Debadging a '94. Bad idea?

skywalker1020 · 02-09-05, 02:33

I've got a maroon '94 4Runner with 150K miles. I consider the paint to be in good shape but it's nowhere near what I'm seeing on the car pictures on this site.
I was thinking about debadging the rear end and perhaps replacing one or two of the badges with badges from a newer model 4Runner in black chrome. I am worried about the "shadow effect" that sometimes results from debadging. Can anyone tell me how to tell if I will get shadowing before it's too late? Or is it just a bad idea no matter what on a car that old? Thanks.

RedondoV6 · 02-09-05, 06:09

It is not a guarantee but check out the door jams and compare the paint there to the paint near the badges. If there is a difference you will probably get a shadow if you remove a badge.

My guess is that it will be a bad idea.

Shiny Lil Detlr · 02-09-05, 06:39

I would tape the edges and pull 'em off... see how bad the oxidation is. If it looks manageable, go ahead and try polishing it out, otherwise just put the emblems back. Worst case you won't accomplish any major change.

G35stilez · 02-10-05, 07:02

I agree with Shiny Lil Detlr.

Well, first, make sure there are no holes behind them. Jump on a 4Runner board to ask. If not, then heat em up and remove with a platic razor blade/fishing line. Clean up the residue with a bug/tar remover. You will most likely need to polish. Here is a couple pics I did for a customer who removed his with a rubber spatulla. I believe this car was a 99, but it had 150k on the clock.

After a wash and clay

After polishing with Meguiar's SFP

UnsanePyro · 02-10-05, 04:42

It looks like he used his teeth on the last one, geeze. Doesn't make sense that he would do a cosmetic mod to make the car look nicer but just scratch everything up instead.

MaThGr82 · 02-10-05, 07:54

Quote:

Originally posted by UnsanePyro
It looks like he used his teeth on the last one, geeze. Doesn't make sense that he would do a cosmetic mod to make the car look nicer but just scratch everything up instead.

I was guilty of that with my Silverado. I accidentally nicked the paint taking off the 1500 emblems and scratched up the paint a little. I was annoyed by it until I came here and learned how to take out the scratches.