Side Lettering removal and re-application

[Bulletslinger]

I've looked around and haven't found much of a concrete method

I've read people take the lettering off with floss

but what does it go back on with??? I want it to be as factory applied as possible.

I bed-lined my grill yesterday and it's time to continue that theme with the lettering

 

[swshawaii]

Most factory emblems I've seen were applied with thin adhesive foam tape. To remove, floss or mono fishing line works well, but be sure to use heavy gloves to prevent cuts to your hands. Hair dryer also helps to soften the adhesive. Heat gun at low setting is too hot and will damage the clear coat and paint. Real task is removing remnants of the foam tape adhesive. Many use Goo Gone or WD-40 with success, but I found using CAREFULLY applied acetone or lacquer thinner is MUCH faster using a stiff PLASTIC putty knife or similar. To reapply I used a very thin coat of clear RTV silicone adhesive on the emblem only. Tape wasn't needed to hold in place. When cured RTV silicone is an extremely strong bond, but removing left over dried RTV silicone from the paint will be a real PITA. These are front and rear emblems with the blue and clear removed.

 

[Bulletslinger]

Most factory emblems I've seen were applied with thin adhesive foam tape. To remove, floss or mono fishing line works well, but be sure to use heavy gloves to prevent cuts to your hands. Hair dryer also helps to soften the adhesive. Heat gun at lowest setting is too hot. Real task is removing remnants of the foam tape adhesive. Many use Goo Gone or WD-40 with success, but I found using CAREFULLY applied acetone or lacquer thinner is MUCH faster using a stiff PLASTIC putty knife or similar. To reapply I used a very thin coat of clear RTV silicone adhesive. Very strong, but removing again will be a PITA. These are front and rear emblems with the blue and clear removed.

Thanks for the reply! As far as re-application goes...same with the "explorer" on the doors and lift gate?

 

[swshawaii]

^ Same method, but realignment and spacing may be tricky being individual letters. Maybe trace or rub in pencil on paper?

I'ts a habit for me to take pics BEFORE starting ANY work I'm doing. That's not only for my truck, but also the house.

 

[Bulletslinger]

^ Same method, but realignment and spacing may be tricky being individual letters. Maybe trace or rub in pencil on paper?

I'ts a habit for me to take pics BEFORE starting ANY work I'm doing. That's not only for my truck, but also the house.

definitely a good habit to have (for better or worse)

 

[extra-medium]

why not use plasti-dip?

 

[Bulletslinger]

why not use plasti-dip?

I feel like it's so...plain

If you're gonna Plasti-dip, why not bed-line? It looks better

I feel like it's more durable too. I've seen black plasti-dip fade/chip pretty quick

And since I already bed-lined my grille, I'd like it to be consistent. I'm going to do the Eddie Bauer gold trim in the same bedliner also

 

[extra-medium]

I plasti-dipped my emblems on my tailgate 2 years ago and it still looks good. It's all about how you put it on. The key is to do a couple very light coats in a couple directions and let it dry. Go back and do a couple more coats in different directions. Repeat until it's all covered, and then use a steady hand/exacto knife to cut the excess off.

I have started to slowly take it off because I have changed my mind about it, but that's the thing I like about plasti-dip is is lets me have the flexibility.

 

[Bulletslinger]

I plasti-dipped my emblems on my tailgate 2 years ago and it still looks good. It's all about how you put it on. The key is to do a couple very light coats in a couple directions and let it dry. Go back and do a couple more coats in different directions. Repeat until it's all covered, and then use a steady hand/exacto knife to cut the excess off.

I have started to slowly take it off because I have changed my mind about it, but that's the thing I like about plasti-dip is is lets me have the flexibility.

That looks great! And touche about the flexibility, that's definitely a plus.

I would probably have to remove my lettering for the bed-liner. I don't think it would come off as easy.

 

[karlos2]

Do not use gel or liquid adhesive to re-attach them. Use 3M Die-Cuttable Tape instead.

 

[Bulletslinger]

Do not use gel or liquid adhesive to re-attach them. Use 3M Die-Cuttable Tape instead.

Thanks Karlos! I appreciate it.