removing emblems

[mmpc]

Ford used to sell their very own road tar remover made specifically for clearcoats. You might check with your local dealer's parts shop...

 

[tbomb]

chris, thats a good idea, too.

i already have regular bug and tar remover, i guess the big question is: what exactly is the glue like that holds the emblem on? is it really tough to get off, or is it easy?...will bug and tar remover work, or will i need something stronger, etc.

 

[Stephen]

I would try your bug and tar remover first, then some WD40 then move up to some acetone.

Honestly, acetone wont hurt your paint at all. I've used it for years to remove dealer emblems. I even used it to remove the dealer emblem off of my black Cadillac in 95 when it was brand new, no damage. Just wax real good afterwards.

 

[jonesy]

How about wax?

There is a product called Goo Gone, which works wonders, it is specifically made to remove adhesive, HOWEVER, I don't have the bottle in front of me, so I don't know specifically if it is safe for painted surfaces.

OK, I came back to edit this. According to the following, http://www.magicamerican.com/googone.shtml it is safe for paint. Like I said, an amazingly effective product IMO.

That being said, I would just wax it off. It takes a few applications, but I have never had anything on the paint that a slightly abrasive (yet safe for clearcoats) wax wouldn't take off.

Just thought I would throw that into the mix.

FWIW, the stickers/emblems vary in composition, some are easy to get off, some are a bear, at least in my experience.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

 

[BoatsRcool]

I have used "Goof off" or "goo Gone" on my paint with no trouble before.

 

[tbomb]

wow, thanks guys. from what ive got so far, i think im gonna try bug and tar remover, then if that doesnt work, mineral spirits, and if that doesnt work, maybe ill try some acetone.

for guys who use acetone, like stephen, how should i apply it?...and if you can, try to give me plenty of details.

thanks guys.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by tbomb
for guys who use acetone, like stephen, how should i apply it?...and if you can, try to give me plenty of details.

I use acetone as follows:" simply soak a cotton wash cloth with the solvent and then rub in on the "mess". Rub till the residue of the adhesive is gone. Then I apply Zaino polish products in the recommended order.

Can't tell you ever had an emblem there.

Good luck....

 

[tbomb]

cool, thanks al. that sounds like a plan to me. ill get the emblem off, clean off the 'goop' then ill probably just run a clay bar over the area (just for the hell of it), and then ill probably put two coats of wax over the area. im gonna be claying and waxing my entire truck this weekend, so ill try to get the emblems off before i start.

when im all done, ill post before and after pics, and ill describe in full detail exactly what i did.

thanks everyone for your help.

 

[tbomb]

guys, one more thing, where can i get some acetone? (i wanna have it on hand in case i need it.)

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by tbomb
guys, one more thing, where can i get some acetone? (i wanna have it on hand in case i need it.)

Home depot or any paint or hardware store.

 

[tbomb]

well, i just ran to walmart and i got fishing line for $1.50, mineral spirits for $1.00, and my sister had some pure acetone - she uses that instead of nail polish remover. i plan on trying this out on friday. ill keep everyone updated.

 

[tbomb]

well, the emblems are off. it looks awesome. took about 45 minutes total. i used fishing line to get them off after i heated them up with a hair dryer, then i used mineral spirits to clean away the goo. i started with bug and tar remover, and it was working, but it was going so slowly. mineral spirits worked amazing. i didnt put new wax on yet, cuz tomorrow im claying and waxing the whole truck. ill have pics up later this weekend, and thanks to everyone who replied here.

 

[jimbo74]

cool tbomb

 

[Stephen]

Good deal, looking forward to pictures.

 

[beaston1]

he buddy, why did you take the emblem off in the first place. Whats the point????

 

[aldive]

Some, including me, find the smooth, sleek of a badgless truck more appealing. To each his/her own.

Also, it makes for a much easier job of polishing your truck ( with Zaino, of course ).

 

[espnfreak]

what an interesting thread. look forward to some pics tbaum. anyways on a somewhat related note...are there holes in the back of the emblems on the 96 xlt

Also, what would be the easiest way to buff out small thin white scratches on my hood. i have a few thousand of them that i need to get rid of. they dont go deep and look like they are only surface scratches

p.s. look forward to posting pictures from the lake michigan dunes trip i just got back from. it was a blast!

 

[Stephen]

Yes I do believe that there are holes behind the emblem on a 96.

As for your scratches first try some Meguiars No. 9 Swirl Remover, see if that does the trick.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by jas84
Also, what would be the easiest way to buff out small thin white scratches on my hood. i have a few thousand of them that i need to get rid of. they dont go deep and look like they are only surface scratches

I would resort to the magic of Zaino.

Give their Z5 a try

>>Z5 POLISH FOR SWIRL MARKS & FINE SCRATCHES

FACT. The only way to remove, heavy swirl marks and fine scratches from a clear coated surface is to have the car professionally machine buffed with an abrasive compound. This should be the last resort, as factory clear coat is very thin and you can break thru it very easily. Also, most polishes and waxes contain abrasives, they remove some swirl marks but create new swirls. Kinda of catch-22. Z-5 is the first non-abrasive polish that will eliminate swirl marks, fine scratches and spidering, without hurting the integrity of the clear coat. It does this in stages, anywhere between 1 to 3 applications. This in itself is a major technological breakthrough. With each application of Z-5 polish, you will see the swirl marks and fine scratches gradually lessen, until the marks are no longer visible. Although this procedure may seem time consuming, the results are well worth it. This is the only way a swirl mark problem should be addressed and corrected.

Z-5 is the safest, most cost effective way of repairing the paint, so to speak. After you are satisfied with the way the paint looks. Switch to Z-2 Show Car Polish to achieve an even higher wet-looking, optically perfect paint finish. Follow up with Z-6 "Gloss Enhancer" spray. Z-6 "Gloss Enhancer" spray should be used between every coat of Z-5 or Z-2. It is an extremely high, optical enhancing product and dramatically increases light refraction and reflection. The results will knock your socks off! All Show Car Polish products are molecular crosslinking and are 100% compatible with each other.

NOTE: For any future swirls or scratches you may get, just reapply Z-5 to the affected area or the whole car if you prefer. Z-5 can be used right over Z-2. They are completely compatible and interchangeable. For the highest optical paint enhancement always follow up Z-5 with a coat of Z-2. One eight ounce bottle of Z-5 Polish will yield approximately eight to ten coats on a mid-size car.<<

Zaino is good stuff....

 

[4Wheelin]

Was the paint under the emblem darker than the rest of the car? and if so how did you match it up?