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How to Debadge/ Rebadge

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by judd94, Mar 7, 2010.

  1. Mar 7, 2010 at 8:59 PM
    #1
    judd94

    judd94 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This How To includes debadging the chrome badges, TRD stickers, and optional rebadging using Sockmonkeys awesome emblems. All Hail Sockmonkey!:woot:
    OK so the first thing you want to do is get everything together. Depending on how far you go with this and what you want, dictates what you need.
    Also- you will want give your self at least a few hours. You don't want to rush this or get anxious about finishing. Patience is very important all the way up to the end.
    Another point- If you let your truck sit in the sun the adhesives can soften up and will make your life a little easier. Even in cool weather the sun helps.
    SUPPLIES
    -smaller sized flathead screwdriver or 20# fishing line or even dental floss
    -a cleaner for the left over adhesive. some people have used Goo Gone, I used 3M Gen Purpose Adhesive Remover
    -hair dryer or heat gun if you are removing TRD stickers
    -papertowels or rags
    -masking tape if you are rebadging in any way
    -small spray bottle with 1-2 drops of soap and filled with water. this is for the wet application method
    The first thing I did was put masking tape along the front edge and top edge of the old emblem. If you aren't reapplying any badges then skip this step. This is your guideline for rebadging. I noticed on TACOMA that the C and O are slightly taller and that the emblems arent' always applied completely straight. So you may have to readjust the tape to make it striaght.
    taco003_44480bce667433c2c27c5ac177566091c5b30103.jpg
    If you are throwing away the emblems then it doesn't matter which method you use to remove them. If you plan to reuse them like after blacking them out then stay with the fishing line method so they don't get damaged.
    Fishing Line Method- run the line or dental floss from one side to the other using a sawing like motion and cutting through the tape.
    Pull Off Method-Take a smaller flathead screwdriver to pull up on the emblem. I found that each individual letter had to removed individually.
    taco004_b1f90cd1314ecbee04935a7d2f0faf6a2e8a806d.jpg
    You will be left over with double-sided automotive adhesive. This can be "rolled" off with your fingers.
    taco005_f2aca8d44521a362a88590b4a5374574dafeeb2d.jpg
    Now just take your adhesive remover and wipe off the left-over adhesive
    taco011_c7193c2aec17a1ba40dd9c4dbb99c34b1904cc4d.jpg
    If this is all you want than enjoy!!!
    If you have some new emblem stickers to apply then clean the area with glass cleaner and make sure the paint is squeaky clean.
    There are 2 methods for adding emblems.
    Wet Method- this involves taking the spray solution and spraying the area then spraying the adhesive side of the emblem and applying it. Line up the emblem wherever you want. Then use a squeegy thingy and smotthen it out and remove all the air bubbles. It will stick and stay put after all the water is out from behind it.
    Dry Method- this is the way I did it. I lined up the front top corner with the tape and slowly worked my way to the other end with the squeegy thingy in hand smoothing it out as I applied it.
    remove the paper backing slowly and at a high angle. The angle will help keep the any letters from sticking to the backing.
    taco012_7c124425dbc22c124069427aa77d6dacaeb5f6df.jpg
    taco013_10fcc0ec49e1ae1e6465cbcefd3c2acce47b4c81.jpg
    taco014_8b169867ccf652553a01f467ffb79e8f641ca276.jpg
    Remove the surrounding tape and remove any left over residue surrounding the emblem and BAM your done.
    taco017_dd1eb434e76ff2b9a7e5dc7b8f752f1af30e0622.jpg
    **If you are blacking out you remblems and reapplying then use heavy duty automotive double-sided tape and reapply the emblems.
    TRD Stickers
    In order to removed these stickers you will need a heat gun or blow dryer. Or if your lucky and its hot as balls and sunny outside you can let the stickers soften up in the sun a few hours and you won't need a hairdryer or heat gun.
    If you need to apply heat, a heat gun only needs to be used for maybe 10 sec. You can burn the paint. Not a good thing to do. I used a blow dryer on low, its a little longer but safer and more control of heat.
    If you are reapplying new stickers then make sure to use guide tape.
    Warm up the corner you are starting in and just peel it up with your finger nail. Someone was brave enough to use a razorblade layed flat against the paint without any problems. Not me.
    Keep the sticker warm where you are peeling and keep pulling. The warmer the sticker the better. I also noticed if you got to slow the more adhesive left behind. The faster you go and it will probably tear.
    taco020_30e39828a1999fe9fadc26e8d8ba9cbec3e62772.jpg
    taco021_e18abe030d191385a594910dbb61427d4e17f1b0.jpg
    Wipe away the adhesive BAM its done. If your putting on new stickers then clean it with glass cleaner for a squeaky clean.
    taco023_d3a18313de538a85f34fa7c2d2244d1937f5b81a.jpg
    If you apply new stickers than I would not recommend the hinge method. This did not work well only because you have to tear the paper backing in the middle. The small paper flakes where the paper is torn made a line of paper stuff that couldn't be removed and ruined the entire sticker. :ugh3: Here are pics of what not to do. You can barely see the white line through the middle of the sticker.
    taco024_8a6ec7c9ec51c289110ecfbbdc87ed20f0056e30.jpg
    taco025_7ddfeafb8dd72e13e5ac54d510baa35fe323e3fb.jpg
    taco026_eae53f4bd36f9664fdc95c3506e1ea4082c39528.jpg
    taco027_8e3377247db95772a545e346857f1f74c8bcb92f.jpg
    I removed the sticker after the pics because I was about to lose sunlight. I ended up applying the 2nd TRD sticker using the same method as the other emblems. Starting in one corner and working my way to the other end. Worked well for me.
    Here are my final pics
    BEFORE
    [​IMG]
    AFTER
    taco029_fdb044ea5705b9e8c6ad91d07c41f9ea1f09d960.jpg
    taco028_36a3091a8b4bcfbb41ea83f2e52693b3e41f7962.jpg
     
    Eric J likes this.
  2. Mar 7, 2010 at 9:02 PM
    #2
    toyotacoinwa

    toyotacoinwa the fresh prince

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    great thread!! i could have really used this a few months ago lol
     
  3. Mar 7, 2010 at 9:05 PM
    #3
    judd94

    judd94 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    thanks man
    someone please sticky it under the "How Tos" for others to reference
     
  4. Mar 7, 2010 at 9:30 PM
    #4
    7A7ER

    7A7ER FLYNN LIVES!

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    Excellent work. Very step by step and great pics. I had no idea the emblems were just taped on! I just assumed they were bolted or screwed.

    Nice write up bro, it should def be stickied!
    :thumbsup:
     
  5. Mar 8, 2010 at 4:38 PM
    #5
    sockmonkey

    sockmonkey Well-Known Member

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    excellent write up!!!

    i too, do not recommend the "hinge method".

    it works best to remove all of the backing paper at once and use water to prevent from sticking prematurely (premature stickulation....eww)
    it will allow you to reposition
     
  6. Mar 8, 2010 at 5:04 PM
    #6
    surfrat

    surfrat Well-Known Member

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    icon coilover, total chaos UCA, allpr expo, icon 2.0 rear,wet okole
    any reccomendations for painting the badges? i was thinking of using the truck bedliner spray on them..ALso what adhesive do you use to reapply the badges?
     
  7. Mar 8, 2010 at 5:05 PM
    #7
    blackwatertaco

    blackwatertaco If you ain't stuck, You ain't tryin hard enough.

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    Great looking man!!!
     
  8. Mar 8, 2010 at 5:10 PM
    #8
    Simon2150

    Simon2150 Well-Known Member

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    your stickers look good!
     
  9. Mar 8, 2010 at 5:17 PM
    #9
    Ccwahoo

    Ccwahoo "Get comfortable being uncomfortable" Goggins

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    Thanks for the write-up
     
  10. Mar 8, 2010 at 5:38 PM
    #10
    bmgreene

    bmgreene Well-Known Member

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    How'd you get a screwdriver under the factory badging without scratching the hell out of the paint?
     
  11. Mar 9, 2010 at 12:03 AM
    #11
    judd94

    judd94 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    i used a small flat head and just carefully got behind the number enough to get a bite on it. there is some room behind it.
    just take your time and don't get in a hurry. start early enough in the day that you aren't hurrying before sun goes down.
    i love have stickers instead of raised lettering.
    as far as adhesive most people use automotive double-sided tape from 3M i think.
     
  12. Jan 18, 2012 at 8:00 PM
    #12
    COMAtose HI

    COMAtose HI Well-Known Member

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  13. Jan 19, 2012 at 5:41 AM
    #13
    penguins_cc

    penguins_cc Well-Known Member

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    I've used 3M Emblem Adhesive with good results as well. Got mine off Amazon but I'm sure it's available lots of other places.
     
  14. Jan 19, 2012 at 5:43 AM
    #14
    Rusty 06 4x4

    Rusty 06 4x4 NBHNC

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    i love the black emblems on the sliver truck since that is what I want to do as well
     
  15. Mar 3, 2012 at 12:30 PM
    #15
    bpkrules

    bpkrules Well-Known Member

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  16. May 22, 2012 at 7:50 AM
    #16
    Grue00

    Grue00 Member

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    Thanks for the post. It is really helpful to see that someone did get the stickers with a hairdryer. It gives me the confidence to do it as well.
     
  17. May 22, 2012 at 10:03 AM
    #17
    Rez

    Rez Well-Known Member

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    awesome thanks, I was always wonder how to debadge the hard emblem
     
  18. May 22, 2012 at 10:55 AM
    #18
    tommyg29

    tommyg29 Well-Known Member

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    I find it a lot easier to just use a flexible plastic applicator (like used for bondo) instead of a screwdriver (dangerous!) and dental floss, and pry the badges off. I removed ALL of mine in 5-10 minutes without heat, and they come off easily in one piece so they can be reused if you ever want to. I painted mine black. 3M emblem adhesive is great stuff also for reapplication, after you clean up the factory adhesive backing.
    Took my TRD stickers off in about 5 minutes just peeling them with my fingernail. Heat isnt really needed, as long as the truck is fairly new.
     
  19. May 22, 2012 at 3:26 PM
    #19
    TacoLife08

    TacoLife08 Well-Known Member

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    Im about to use the dental floss method, not going to re badge immediately though. My TRD rear stickers came off with a fingernail and a slow peel back and my truck is 4 years old, it was maybe 80-85 degrees outside.
     
  20. Jul 24, 2012 at 4:11 PM
    #20
    TyTacoma

    TyTacoma Member

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    Took mine off today just took dental floss and was really easy.
     

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