How To Safely Remove Car Badges and Emblems
Love the clean look of a debadged car? Follow these simple steps to debadge your car without leaving any sticky residue:
Note: removal of front center badges and rear center badges will generally expose 2 pin-sized holes used to hold the badges in place.
Removing The Badge/Emblem/Lettering
Heat the decal with a heat gun on low heat setting. If you don’t have a heat gun, then doing this job in direct sun will soften badge adhesives. Next, with a plastic razor, gently pry at the corners and sides of the badge. Work slowly and with light pressure.
Pro Tip – Locate 6 inches of dental floss. Work the floss in between the badge and the paint. Begin “flossing” the area between the badge and the paint. Take your time.
Next, remove the badge when the badge adhesive has been separated.
Badge Residue Removal
Next, the remaining glue residue must be removed. This part can be time-consuming without professional tools. For consumers, an adhesive/sticker removal product like Goo Gone or WD-40 will work on stubborn glue residue. Nail polish remover can be effective too. Applying heat or doing this removal in direct sunlight will be helpful in softening stubborn residue.
When it comes to removing decals, all the steps are the same as removing badges except for the need to “floss” with dental floss.
When using Goo Gone, WD-40 or nail polish remover, be sure to wash the paint surface after you’ve removed all dried glue residue.
Paint Correction
Polish the surface of your paint with a rubbing compound like Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound. Next, apply a polish like Meguair’s Ultimate Polish.
If a hand polish is insufficient, then a machine buff will be required.
Seal Your Paint
Finally, seal your paint with a wax, paint sealant, or ceramic coating.
Pay It Forward
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