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If you want your vehicle to have a slick, customized look that is both classy and clean, there are a lot of different things you can do. Custom paint, tinted windows, and new wheels are all great options but can be incredibly expensive. Debadging a car, though, is inexpensive and might be more effective than you think. The badges on your vehicle can get in the way of the aesthetic you are going for, and removing them can clean up the car’s exterior and let it shine. Knowing how to remove the badges will help you preserve your paint and get that sleek look you want.
Removing Badges Safely
Your top priority when learning how to debadge a truck or car is to do it safely. Most of the time, badges are held on with relatively strong adhesive. Because of that, improperly removing the badges can damage the paint underneath, and you might end up with chips or scratches that will detract from the look even more than the badges or emblems did. Doing everything you can to preserve the paint will help you get the clean finish you want.
If you want to debadge a car safely, it is important to work slowly. Never try to force the badge off the car. Applying force to the adhesive will only cause it to take the paint with it as it peels away, and you could end up with patches of bare metal. Take your time, and don’t worry if there is a little bit of adhesive left behind after you take the badge off. This can easily be removed with an adhesive remover after the fact.
Heat and Peel Method
The heat and peel method is one of the most common ways to remove the badges on a vehicle. Because badges are generally held on with an industrial adhesive, heating them up can loosen it and make it tacky. Then, all you have to do is slowly peel the badge off and remove the remaining adhesive. This is also one of the most delicate ways of debadging a car, so working slowly and protecting the paint job is important.
To get started, use a heat gun or hair dryer in a hot setting to gently heat the badge. You mustn’t leave the heat concentrated in one area for too long. Doing so can damage the paint or cause bubbling in the clear coat. Instead, move the heat gun or hair dryer slowly over the badge, keeping a safe distance. You want the badge to get warm but not so hot that it melts through the paint.
As you heat the badge, periodically pull at it gently to see if it is loosening. It may take several minutes for the heat to reach the adhesive, so be patient with the process. If this doesn’t work, you can move on to some of the other methods laid out below.
Apply Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a great way to disintegrate the adhesive behind the badge instead of heating it up. It can break down the adhesive, which will loosen the badge and allow you to pull it off without damaging the paint. Dip a rag in rubbing alcohol, ensuring it has fully soaked through. Then, rub the badge with the alcohol, taking care not to rub too hard. If you use too much pressure in this step, you could damage the clear coat. As the rubbing alcohol makes its way behind the badge through the top of it, it will start to disintegrate, which should allow the badge to come off ultimately.
Using Dental Floss or Fishing Line
Many people have had good luck using fishing line or dental floss to debadge a truck or car. This method works well because the line is small enough to fit behind the minuscule space between the badge and the vehicle’s surface. To use this method, take the dental floss or fishing line and run it over the top and behind the badge. Then, in a sawing motion, start to move the line down the back of the badge. This will break up the adhesive, and you should be able to remove the badge safely.
This method can work without any other method but it works best if you combine it with one of the other two described above. The more you can loosen the adhesive and make it tacky instead of hard, the more effective the dental floss or fishing line can be. This will also reduce the possibility of pulling paint away along with the adhesive.
Tips for Using Adhesive Remover
If the adhesive remains on the vehicle's surface after the badge has been removed, an adhesive remover can help you remove it. Adhesive remover can be quite corrosive, so it is important to know how to work with it properly and protect your vehicle’s finish.
Test on a Small Area
Before you apply the adhesive remover to your vehicle, test it on a small, out-of-the-way area of the finish. This will tell you whether or not the remover will damage your paint. Different adhesive removers have different properties, so it is important to know how they will react to your car’s finish.
Use a Plastic Scraper
When removing the adhesive, use a plastic scraper instead of a metal one. The softer the plastic is, the better. If you can avoid sharp objects on your paint, you will be much better off and your paint will be protected as much as possible.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Many adhesive removers will evaporate quickly in the heat. Because of this, work away from direct sunlight when removing badge adhesive. This will ensure that you make the best use of the adhesive remover and help you avoid overapplying it.
If you want the best materials and supplies for debadging a car or truck, JEGS is your source. Our wide selection of plastic scrapers, adhesive removers, and polishes will help you get your vehicle to look sleek and beautiful in no time.
