I used a short length of 2x4 and a hammer. A rubber mallet is probably a better idea just in-case you miss.

Also a screw driver can be used as a lever to pry it away from the fender. Just make sure you put a rag under the blade and if it dose not want to go, don't push it.

If you want to take the strut tops off to clean off the tar. Just put a jack under the front center of the car and raise up till just before the wheels come off the ground. Then it is pretty easy to push / pull the shock down and pull out the strut top. The wheel on the ground will carry the weight of the strut. If you have a newer gas filed shock you may have work at pushing the shock down.