How much of a pain.....

"Hooker" (Hooker)
02/28/2014 at 10:33 • Filed to: None

.....in the ass would it be to remove the ECO badge from my car? Anyone ever do it? I don't want to damage the paint. But I do want to replace with a Turbo badge on the other side.

Thoughts?

Not a great picture, I know. The sun wasn't playing nice with me that day. And I kind of figured I would buy it anyway so I wasn't trying all that hard to get a good shot at the time.

DISCUSSION (48)

AndersSim - V10'ING > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:36

Just add a couple of AMG and M badges along the way ;)

On a more serious note, It could affect the paint in a rather bad way, as it is an emblem and not just a "sticker" badge. I wouldn't do it.

Frosted > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:36

Not hard. I've debadged a few cars with a screwdriver and a steady hand. If you're not feeling risky, try heating up the glue/adhesive holding it in place.

t_s > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:37

If it's just glued on it shouldn't be too much trouble. Some heat in the form of a hair dryer will soften the glue enough to get the badge off, a couple of shots of WD40 and some vigorous scrubbing with a paper towel will clear up any adhesive residue and a quick wash should see you away. I did this with my Golf (replaced the GTI badge with a 1.4 one) and my 500E (replaced it with a 200E badge).

RazoE > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:37

Depends. Are there prongs on the badge? If it's straight out tape/glue, just use a heatgun (hair dryer works), and some floss and have at it. Googone is good to remove residue.

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:38

3M Adhesive Remover, for once you get it off, is key.

whatisthatsound > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:38

It isn't that bad to take decals off, as long as they aren't drilled in. A clay bar, chapstick, goo-remover, and careful hands can pop them right off. First, take off the dealership name though. I think you work there, but still unless they are paying you every month for the extra advertisement I would remove it. Dealership names on cars is my biggest pet peeve though.

Hooker > AndersSim - V10'ING
02/28/2014 at 10:38

Yeah, I hear where you're coming from, the turbo badge is only going on because it does have a turbo. Thankfully, I'm not one of those people who puts random badges on it and hopes it adds horsepower. :)

Emblem meaning it could be secured with something other than two sided tape? Because the latter I could just add adhesive remover until it calmly comes off.

More Power!!and also some brakes. > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:38

A little Goof-off and some tooth floss and you can get that bad boy off in no time. I took the badges off my TL to paint, using this method. Worked like a charm.

jariten1781 > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:39

If there's no hole behind it apply some heat (hair dryer is good enough) then some doubled up dental floss and it'll pop off pretty easy. Then goo-gone away the rest of the adhesive (can take a while...apply more heat if necessary). Clean it up apply some wax and you're good to go. I've debadged lots of stuff, as long as you get to it in the first couple years it'll be fine.

Take off the lettering in the bottom left at the same time. (This should just be heat and a credit card or your finger nails).

Hooker > whatisthatsound
02/28/2014 at 10:39

It annoys me too but if you think of it this way, every moment I leave it on and advertise my dealership is one more possible sale. If that sale comes to me, I make money. It makes sense to leave it on. At least for a little while.

thedevilinside > RazoE
02/28/2014 at 10:40

Floss, not fishing line. Safer for the paint.

Hooker > jariten1781
02/28/2014 at 10:41

Bottom letters are fingernail only. Super cheap stickers. I just worry about it being drilled in instead of just tacked on. Not sure how to find out.

Hooker > More Power!!and also some brakes.
02/28/2014 at 10:41

Thanks. Never heard of Goof-off but I will check it out for sure!

Hooker > RazoE
02/28/2014 at 10:42

Yeah, that's the bit of information I'm not sure of yet. I was hoping someone here had done it and knew the answer to that question.

RazoE > thedevilinside
02/28/2014 at 10:42

edited to save the paint!

quarterlifecrisis > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:43

3M Adhesive Remover. Godsend.

Hooker > t_s
02/28/2014 at 10:43

Thanks for the tip! I just have to find out if it's drilled through the paint or not.

Hooker > quarterlifecrisis
02/28/2014 at 10:44

I'll grab some. Thanks!

thedevilinside > RazoE
02/28/2014 at 10:44

I know you had floss there too, I just cringe at the thought of Fishing line.

jariten1781 > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:44

It's most likely just tacked on. I'd just check the forums, someone else is bound to have guinea pigged it. Otherwise you could pull the carpeting from the lid and look at the back (assuming it's carpeted).

whatisthatsound > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:47

I hate your logic, but it makes perfect sense. I'll be saying some random curses so the internet doesn't explode at our agreement on reason. Fuck, son-of-a-bitch, shit, dick.

The Compromiser > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:48

As long as there aren't pins into the deck-lid its pretty easy. not damaging the paint is the hard part. They make products like Goo B Gone, etc. that help with the adhesive removal. It's a rectangle (Or as we call them Lazy Squares) from what i can see so it should come off easily.

I've seen/used everything from a large flat-head screwdriver with a rag wrapped on it to putty knives, exacto knives, razor blades Hair dryers, paint strippers/heat guns, you name it.

My Suggestion it mild heat (Don't want to burn the paint) and flat head screwdriver with a rag (Thick one). IF you think you are going to damage something you probably already did..

Jayhawk Jake > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:52

It's probably just taped on. Heat gun + dental floss/fishing line, goo-gone the residue.

It's how I removed my turbo badge and the rear kia badge on my Koup.

jariten1781 > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 10:55

Goof-off is serious stuff. It's kerosene based and will basically dissolve anything. Way overkill for this. Won't kill the paint, but I'd recommend something lighter for just debadging. You should have a can of Goof-off Pro Strength in your kit though, it's pretty amazing stuff.

CalzoneGolem > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 11:08

Takuro told me that heat + plastic razor blades

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 11:21

I would guess that since this decal isn't on every Chevy Cruze it doesn't have any prong, and thus no holes behind it.

Hooker > jariten1781
02/28/2014 at 11:46

Will do. Thanks!

Hooker > whatisthatsound
02/28/2014 at 11:47

Well said. I agree. The internet won't explode. Fuck, shit.

Hooker > The Compromiser
02/28/2014 at 11:48

Thanks for the tips. I'm probably going to try adhesive remover first. That way I'm not killing the paint right off the bat.

Hooker > Jayhawk Jake
02/28/2014 at 11:49

My Turbo badge will be here next week. So. Excited. My dealer said I could swap out the 2LT wheels I had on my old Cruze on this one for freebies. Just waiting on the go ahead to do it in the shop. I like those wheels better. Simple 5 spoke is like porn to me.

Hooker > CalzoneGolem
02/28/2014 at 11:51

Plastic razor blades. This. I'm going to attempt this weekend. I have a few projects this weekend. Thinking about running some new fuel/brake lines on the Crown. We'll see how that goes.

Hooker > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
02/28/2014 at 11:51

I like the way you think.

CalzoneGolem > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 11:53

Try not to take a shower in fuel or brake fluid.

Hooker > CalzoneGolem
02/28/2014 at 11:55

I think the coolant was enough to cure me of that. At least I hope so.

Jayhawk Jake > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 12:01

Should look good, I've never been a huge fan of the Cruze Eco wheels.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 12:14

Assuming the badge is just held on by adhesive it is easy. I've used Goo Gone sticker remover with excellent results. It doesn't leave residue and if you've cleaned around the badge beforehand you shouldn't scratch any paint.

Kinja'd!!!

The Compromiser > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 12:20

I used to work as a detailer and we had some fancy stuff that basically broke down the chemical bonds of the adhesive. You had to be careful though as it would eat the paint if left long enough.

after you pick the worst of what is left off you can use a reactant and soft cloths to get the rest off. If you aren't sure DO NOT use a razor blade. it will peel back paint like you wouldn't believe.

Hooker > The Compromiser
02/28/2014 at 13:26

When I was a young buck, oh say 11 years ago, I took a razor blade to my first car to get the 20 year old dealer sticker off. I should have left it alone. I'm a lot better now but I still don't go near paint.

Hooker > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
02/28/2014 at 13:27

Thanks! I love Goo Gone so I will have to grab some of this!

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 13:29

The little plastic spatula thingy works great too. I used this to get dealer stickers off my car and it didn't leave a mark and was quick and easy.

The Compromiser > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 13:49

We used to go at the dealership cars with acrylic solvent, a screwdriver and a rag, and a razor blade. It looked like we were hacking paint but we had done is soooo much we had the skills down.

Once we had a customer coming in to pickup his new Caddy and the last thing he said to the sales guy was NO DEALER STICKER. he was the kind who would turn and walk if you didn't keep him happy (Even mid-paperwork). He was 15 minutes out and I was across the road. He pulled in and I was crouched down behind the car (where he couldn't see me) still scraping away. Luckily the tag had been on for an hour or so. He went to the drivers door with the sales guy and I was crawling around to the passenger side to escape.

Hooker > Jayhawk Jake
02/28/2014 at 14:39

Glad to know I'm not alone. The simple, 5 spoke design of the 2LT wheels just seems to suit the car.

Kinja'd!!!

This would be the after picture once it's completed.

Jayhawk Jake > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 14:46

It's going to look great!

Hooker > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
02/28/2014 at 14:53

Just ordered it on Amazon for 6 bucks! Not bad!

Hooker > The Compromiser
02/28/2014 at 14:55

I've had customers like that too. "I'll walk if you don't take the $299 admin fee off" (only fee we have). I explain that even me, as a dealer employee pays that fee. The owners pay that fee when they purchase as well. BUT I reduced the price of the vehicle to make the Judge happy.

Hooker > Jayhawk Jake
02/28/2014 at 14:56

Indeed, I think so too! I can't wait! Just need to sell one of my old cars still on the lot and we will make the swap!!!

The Compromiser > Hooker
02/28/2014 at 17:39

It's always the self important new money fuckers too. The owner was like that too. If his demo of choice had a shinny dash the detailer got one warning.next time it was adiós.

He wore the loudest fugly shirtS. I had a theory that was proven time and again. Wealthy people have to flash the oppulence. The rich don't really care what you think and dont have to prove shit. They wear $1000 shirts because they fit just right and are exactly what they want. No giant branding or vomit sprayed colours on them. And they will be civil and nice first because they exude confidence and power.

Hooker > The Compromiser
02/28/2014 at 18:10

You kind of just described my boss.