How not to debadge....front emblem paint issue

[Mattyo5]

welp....got my new badges from the store. Used a piece of plastic and a heat gun to remove the front kia badge. Like apparently so many others I now have paint chips.

I think I could have done it different. First off ....you can't pull up on the oem badge hardly at all because any flex in that front bumper means the paint is going to flake. The paint really is pathetic thin. Doing it again I would use a piece of fishing line. What I didn't know is that it's not just adhesive between the badge and the paint. Its foam with double side adhesive. Fishing line only severs the foam ....does not remove the adhesive.

I dont really know what to do about the paint flakes. Probably needs a full re spray. Hopefully they re spray with a few coats lol.

I'm thinking I should just put the new badge on for now and when the bumper is all crapped up in 20k miles respray it and put another new badge on.

What do you guys think?

 

[Bigbikes]

welp....got my new badges from the store. Used a piece of plastic and a heat gun to remove the front kia badge. Like apparently so many others I now have paint chips.

I think I could have done it different. First off ....you can't pull up on the oem badge hardly at all because any flex in that front bumper means the paint is going to flake. The paint really is pathetic thin. Doing it again I would use a piece of fishing line. What I didn't know is that it's not just adhesive between the badge and the paint. Its foam with double side adhesive. Fishing line only severs the foam ....does not remove the adhesive.

I dont really know what to do about the paint flakes. Probably needs a full re spray. Hopefully they re spray with a few coats lol.

I'm thinking I should just put the new badge on for now and when the bumper is all crapped up in 20k miles respray it and put another new badge on.

What do you guys think?View attachment 49316

Your should have left it in the sun or used a hair dryer,as a heat gun in the wrong hands is lethal.
As for getting the adhesive off again warm it slightly and use your thumbs,or do what i did was to use a pinstripe removal wheel from ebay.
its a rubber wheel which you put in a drill and using light pressure will remove every thing in minutes and leave no marks what so ever,unfortunately for you it's all tooooo late ...Good tool to have on hand though, cheers

 

[Mattyo5]

It was a hair dryer...but good idea on the pinstripe tool..tx

Just wondering if I should just say hell with it and put the e badge on .... or leave it bare until I get it repainted....

 

[MerlintheMad]

Leave it BARE!? Get a badge on there that covers the damage. Pronto, even.

 

[Bigbikes]

It was a hair dryer...but good idea on the pinstripe tool..tx

Just wondering if I should just say hell with it and put the e badge on .... or leave it bare until I get it repainted....

I'd still put badge on as it will take your eyes away from marks. If you can get touch up paint l would dab some paint on them as it's a darker pearl and if you take your time touching it up you'll get ok results until painted....If you go down the touch up path instead of using a paint brush,try using a tooth pick as you can fill just the hole easily. Just dip it in the paint and get a little ball of colour on the end of tooth pick, carefully touch up area...it's not ever going to be better than spraying it but will atleast be less obvious cheers

 

[Bigbikes]

Leave it BARE!? Get a badge on there that covers the damage. Pronto, even.

Problem is his chips are outside of even an oval badge size

 

[MerlintheMad]

Problem is his chips are outside of even an oval badge size

Get a bigger badge. Hah.

 

[Mattyo5]

I would get a badge but the chips are outside the oval. Ugh. Again....fishing line would have been better and knowing it was foam under there would have helped too. Maybe some painters tape around the outside of the oval would have helped too.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I would get a badge but the chips are outside the oval. Ugh. Again....fishing line would have been better and knowing it was foam under there would have helped too. Maybe some painters tape around the outside of the oval would have helped too.

You've just reinvented the right approach, by using the wrong approach and rethinking it too late. So sorry about that. But, it's fixable, eminently. So, no harm done to the car.

 

[Mattyo5]

It still goes like mad....love it.

 

[ChaneRZ]

Have it repainted and holes filled.

 

[Mattyo5]

I think if I have it repainted it'll be after it takes more damage. The paint is really thin and i can totally see the front bumper taking more damage in 20k miles or more

But it's something to consider having the holes filled in

 

[MerlintheMad]

I think if I have it repainted it'll be after it takes more damage. The paint is really thin and i can totally see the front bumper taking more damage in 20k miles or more

But it's something to consider having the holes filled in

The paint isn't that thin. Here's a comparative assessment. Paint is just ugh

The main preventative is PPF in front, at the least, the bumper cover and front half of the hood. I have mine PPFed back to the windshield.

 

[Gellero]

I pulled the paint off with front badge removal...hair dryer/pry off method that worked on the rear . The big "E" badge fortunately covered the defect.
In retrospect, it might have been worth a try to start with an electric heating pad on the original badge overnight to soften the foam adhesive, and proceed with the fishingline - goo-gone drip method with a hair dryer

 

[bearstinger]

I used spray Pam, cooking oil, a hair dryer and dental floss, came off without damage. Did take my time doing it. Saw with the floss, heat with the hair dryer, repeat..............

Sorry yours got damaged

 

[Mattyo5]

Thanks...yeah ....im a dentist. Have no idea why floss didn't cross my mind lol. Ugh.

I guess I didn't realize that the foam really needed to be sawed.

 

[bearstinger]

I guess I didn't realize that the foam really needed to be sawed.

I sawed and pried, real slow. Used some soft plastic shims to start lifting it. I used Pam since I had only goof off which they say not to use on paint. Pam, btw, works great for un-sticking your fingers if you mess up with super glue..............personal experience lol.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I pulled the paint off with front badge removal...hair dryer/pry off method that worked on the rear . The big "E" badge fortunately covered the defect.
View attachment 49425View attachment 49425In retrospect, it might have been worth a try to start with an electric heating pad on the original badge overnight to soften the foam adhesive, and proceed with the fishingline - goo-gone drip method with a hair dryer

Crap. That is the worst paint loss I have ever seen.

 

[jluppens]

welp....got my new badges from the store. Used a piece of plastic and a heat gun to remove the front kia badge. Like apparently so many others I now have paint chips.

I think I could have done it different. First off ....you can't pull up on the oem badge hardly at all because any flex in that front bumper means the paint is going to flake. The paint really is pathetic thin. Doing it again I would use a piece of fishing line. What I didn't know is that it's not just adhesive between the badge and the paint. Its foam with double side adhesive. Fishing line only severs the foam ....does not remove the adhesive.

I dont really know what to do about the paint flakes. Probably needs a full re spray. Hopefully they re spray with a few coats lol.

I'm thinking I should just put the new badge on for now and when the bumper is all crapped up in 20k miles respray it and put another new badge on.

What do you guys think?

I had almost identical paint chips after removing my badge. Funny thing was there were no chips stuck to the adhesive on the badge!?!? I ended up covering it up with an oval E badge and saved up to have it resprayed. Just got it back and would never know thankfully.

 

[Travis Wills]

It was a hair dryer...but good idea on the pinstripe tool..tx

Just wondering if I should just say hell with it and put the e badge on .... or leave it bare until I get it repainted....

Maybe try the touch up paint and let that dry for several days before you put the new badge on. Will the new badge even cover those spots?