A tool having a grip head and a stem is placed behind the body panel to which the fuel door is hinged. The grip head interfaces with the goose neck of the fuel door at a location not visible to an onlooker when the fuel door is at its open position. The grip head has a predetermined shape which allows it to grasp the goose neck, whereby rotation of the stem (manually or robotically) results in opening and closing of the fuel door selectively as needed for a painting process to ensue.