It also helps to push the handle in towards the door while wiggling the tool to unload any pressure on the clip.

At worst, the escutcheon is chrome plated plastic and you can destroy it and replace with new ones pretty cheaply.

 

Use the rag trick as stated.
that's the same trick one has to use on the early vets.