Help With Removing Tailgate Inlay Letters

I want to replace the inlay letters on my tailgate. Thye were on the gate when I bought the truck but I don't like the color ( red ). Any suggestions on how to get them off? I would like to replace with another color.

 

Can you get fishing line behind them and gently saw back and forth?

 

Fishing line and heat gun set on low and not to close as to damage paint. As far as the residue I just used goo gone and adhesive remover the trick is to apply it and let it soak definitely use a microfiber as to remove and elbow grease but 3m also sells a eraser type wheel that attaches to a drill you can use but I haven’t had to use it yet

 

Lift a corner with your finger nail and squirt behind the letters

 

I just removed my 4x4 TDR SPORT stickers on the bed sides, used a hair dryer on high heat and they peeled off nice!
Thinking that should work on those!

 

From the reply's I'm guessing the adheasive remover wont damage the paint?

 

no The only thing I noticed wasYou could cause some swirling Marks when you’re rubbing the adhesive off but if you use a clean part of the microfiber towel every time you go to the rub some off you should be all right especially if it’s a tailgate letters and you’re going to put new ones up anyways I had that issue when I removed the bedside decals but after a buff and wax job it went away

 

I used a bug and tar remover, worked fine

 

hair dryer and a plastic scraper!

 

Fishing line like others have said, a hair dryer if you don't have a heat gun, 3M Spray Adhesive Remover, Macguires cleaner wax.

 

30+ year Self employed Auto Detailer...maybe I can help

You will need these three things:
Heat gun
Fishing line or strong dental floss
Adhesive remover

Step 1: Heat the inlay letter until you can easily slide the fishing line under the edge or corner. Take your time with the heat slower is always better..and don't worry about the heat damaging the paint..the inlay will melt into a dripping goo of plastic before you have any paint damage

Step 2: Work the line back and forth and work it through to the opposite side until you're able to pull the inlay off. If it doesn't slide through smoothly and easily heat the letter up more until it does

Step 3: Adhesive removal. Peel off what you can with your fingers. This can be a bit tedious depending on the type of adhesive but the more you can remove the easier and faster it will be to remove the rest with a liquid adhesive remover. I personally use Xylene but if your not familiar with this chemical go ahead and use 3m or even Goo Gone works really well. I would skip using a microfiber cloth but rather use a clean cotton towel or T shirt. Microfiber is synthetic and can put fine scratches in the paint if you rub too hard leaving the area dull looking. Hence the need to buff and polish after removal of said adhesive.

Step 4: after all adhesive is removed wipe clean and throw on your wax or sealant of choice. You are now officially done.

Good luck OP and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

I'm glad I am not the only one that is not a fan of these microfiber towels. Whatever happened to the good old chamois made of animal skin for drying vehicles?

 

Thank you very much

 

A big thanks to everyone who replied.

 

Very nice of you to come back and thank us, you're welcome. A lot of times you never hear back at all from an OP.

Classy move

 

If you're really crazy like me, you put on the black, don't like them, take em off , paint em, put em back on.