On many cars, the model emblem is raised, either at the back or on the side of the car. Some people don't mind them, but we often find them a bit annoying when washing the car. The wash mitt gets caught on them, and it's difficult to properly clean the base of the emblem. Detailers also often want to remove the emblems for car polishing. Removing the model emblem makes the rear of the car look sleeker and simpler! However, if you want to put the emblems back on after polishing, remember to mark their exact location. How then to safely remove the model emblem? Read our 4-step instructions here.
1. Softening the adhesive with hot air
The first step is to start heating the model emblem with either a heat gun or a hairdryer, which also works great. This softens the adhesive, making emblem removal significantly easier. While heating, continuously monitor that the emblem does not get too hot. The goal is not to heat the surface but to make the emblem's adhesive flexible. A good rule is that you should still be able to touch the paintwork with your bare hand.
2. Removing the model emblem with fishing line
Next, take about half a meter of fishing line and start sliding it between the emblem and the paintwork. This step will cut the adhesive between the emblem and the paint. Do not use any hard tools to remove the emblems, so as not to damage the paintwork. Do this step one emblem at a time, and if the line gets stuck behind the emblems, reheat the area with a heat gun.
3. Removing soft adhesive residue with a caramel wheel
Most often, model emblems are attached to the paint with a slightly foamy adhesive residue, and as in this case, after removing the emblem, this adhesive residue remained on the paint. It can be easily removed with a caramel wheel, which is attached to a drill. Remember to keep the drill's RPM low so as not to damage the paint. If you don't have a caramel wheel, you can spray adhesive remover onto a microfiber cloth and hold it over the emblem for some time until the adhesive residue softens.
4. Removing the last bits of adhesive with adhesive remover
Once most of the adhesive residue has been removed with the caramel wheel, take Fure Tar and Glue Remover, spray it onto a microfiber cloth, and wipe off the last remnants of adhesive from the paintwork. Then, the emblem removal should be complete! If the car has faded or scratched paintwork, the outlines of the emblems may still be visible even after removing them, but these can be polished away.
Here are links directly to the products you will need:
Fure Tar and Glue Remover
Microfiber cloths
Heat gun
Caramel wheel
Fishing line
