anyone know few things about car detailing?

[772]

Hello people, I have a question and I couldn't think of any other place to ask such a question so here it is. My dad just handed down his 95 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck to me. It's been through things and little beat up but nonetheless, I am very happy to have my own little pickup. As I was thinking of ways to clean it up a little, I realized how ugly the big "T O Y O T A" letters on the tail gate looks. (the newer Tacoma's got much smaller letters which looks ok.) I want to remove them without leaving any sticky residues. Can anyone offer any advice on this? I know there are always someone on Anandtech who can answer any kinda questions. Thanks in advance!

 

[Brooks]

Sandblaster!! You also need nitro:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=38&threadid=193601

 

[772]

I removed the stick letters. Just peeled them off slowly. Now I have a thick sticky residue, still spelling out T O Y O T A on my tailgate. What can I use to remove them without harming the paint? Paint remover?

 

[Wangel]

I've removed many dealer emblems and manufacturer emblems. My feeling is that since this is now my car, I will choose my advertisers that I want on my car. Consequently, I will peel off all the emblems and stickers that the dealer and manufacturer will stick on my car. I also feel that it gives the car a more slick and cleaner look. Here is how you do it.

Use blow dryer to heat up the emblem. It will soften and then you can pry a plastic putty knife behind the emblem. Working slowing, pry the emblem off. Don't rush it. Just take your time. Letting the car sit out in the hot sun will also help. Once you have the emblem off, rub your finger across the glue residue. Many times you can rub this glue into a ball and remove it. Yes it does take some time. If this doesn't work, try some goof off. Windex, 409, and other household cleaners won't work.

NOTE: Many emblems are held on not with glue, but with screws. Make sure before you go prying on an emblem how it is held on.

 

[Ulfwald]

WD 40 works wonders for removing the sticky gunk. You may have to put a little work into it, but so far it is the best at removing this stuff and not the paint.

 

[772]

guys, I tried to rub off the goo but it just wasn't working. It's too thick I guess. So I tried goo-off and WD 40. It seemed to work a little but ended up spreading the whole thing. Any suggestions?

 

[Passions]

use goof-off or lighter fluid, let it set for a couple of mins. but not too long or u might do some damage.

 

[oldandquitemad]

Bobby got it. There is also a product similar to goof off called "goo-gone" that I used get "chevrolet" off the back of my tailgate. A word of CAUTION!! Apply a coat of wax after using a similar product to protect your vehicle's finish.

 

[772]

Thanks all of you for your advice!

 

[rahvin]

The stuff we used at the dealship I worked at was called silicon and adhesive remover. Worked great, even on the thick heavy adheasives.