I use a piece of 1 3/4 exhaust tubing split in half length wise with a washer that just fits the ID welded/brazed at each end. Open the hood just enough to reach arm through and snap tool into place in spring coil gaps and then raise hood to full open position. Springs usually fall onto floor. To paint, the spring is hooked one end to a socket extension clamped in the vise and the other end to a come-a-long which is hooked to the far end of the bench. Work come-a-long till spring has good gaps for painting and leave until paint has dried.

Evan