Debadging question

Jngrbrdman · 02-06-05, 12:32

I've got a new Legacy GT that I need to debadge. I don't know if you have ever paid much attention to the back of the new Legacys, but the badging on the back is going to be a B**** to wax around. I figure its best to just take most of it off. I'm going to leave Subaru on one side and take off the rest. I've done debadging on dealership emblems and vinyl advertising, but I've never actually taken off factory badging before. Is a hair dryer going to be sufficient or will I need to break out the heat gun? I don't want to wreck the letters and my heat gun gets pretty hot. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Lochi · 02-06-05, 12:36

I debadged mine using a hair dryer, dental floss and some alcohol

Jngrbrdman · 02-06-05, 12:45

Yeah, that's how I usually do it too. Hopefully that works the same. Its the first order of business when I get that baby home on Monday. Here is a picture of the debading area.

I don't like it at all. The GT is way too big. Or maybe the 2.5 is too small. I dunno... There is a custom emblem maker that will make you a badge in those chrome letters to say whatever you want. I'm thinking about taking off the Legacy 2.5 GT and replacing it with 'sleeper'.

I haven't seen too many of these out on the roads here (which is weird considering where I live) so chances are that people aren't expecting this mild mannered looking car to go 0-60 in 5.7 seconds.

6cyl's_of_fury · 02-06-05, 02:56

Nine times out of ten I have found that you dont even need a hairdryer or heat gun. Just get some fishing wire ( or similar ) in between your two pointer fingers ( like dental floss ) and gently "saw" behind the badge. Then in most cases I have found that you can rub any excess sticky stuff off with your finger. If its a bit tougher, then a quick swish with some rubbing alcohol will have it off in a jiffy.

ntwrkguy1 · 02-06-05, 06:06

Quote:

Originally posted by 6cyl's_of_fury
Nine times out of ten I have found that you dont even need a hairdryer or heat gun. Just get some fishing wire ( or similar ) in between your two pointer fingers ( like dental floss ) and gently "saw" behind the badge. Then in most cases I have found that you can rub any excess sticky stuff off with your finger. If its a bit tougher, then a quick swish with some rubbing alcohol will have it off in a jiffy.

That's how I debadge a car, as well. It works well, but just be sure to go slow. Sometimes I have to resort to using a little of the 3M Wax and Adhesive Remover after the badge is gone.

JohnnyDaJackal · 02-06-05, 06:55

Do you have site for the place who makes custom badges?? I know a couple kids who got it done replacing honda and acura with their last names. It looked pretty good but hard to see, both cars were silver.

lagniappe · 02-06-05, 08:42

Use a hair dryer or heat gun set on low as previously mentioned. Also try to get a plastic scraper underneath the the badge while you are doing this. You can purchase a plastic scraper at Home Depot or Lowes in the paint department. They are used for scraping painted wood that has been soaked with paint remover. Also try useing 20 lb. monofiliment fishing line. Get the line started underneath a corner of the badge then pull back and forth on the line in a sawing type motion. Cut off a piece long enough so that you can wrap it around both of your hands so that you can get a good grip.

I did this recently to debadge that blue colored UWS badge on my truck tool box that clashed with color of my truck.

Accumulator · 02-06-05, 08:57

Jngrbrdman- I'd first find out how the badging is mounted. Back when I had an Outback, some was pinned (the "Legacy") and the rest was glued on. Seemed odd that it wasn't all one way or the other...

I'd *guess* that the "GT" is glued, since it's not on every Legacy, but who knows. See if you can get a look at the back of the panel. It's usually no big deal to pop the pinned ones back on, but you don't need any nasty surprises when you're halfway through the job.

Jngrbrdman · 02-06-05, 09:03

http://youremblem.com/

I was going to have an Autopia one made for the longest time, but it just wouldn't have looked good on the Integra. I keep wanting to do one on the Accord in place of the LX or something. On the subie it should look good.

Corey Bit Spank · 02-06-05, 09:40

It's really no problem.

I debadged my car last year and you can't even tell there were badges there for 7 years.

Be prepared to rub to get off the residual glue though.

skipperw · 02-06-05, 09:53

If you have a truck, these are cool. Also has instructions to take off badges.
http://www.billetbadges.com/

ShineShop · 02-06-05, 06:37

Quote:

Originally posted by Jngrbrdman
I've got a new Legacy GT that I need to debadge. I don't know if you have ever paid much attention to the back of the new Legacys, but the badging on the back is going to be a B**** to wax around. I figure its best to just take most of it off. I'm going to leave Subaru on one side and take off the rest. I've done debadging on dealership emblems and vinyl advertising, but I've never actually taken off factory badging before. Is a hair dryer going to be sufficient or will I need to break out the heat gun? I don't want to wreck the letters and my heat gun gets pretty hot. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Nice car - congratulations.