Anyone have a good technique for removing the trunk lid springs? I don't want to damage them and I am curious if there is an easy solution

They are tight as heck, but I was able to move them to a different position (3 position notches on the bar) by using a Big A$$ Vise-Grip pair of pliers on the spring end and pulling like crazy. It did scratch the paint on the spring a little, but it will do the trick.

use a wire coat hanger on the hook of the spring

Now, the question is: how to re-install them without scratching the paint?

touch it up afterwards.....

If you remove the plastic cover you can probably crack the trunk about half way and use the penny trick - shove pennies/coins in between the coils until you've got it mostly full, then open the trunk the rest of the way. The pennies will keep the spring from compressing again when you open the lid and you should be able to unhook it then.