How to debadge?

Hey ya'll! I'm thinking of debadging my black taco and wanting to paint them matte black

I've seen multiple people mention that they have debadged but was curious if there were any tricks that could help me out before I go tearing into it full steam ahead!?

 

It will help if you left the truck out in the sun all day to get warm. Loosens the adhesive up a bit.

Oh, just saw you were in Oregon... never mind.

 

A heat gun.

 

Just did mine this weekend with a heat gun, fishing string, and a little acetone. Use medium heat, then work the fishing string back and forth. I had to use a little bit of acetone for the buggers that were left over dont go crazy though. Once everything is removed i used some 3M polishing compound then waxed over the areas. They have been on since 05 and you cant even tell (Garage kept so barely in the UV rays so paint is not too faded).

 

All acetone does is remove the wax and oils, it is much safer than gasoline and alot faster than goo gone. Used this many of times on many of finishes, just dont use on plastic.

 

Haha! Yeah not a lot of sun, but been working in Medford so its about 90 out!

Is that 3M tape any good? I hear it is but my only concern would be its thickness and causing the emblem to stick out to where you can see the tape?

 

Anyone use scotch brite or something to assist in adhesion of the paint?

 

BTW after a few moments of research I came accross this good write up... (in case anyone was looking for one)

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/detailing/14432-de-badging-painting-badges-re-badging.html

 

Yes just as long as the vehicle has not had alot of sun fade (which causes the breaking down of clear coat) and so you do wax all areas that it has contacted (since the wax will now be gone). Never had any issues.

 

If you mean for the badges you will want as much of the chrome finish off as possible or you will run into the chance of the paint not adhering.

 

Used the old lady's hair dryer. Takes a bit longer than the heat gun, but works. When the fishing line breaks, time to heat it up again. **BE CAREFUL** Only use this method when (insert her title here, wif, GF, ho...) is otherwise incapacitated or personal physical harm can result. Good Luck!!

 

Yes this is correct if you are going to use a heat gun keep on medium heat and dont hold it in one spot for too long. Doing so you could bubble the paint then it is SOL. Becareful in using the old ladies hair dryer as well I burnt up my wifes a couple of years ago and never hear the end of it.

 

Just debadged my '12 magnetic grey truck. Took off V6 & Prerunner. Total breeze. I left the truck out in the sun for two hours before I started. I did not use any heat gun or blow dryer. I found this makes the glue too tacky. You want he glue kind of firm. I first ran fishing line through the badge. Used the same line , 30 test, for all the badges, none broke. Just go slow and saw motion. Once the badge is off , lift one corner of the glue and pull it away at a 45 degree angle slowly. The glue will completely release itself. Don't go more than 45 degrees or it will tear the glue strip. Then I used Orange Glow and in literally 4 swipes,, all residue was COMPLETELY gone. Washed with water and then used Mag's Quick Detailer. No shadow, no residue,, factory look. Anyway,, that was my experience. The key for me was not to heat the badge but just warm it with the sun. That should keep the glue firm enough to work with. The last thing you need is that glue smearing all over the place bc it was overheated.

 

What glue did you use to re install the badges?

 

X2

I like to use dental floss instead of fishing line.

 

A hair dryer and 20lb fishing line worked great. Once there off use your thumb and the hair dryer to remove excess adhesives then clean with windex or w/e