What is the best way to Debadge emblems?

[tbone28]

I removed the emblem off the front hood yesterday, using a blow dryer and dental floss.

There was still some glue leftover, so I peeled it off using my fingernails. To my surprise, the plastic is quite soft, and left some indentations from my fingernails

Are there any tricks to debadging and leaving a clean finish? Do I just need to heat the emblems longer until the glue is completely gooey?

[JPaul]

When I asked the Dealership how to remove their decal they said "Goo Off"...

[headless]

No need to heat up the glue, just use a presicion screwdriver to start the process and just peel the badge off slowly, the badge is slightly proud of the bodywork as it is stuck on with a double sided sticky spongy stuff, so the screwdriver does'nt actually touch the bodywork, but if you are slightly worried put a cloth at the back of the screwdriver, it is quite easy to peel off and if any residue is left over on the bodywork use some WD40 on a cloth and it comes off, then use a good wax on the area and you would never think a badge was there.

[Westfield 11]

But, but, if you remove the badges, how will people know that you drive a smart?

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by Westfield 11

But, but, if you remove the badges, how will people know that you drive a smart?

Yep, without them it just blends in... ;)

I wasn't plannng to debadge the Smart, but when I did my BMW I used dental floss (waxed) and then Goo Gone and a microfiber towel to remove the remaining glue residue. I've also had good luck with good ol' WD40.

Whichever you use, wax the area afterwards as the solvents will remove the wax that was already there.

[burtandnancy]

When I "deflowered" my first smart, I too left fingernail marks. So I installed the Mercedes tri emblem over the mark. That was fun. When I fixed my white/silver/beige smart, I was more careful with the fingernails. Wifies blow dryer, dental floss and Goof Off. Gooder than new (sorry no nose shots)...

[tbone28]

I finished debadging the rest of the car - Brabus emblems from the side mirrors, SMART and Brabus emblems on the trunk.

I did not use the hair dryer this time. Just used fishing line to remove the emblems, and goof off to get the glue off, then a quick rinse and wax...no damage this time!

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I wish I would've asked before performing the botched nose job yesterday Just sucks that I marked up my 1-day old car yesterday...makes me want to buy a new hood