Major Debadging Concern >>

[BadGT471]

I'm sorry to make a new thread about this issue, but I was talking to a buddy today, and I was going to debadge the "RAM AIR V6" on the front fenders. He told me that if I pull them off, I will pull paint off w/ it too. I can see the foam behind it, so I know they aren't superglued. I bought the car brand new, and they were on there when I got it. My question is, I have a heat gun. How much would I have to heat these up? I don't want to burn my paint w/ the heat gun. If I use the heat gun, will I be able to just pull them right off like I would a vinyl decal, or would I still need the fishing line? If anyone could please help me out, that would be great!

Jeff

[kse73]

Using a heat gun will be no problem for the paint. You would have to sit there for awhile before the paint would be damaged from it. U really wont need to heat it for very long. Fishing line or floss is recommended. Just seems easier that way. As far as pulling the paint off, it wont happen. Unless youre me and pull off a badge that was unknowingly super glued to your car :).

[BadGT471]

I should just really heat up the badge till it gets warm, then take some floss and just like saw through it? will that harm the paint at all?? I will give it a shot tomorrow. if I'm going to use the floss though, would there be any use in heating up the badge??? Also, is it real hard to get the rest of the residue from the badge off after I debadge??? Thanks much!

Jeff

[kse73]

I wont lie, it IS a pain in the ass. I suggest Goo Gone, or any other type of adhesive remover. As for the paint, the floss and heat will not harm the paint. The heat gun will make it easier especially with the floss (as opposed to the fishing line).

[BadGT471]

I will go out and buy some fishing line tomorrow, since I'm sure it would cut through the foam crap much easier... Also, once you get the badges off, how much of the adhesive crap remains on the paint??? will goo gone get it soft enough where you can just pick it off? Also, wouldn't heating it up with a heat gun help to make it kinda soft so u could peel it off???

[kse73]

All of the foam will not come off. The goo gone helps so you can either pick it off, or rub it off with a cloth. So yea, it gets the crap pretty soft. And I just remembered that its the Ram Air badges, and not the side and rear badges, it shouldnt be a problem. I'd give the floss a try first saving you a trip if it works.

One more thing.. You may have a shadowy "Ram Air v6" on the paint. Its very hard to see. It was on my car (black) so Im not sure about other colors. I was told by one of the guru's that this comes off after a couple washings, so no worries. Good luck!

[BadGT471]

The Ram Air V6 badges on the fenders are the hardest to get off, the "GRAND AM GT" ones are easier? Also, once you get like halfway w/ the floss can you just yank the badge off? I will definately give it a shot. I too have a black 02 GAGT... Hopefully everything will work out!

Thanks,
Jeff

P.S. Do you think teh car looks MUCh better badgeless? I ordered some "GT" decals that I'm going to put on the end of the fender between that and the door like most people do... I got it from Ryan.

[Panacea]

Use a hairdryer and heat up the badges, then start peeling them off. The hair dryer warms the badges up and makes the foam softer.

I did not use floss, but if you do you will still have to heat up the badges!

Think of it like a stick of butter. When it's cold, it's SUPER hard to cut through, but when the butter is warm it cuts smoothly. Same with the badges, be SUPER hard when they're cold, but when they're warm it makes it much easier (though nowhere close to being as easy as cutting butter :)).

[BadGT471]

Sounds good man, I will get at it tomorrow with the heat gun. Did you just heat them and pull them off, no fishing line, or floss? How long do you think I will need to heat them w/ the heat gun?

Thanks,
jeff

[PontiacGT2K]

Damn dude....just go outside and start heating it up. I've taken a few badges off (not my GA) same foam stuff though, 2 minutes of heat was fine for me...you'll notice the stuff just getting soft and maleable, and it'll come off. Just be slow, don't go ripping it off. I doubt paint will come off either way. Just start heating and you'll know when it's coming off.

[Jagey]

I have a feeling my badge is superglued to the trunk. I took my trunk lid to get it repainted, and my badges had red overlays on them. When i picked up my car, the trunk was repainted and the badges were still the same ones with the overlays. Isn't it true if you remove them, the adhesive doesn't work anymore? In that case they must have superglued it back.

[kse73]

Yea Jagey.....its probably superglued. Thats what happened to mine......I didnt know that though. Paint came off but I was able to persuade the body shop that it wasn't my fault. So the cars in the shop as we speak.