Body Emblem Restoration

[VetteGarage]

Pulled off the C4 emblem from the gasoline filler door today. It was backed up with what appears to be a black two way foam tape. Of course is was not reusuable and I was wondering what is usually done when you reinstall these emblems.

 

[maxm]

Hi...you don´t ned the tape. It works enyway. Be careful not to tighten the nutts to hard. they break VERY easy.
Max

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

Pulled off the C4 emblem from the gasoline filler door today. It was backed up with what appears to be a black two way foam tape. Of course is was not reusuable and I was wondering what is usually done when you reinstall these emblems.

I jsut found out the same thing the hard way too ad
But now I have that black "stuff" stuck on my gas filler door?
How do you get it off before putting the new emblem on?????

I have not tried the front one yet but I'm sure it will be the same deal.
Any easy way to get it off without destroying the hood ?

 

[VetteGarage]

I soaked the area with tar remover and scrapped it off with the edge of of PLASTIC washer. I did not want to scratch it. I contacted a local auto restorer about what to use in place of the black foam, but he has not responded yet. I will post the solution.
I am going to remove the emblem in the front, but I though I would try the rear one first, as in the worst case, I could remove the door and repaint it if need be. I have a new emblem for the front. I think it has the adhesive on it already.

 

[Interceptor430]

I replaced both the front and rear emblems on my '91.
I used a hair dryer...the high heat setting loosened up that black tape and it came off easily. The I used windex to clean up the residual stuff. This worked Perfectly.

 

[VetteGarage]

Interceptor430
Did you use anything under the old emblem when you replaced them? I thought about some black silicon. Painting it on real even and letting it dry before installation.

 

[Interceptor430]

I put new emblems on there, and the new emblems came with the tape. If you don't have any tape - I'd go buy some.
Any of the larger autoparts stores will have it.(Body side moulding tape) That's the right thing to do. JMHO.

 

[Nigel80031]

While you are talking about fuel lid emblems which soon I have to source and replace, does any one know what type of head is on the screws holding the fuel lid to the hinge.? I have tried metric and imperial allen keys but none of these seem to fit.

I have got small paint bubbles on my original one and have just brought a used one. I hope to be able to get it painted to match the paint work. Car has less than 2K on it so the paint is in near new condition. The original lid has been wet sanded before but the bubbles have come back again.

 

[Interceptor430]

Have you tried torx bits? or torx screwdrivers?
If you don't have any in your tool box, then it sounds like you just might have to visit your favorite Tool store! I like it when I find there's a tool that's not in my shop - I then get to go shopping!
New tools...new toys!

 

[VetteGarage]

I just went outside (through the snow) to my garage. The size of TORX holding the door to the hinge are T25. The pan over the fuel tank uses T15. TORX are 6 point star shaped with rounded points. You need a couple sets of these tools. I have 5 or 6 different types in my tool chest.

 

[*89x2*]

3M makes all sorts of automotive adhesives. As said before, a heat gun (or hair dryer) works well to remove goo from emblems/decals. I had to use "goo gone" to get the adhesive off the tail of my daily driver as glass cleanes, etc wouldn't Cut it.
hope this helps

 

[paintdaddy]

I suggest you just buy a new emblem,unless yours is just like brand new.You can buy that tape at any paint store or they sell a glue that works well.

 

[DaveMach]

3M general purpose adhesive cleaner for removing adhesive, silicone, wax, grease, tar, oil and it does not harm the finish. took off decal/graphics another car just needs to soak. bought at napa

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

On this side of the sea we have a 2 part epxoy made just for replacing body trim. It is made by a company named Nural.

It works well and comes off eaiser than the tape when you need to do the job again.

3M must have an equal product.

 

[Baldie88]

I just received my new nose and gas door emblems yesterday and then I ran across this thread the same day. Coincidence?? Anyway it looks like the gas door isn't too bad to replace other than taking off the old tape. I checked and the new one does have the tape on it already. However I noticed the nose emblem does not have any tape on it. Is it necessary? Also someone said it was harder to replace this one. If you've already done it and can offer advise, I'm listening. Thanks. :gap

 

[The Car Whisperer]

I replaced both of my emblems with new GM parts. The hood emblem did not come with tape, the gas door did. I left the peel off plastic on the gas door one, just trimed it back with a sharp exacto knife so you can't see it. I did not glue or stick on anything. I like to be able remove the emblems when I'm doing a complete detailing on my car, the emblems are easy enough to take off and put on and I don't see that the tape is needed at all.

 

[secondchance]

Personally I keep the tape off both front and rear emblem. This allows me to remove both emblems periodically when I wash and wax the area. Much cleaner result than with the emblem on the car.

 

[Nigel80031]

Thanks Interceptor430 and VetteGarage for the information on the Torx screw. Brought a set of bits today and ordered a new emblem as well. All I need now is for the body shop next door to find time to paint the lid.

 

[VetteGarage]

I decided to buy a new emblem for the fuel filler door. I will put tape on the front if it does not already have it. I really like the info from Vettaholic and The Car Whisperer about leaving the plactic covering on the tape for easy removal. Every time I wax the car, I think how nice it would be to NOT have those emblems to clean around. I am going out to the garage and remove the emblem on the hood.

Isn't this a GREAT forum?? Thanks to all who make it possible!

 

[Interceptor430]

Yes...this is a great site...and I enjoy helping when I can. I don't get to do that very often cause I seem to be asking questions most of the time....

I like the idea of not taping the emblems down too....the new GM
emblems I received for my '91 were different than what I took off the car....new=plastic old ones=cast.....(Can anybody explain this to me?)
the old rear one had nuts on the backside...this new plastic one
just had plain plastic non-treaded pins - so, I thought it would
be better/safer to go ahead and install them with the tape.

How are you guys securing the emblem on the car?
:confused