Prepping For Paint – Removing The Emblems On Your Car
Posted on: 15 November 2017
Reducing the amount of work that goes into getting your car prepped for a paint job will reduce the amount it costs you to get it done. One thing you can easily do on your own to save a little cash is to remove the auto emblems from the car. Here, you will learn how to do just that:
Mark the Placement
For the emblems that you plan to put back on your car after the paint has cured, you will need to mark the placement. Doing so will make it much easier for you to put them back on without them being crooked or positioned incorrectly.
You will need masking tape, paper and a sheet of wax paper.
- Find the nearest body line to the emblem – this could be the edge of the trunk lid or tail light – anything that will be there once the new paint is applied.
- Apply strips of the masking tape just below or above the emblem – apply as much tape as you need to follow the body line.
- Use the marker to mark where each letter or emblem is on the tape.
- Remove the tape and stick it to a sheet of wax paper so that you can reapply it to the area after the paint has cured.
Remove the Emblem
If you have a heat gun, it will be needed. If you don't have a heat gun, you can use a hairdryer. The goal is to heat up the adhesive on the back of the emblem. Don't overheat the area or you could cause the paint on the car to bubble.
Gently slide a putty knife under the emblem and very gradually pry it off of the car. If you rush this process, you could cause the paint to peel off with it as you remove it. Slow and steady is the best advice for this step.
Remove Old Adhesive
Removing the adhesive should be a pretty easy task. Use the heat gun to warm it up as best you can without overheating the emblem. Use an old flat-head screwdriver to peel it off. Then, apply some Goo-Gone cleaner to the area and allow it to soak for a few hours or overnight. When you return, the cleaner will have softened the adhesive enough to get it off. It may take a few applications to get all of the adhesive off, but eventually, it will be ready for application.
If you don't feel comfortable completing this prep-step on your own, talk with your auto painting professional to learn if there is anything else you can do to help do the prep-work on your car.
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