Safe Removal of Badges, Emblems and Moldings

Emblems and badges have been put on vehicles for a very long time.  They serve as ornamentation and brand identifiers, and can help a vehicle stand out from the crowd.  In other cases, they may clutter the look of a car.  When that happens, you might want to remove them for a cleaner look.

Most badges, emblems and moldings are attached to vehicles using a two-sided foam tape. That wasn’t always the case, though.  There was a time when the badges had posts on the back that poked through pre-drilled holes in the body.  I haven’t seen anything like that in at least 40 years, so if you have a modern vehicle and want to remove unwanted ornamentation, I have a safe way for you.

Safe Removal Of Two-Sided Foam Tape Badges, Emblems & Moldings

I have been playing around with aftermarket and 3D printed parts that attach to the hood of my truck with 3M Emblem Tape.  It’s the same stuff the OEMs use for the same kind of parts. “Playing around” means I am installing and removing these parts, so I have a process to remove them without damaging the paint.

In the illustrations below, I detail the removal of a 3D printed part I tried on my hood.  I’m happy to report that this process has never failed me, so I am confident it will serve you well.

Final Thoughts & Questions

Even though I have had good luck, your experience may vary.  When it comes to using the heat gun, start out on a low setting at first.  Do not overheat your paint as it can blister. Also, if you do not have access to an automotive adhesive remover, try a bug and tar remover.  It may require more applications, but it is safe to use.

If you have any concerns before trying this process, feel free to post a question in the comment section.