How to de-badge - re-badge your car

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:
[attachment=9:3t1ffa0k]DSCN1527.JPG[/attachment:3t1ffa0k][attachment=8:3t1ffa0k]DSCN1526.JPG[/attachment:3t1ffa0k]

Using Dental floss, I cut the glue on the back of the original emblems, to remove them.
[attachment=7:3t1ffa0k]DSCN1528.JPG[/attachment:3t1ffa0k][attachment=6:3t1ffa0k]DSCN1529.JPG[/attachment:3t1ffa0k]

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.
[attachment=5:3t1ffa0k]DSCN1530.JPG[/attachment:3t1ffa0k]

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.
[attachment=4:3t1ffa0k]DSCN1531.JPG[/attachment:3t1ffa0k][attachment=3:3t1ffa0k]DSCN1532.JPG[/attachment:3t1ffa0k]

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.
[attachment=2:3t1ffa0k]DSCN1533.JPG[/attachment:3t1ffa0k]

And there you go, new emblems on, old emblems gone.
[attachment=1:3t1ffa0k]DSCN1534.JPG[/attachment:3t1ffa0k][attachment=0:3t1ffa0k]DSCN1535.JPG[/attachment:3t1ffa0k]

Tune in next week, we will be showing you how to properly perform the hokey pokey. Till next time, LATER DUDE!

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

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

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 :)

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.

I did this today...

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i5...e/HPIM0415.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i5...e/HPIM0417.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i5...e/HPIM0418.jpg

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 :shock: So many possibilities, I'm confused.

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.

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.

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 :x
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.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i5...e/HPIM0592.jpg


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 :twisted:

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

i love women that mod cars.

i know mike, its so cool!!

Thanks :mrgreen:

is there a way to DIY patch up the 2 holes left on the tailgate?

Bondo maybe? Not sure.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ravenne

Bondo maybe? Not sure.

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bondo, sand, paint. could just take to a body shop, they can do it for not too much $$$

OK PLEASE LISTEN BUY A SMALL ITEM OF BONDO AT AN AUTOPARTS STORE. BUY FINE SAND PAPER. BUY PRIMER. MATCHING PAINT SPRAY CAN. WET SAND THAT REAR TWO HOLES. LET IT DRY. WASH IT. LET IT DRY. NEXT TAKE BONDO AND HARDENER. MIX TOGETHER. APPLY OVER TWO HOLES. LET DRY. SAND IT TILL ITS SMOOTH. WET SAND. LET DRY. PRIME IT. SPRAY IT AND DONE.

Did this to mine takes about a half hour of actual work. and under 20 dollars

later any questions ask me. or msg me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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 :x
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.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i5...e/HPIM0592.jpg


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 :twisted:

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How did you take off the chevy emblem ?? ...is it the same process as the other emblem ?

yes, it just taped / glued on.

Ok guys i went ahead and took off the LS on the rear for now, i took the residue glue off with my nail but i still could see the LS mark.
since it was raining i figured let me do now while it is wet and for the LS mark i put some mayo mixed with cooking oil on top of it and will let it sit there till tomorow, hopfully the oils will soften the mark off...will post a update tomorow

oil and mayo? the egg in the mayo might strip your paint.

When I did mine I used a citrus based cleaner called goof off. It's available at menards. I originally bought it to get old latex paint out of a hot tub in a house. A cat jumped up and spilled the tray apparently.

Any way, the stuff is reasonably priced, is not really hard on finishes and paints, and worked well for me.

Whatever method you use, make sure you remove or tape off your taillights, I had just a little leak over mine and could see the trail. I wasn't worried about it as I will get the blacked out LED's in the future. Or something.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by petrified.rabbit

oil and mayo? the egg in the mayo might strip your paint.

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I dont want to harm the paint, thats why i used something natural like mayo BUT it did not work i still could see the LS mark?

******Update******Ok i took some alcohol and one of those non-scratch TV screen cleaner cloths (the blue ones) and it stared coming off :D Time to work on the Aveo emblem now...

aveo emblem is the worst one.

***Update*** I did it

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...3011130328.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...3011130250.png

Looks good. I took my bow tie off also, and now I have those two holes in that trim piece, But that will be fixed some day.

I eventually want to do that also cause my bowtie is fading so i would like to install a new bowtie...maybe silver or chrome

paint fading at all? I de-badged my Aveo, can still see where hte paint did not fade, yellow fades really bad down here :(

fades bad up here too.

what is it like when i put a emblem off a cavalier z24 red emblem at the back ?
i.