2000 Audi A4 Exterior door handle painted covers

Interior problem
2000 Audi A4 4 cyl Four Wheel Drive Manual

Audi A4 B5 2000my

I would like to remove the OUTER door handle painted covers to repaint then. I have looked on VW/Audi's electronic workshop manual (ELSA) and it show, rather poorly, that the cover is retained by a pln/clip which is removed & the cover just unclips. However I'm unable to remove them as I cannot locate the said pin/clip. I have asked on forums & I've been told you need to strip down the door and remove the whole handle assembly to gain access. I have spoke to one guy who says you don't need to and tried, rather poorly, to explain how to remove the handles via the clip from a small square access hole on the side of the handle (you need to raise the handle to open door position) I can see the hole in question but I'm unable to find the clip. Please help!