De- (and Re-) Badging

[MalcolmS]

After a rather unfortunate accident with a sponge I managed to snap the 'k' of 'T.Spark' off the back of my Alfa. I've ordered a replacement badge, but was wondering - what is the best way to remove the remaining adhesive without damaging the paintwork, and do I need to otherwise prepare the surface before attaching the replacement letter?

Cheers!

[steve_D]

MalcolmS said:

After a rather unfortunate accident with a sponge I managed to snap the 'k' of 'T.Spark' off the back of my Alfa. I've ordered a replacement badge, but was wondering - what is the best way to remove the remaining adhesive without damaging the paintwork, and do I need to otherwise prepare the surface before attaching the replacement letter? Cheers!

Don't know how this is bonded but suspect it will be double sided tape. If it has a foam sandwich in the tape then you can remove the badge with fine wire as a 'Cheese cutter' then remove the remainder of the tape with something like methalated spirit.
If it is just an adhesive tape then you can heat it with a hot air gun whilst applying leverage with a wallpaper knife. Get the knife under the edge of the badge and apply the heat. Go careful as you don't want to burn anything.

Steve

[off_again]

My old Golf GTI was debadged at the garage when I picked it up. They forgot to do it when I bought it and just litterally jet-washed it off.... worked and didnt have a problem with the paint work. Not sure if its the same system used for Alfa's though....

At the time I thought it was a little extreme!!

[MalcolmS]

Thanks for the info. I didn't think to mention that it's attached with foam sandwich-style adhesive tape so the cheese-wire approach + meths sounds reasonable. I'd usually use surgical spirit to remove adhesive residue from other things but thought it wise to check that it wouldn't damage the paintwork. Cheers!

[RazMan]

Wire might scratch the paint - use nylon fishing line ..... it worked for me