How to de-badge - re-badge your car

[genefitz]

In the Exterior section, I have a post about custom emblems. I de-badged and re-badged my car, and would have felt bad if I didn't share how I did it.
Tools needed:
Dental Floss (strong if possible)
Sponge, soapy water, rags, scratch fix wax, wax applicator, and buffing rag.

If re-badging:
New Badges, Ruler, tape, and some old junk mail (a circular would be best)

Starting out:
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Using Dental floss, I cut the glue on the back of the original emblems, to remove them.
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I made sure I kept the original emblems so that if I decided later I want to put them back on, a little trim tape and all is good.
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Cleaning up is the hardest part, that glue does not like to come off. After trying several things, we finally decided Windex did the best job. Now no matter how good you are, scrubbing on your car like that is bound to cause some small scratches. Luckly for me, the new emblems will so much to cover them. but best idea is to use either color match, or some scratch fix wax. It won't make it perfect, but may make it almost un-noticible.
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Past that, I used a ruler to line up the new emblems. If you look very closely, the "S" is not perfect, but once you stick them on, they are there, and not coming off, so be very careful when installing new emblems.
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And there you go, new emblems on, old emblems gone.
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Tune in next week, we will be showing you how to properly perform the hokey pokey. Till next time, LATER DUDE!

[Ron-E-Babe]

rubbing alcohol works great for getting that adhesive off, or finger nail polish remover...just make sure you wax soon after using it.

[genefitz]

Thanks for the advice. I will have to remember that..

[Brainless]

when i removed the LS on my car i used a heatgun\hairdryer and a credit card, the letters came off with noe glue left

[NYChevoo]

In the past for removing glue off of painted surfaces I have used "Ronsonol" lighter fluid with no damage to painted surfaces. Just make sure that you use soapy water right after you use the lighter fluid, then I usually wax the surface.

[Ravenne]

I did this today...







I didn't do such a great job removing the residue of the glue.

Now I'm not sure whether to leave just the emblem, take that off and leave the back empty, or order something customized from youremblem.com So many possibilities, I'm confused.

[cyber3d]

I think there is a product called "Goo Gone" available at hardware stores. I use an industrial product called Bestine. You can find it at graphic art stores. It works great as long as you put polish on after you're done.

[Ravenne]

I ended up using alcohol, which did the trick, but took off a lot of the 'shine' from the area. I put some wax I had at the house on there, but I don't think it worked that well.
If you look close, you can still see the AVEO outline. I guess if I actually do get new emblems, it would cover it up anyway.
Either way I'm glad I took it off, never liked 'em.

[Ravenne]

I decided to tackle the Chevy emblem. It did not want to come off. Left behind a lot of glue residue. I peeled off what I could and then I remembered a trick we would use when I worked in retail.

In order to get price tags off items, you smear some peanut butter over the ticket. Peanut butter is pretty oily and gets down and loosens the adhesive. I figured why not, can't hurt.
I smeared some peanut butter over the glue, let it sit a bit and wiped it off. I was able to use my nails to scrape off what was left of the glue. Took a while, but no damage to the finish on the car like I did with the alcohol
Whether it was a coincidence or not, it seemed to work for me, I'd say give it a try before using something more caustic.

Here's a pic of the little holes. The entire space where the emblem was is only about 2-1/4" high. The holes are about 3/4" apart, 3/4" from the top of the space.




Not fer nuthin' if that emblem had been in blue (I saw one at the dealership) I may have left well enough alone.
But this was more fun. And destructive

[NYChevoo]

and shes off again...tearing her aveo apart!! great job Ravenne!!