Emblem Removal from an older vehicle in Beaumont, Texas.
First off, we ask ourself why do we need to remove emblems on our vehicles? We have our own reasons for doing it, some take their emblems off because they like a cleaner and simpler look. Others have the dealership stickers on it and worst, even emblems. Here is an example of how to take the emblem off from an older car / truck.
Older vehicles can get really tricky specially when it comes from taking off emblems. It is because of the number of years that the adhesive has been on that vehicle. Collecting dirt and even discoloring of the panel after the emblem is removed. Fortunately that did happen with this Nissan Frontier 2006. The paint was still very fresh and with the right chemicals, pad and machine. I easily blend in the panel. Using proper techniques and with lots of patients of course.
The tools that I mainly used to remove the emblems was first, a heat gun. Carefully using it to not melt but to soften the adhesive that the factory used was the trick. You do not need a lot of heat to take it off. All you need is to soften it and used dental floss. Yup, you heard me right. Dental Floss was used after I soften the adhesive. I used it to peal off the emblem, this allow me to do it very safely without damaging the paint. We all know how dental floss can easily break if you apply to much effort on it. The third tool that I used was a plastic razor blade and some 3M adhesive cleaner. The Plastic razor is sharp enough to clean the residue but not sharp enough to slice thru the paint. I apply some 3m adhesive cleaner before “shaving” off the remaining adhesive. This combination works wonders but remember you do not need a lot of pressure but what you need is patients. Let the 3m Adhesive cleaner works its way and let its soak. Most car manufacturers uses 3m for their adhesives so it just make sense to use their product to take the adhesive off too. A microfiber towel was used as well to help you rub and soak the chemical on to the adhesive. It was strong enough to soften tit but not the paint.
After a lot of patients and work you might see some shadowing or discoloring from the years that the emblem was installed from the panel. That is where you auto detailer paint correction skills kicked in. I used some Sonax products to even out the surface and polish the panel. With the help of my Flex 3401 and some Lake Country pad it was a piece of cake.
You can see the shine and reflection form the bottom picture. Remember having the right tools and patience is the key for safely removing an emblem from a 9 year old Car and/or Truck.
Hope Y’all enjoy this. Thank you and Until next time.
Jerimiah
Beaumont, Texas Certified Auto Detailer.
Glanz Auto Salon Mobile Auto Detailing & Car Wash
