1st generation badging

Hey folks, I have a 2004 Tacoma, double cab, 4X4. I have been reading some threads and searching for emblems for my tailgate. I understand they are hard to find and expensive. Has anyone been successful refinishing the old emblems? Mine have simply pealed. Thoughts?

 

Almost impossible to save them. They’re just raised stickers unlike the door badges.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
I masked, scuffed and painted some black.
Looked worse.

 

I was afraid y’all would say that . Appreciate the input

 

I was successful refinishing the old emblems.

To get the emblems off, I set the truck in the sun on an 80 degree day for about 10 minutes. They came off easily just prying with gasket scraper with no scratches on the paint.



The dirt and glue residue came off the door with a wet sponge and some elbow grease. I can vaguely see a shadow outline where the emblem was originally, which shows me where to re-attach the badge. I used 3M Plastic Emblem and Trim Adhesive found at any auto parts store to re-attach.

I use concentrated bleach (8.25% Sodium Hypoclorite) to eat away the chrome from the plastic emblems. Dip the emblem in a plastic container for about 8 hours or until it stops bubbling.


There will be a black residue and some green.


Clean off the black residue. I used a tooth brush.

This process will need to be repeated. If some small gold flecks remain, use some fine sandpaper to remove them.

Another option to remove the chrome from the plastic emblems is to use oven cleaner.

I used Automotive Touchup products. I like their step by step instructions.

I applied plastic adhesion promoter, primer, bumper black and gloss clear coat.

They came out great and have held up well (2 years so far).

 

So we’re you able to remove the original tailgate stickers and reattach or did you buy new tailgate stickers? If you bought new tailgate stickers, from where and much?

 

I removed the original tailgate stickers and reattached. I used 3M Plastic Emblem and Trim Adhesive found at any auto parts store to re-attach.

 

You saved the original emblems and they look great after you did "your thing". Good job Winkle , drive safe my friend.

 

I have to say that if all of you are worried about your emblems and your badges on your first generation Tacomas, you have too much time on your hands. There is nothing more irrelevant than those emblems. When mine fell off, I just cleaned up where they came off and never attempted to reinstall anything. LOL!

 

Thanks Winkle

 

Great writeup, it turned out great! I only wish I could figure out how to re-chrome the plastic with a professional-seeming finish. Aside from spray paint or going to a professional shop. The knowledge has got to be out there, right? Even though the time/effort/cost involved has got to be insane

 

I am sure your googlefu can find an acceptable "chrome spray paint for plastic". The time and effort didn't seem too bad to me. The bleach does all the work. I sprayed a layer of paint on the emblems in about a minute. I added another layer after the previous layer dried when I had time. Cutting the 3M Plastic Emblem and Trim Adhesive to fit took the longest amount of time.

 

Nice, I will investigate this option.