Recommendations for touching up blackout lettering

I have a 2018 Tacoma with factory blackout lettering on the tailgate. The paint is flaking off in a few spots, so short of trying to remove the lettering and replace them all, is there a recommended touch up paint out there? I haven't been able to find anything...or just not looking in the right place. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

Would this not be covered under the factory warranty?

Are the letters paint or vinyl?

 

Good afternoon, I doubt if it would be covered since I purchased it used. The dealer did tell me they were factory letters, but I guess he could be wrong. They appear to be aluminum/metal painted black.

 

I just had to take mine off. They got so bad, I tried black touch up paint but it was getting on the tailgate.

I even bought the expensvie super heavy letters.

 

I would remove the letters and then replace with vinyl if you want to keep a similar look.

 

Thanks guys, now the million dollar question, at least for me...how do you remove them without damaging the paint?

 

Not easy.. I made a few small chips taking mine off very carefully with a paint scraper.

I like the look, so I'm thinking about paying someone to paint the letters in there professionally. No way I am doing this every 11 months.. as that's how long mine lasted.

 

Paint them with Plastidip? I did the badges on my 08 Sport 4x4 DC many years ago and they still look good. Plastidip is super easy to use, and cleanup around the badges is a breeze. The only thing you need to consider is how it's all going to do with the pealing paint. Mine was done over chrome, not black paint.

 

To remove the letters, use fishing line. Wear gloves and run the fishing line (small but strong) behind the letters, and slide the line back and forth as you work the line down. Eventually they should come off without paint damage.

 

That is correct, but in this case the letters are semi-recessed, so I'm not so sure how easy the fishing line method will work.

 

Since they’re recessed, that will be harder. Maybe a corner can be started/lifted using a plastic narrow putty knife. In any case, I wish a successful outcome.

 

Heat the letters up with a hair dryer. This will soften the adhesive tape that holds them on. Next, use a flat, plastic pry tool to gently pry the letters off. Finally, use 3M Adhesive Remover to remove and remaining adhesive.

 

So, to revive an old thread...

Finally got the letters removed. The local Toyota body shop did it for $75 and it took about 45 minutes! Looks great, and worth every penny. (and I didn't have to worry about screwing up the paint job)

 

Appreciate this info. I noticed a little paint shipping off of mine. I'm going to try and touch them up first, save removing them for later if they get too paint chipped. I'm a little disappointed they started chipping so soon, chipping at all actually. I really like the look of them, so I hope they can be touched up easy enough.

 

I would use plastidip also. No need to remove the letters.

 

You may want to look up some videos on"Debadging" (spelling) a car. You can use a hair dryer and fishing line. Keep your hand near the letter so that if it gets too hot for your hand then it is too hot for your paint and you know when to stop. Then work the fishing line behind it. Be careful not to pull on one end of the letter because the other end of it may chip the paint. Best of luck with it.

 

did you read anything other than first post? OP had the stickers removed.