How to Properly De-badge (walkthrough w/ pics)

[wildcat333]

Quick little thread here. Basically I did some research on here and other sites, and just wanted to share my successful method of debadging my Audi A4.

Tools needed:
Dental floss, 3M Adhesive Remover, hair dryer, clean microfiber towels.


How to:
- I took the hair dryer on full blast hot, and held it within one inch of the badges for about 30 seconds.
- Sprayed a healthy amount of the 3M Adhesive Remover all over the badge.
- Heated it up again for 30 seconds.
- Took out a long piece of dental floss, rocked it back and forth behind the badge while pulling backwards towards myself (away from the car) in a saw-like motion (there are videos on youtube also).
- There was still a lot of glue residue left on the rear, so I took more 3M product and sprayed it all over the glue.
- Heated it up again.
- Used microfiber towels soaked in 3M product and scrubbed the glue off using a back-and-forth motion with force.
- Once most of the glue residue is off the body, spray some more 3M product to make sure all glue is removed.
- Wipe with a clean wet cloth and splash plenty of water all over the area to make sure it is clean.
- I had some ghosting of the "A4" and "2.0 T" for a day or so, but it went away within a week and after a couple car washes.

Thoughts:
I'm happy with the results, and think it looks quite clean. This was one of the first real "mods" I have been able to do on my car myself. I took my time, taking maybe an hour, and it completely changed the rear look of my car.

Pics:

Rear Before


A4 Before


A Removed


A4 Removed


Wiping Away the A4


Lack of A4


Without A4 from rear (half-way done)


2.0T QUATTRO Before


2 Removed


2.0 Removed


2.0T QUATTRO Removed


Bag of Badges :)


Debadging complete

[Audi_509]

Looks clean.

Great job.

[Adub-Drew]

When i did this i used thin fishing line rather than dental floss, thought that it woud hold its strength better... As for removing the adhesive i just warmed it up a bit more and used turtle wax bug & tar remover, came off super easy!

[grail]

anyone thinks goo gone will also work? basically the same as a bug and tar remover

[A4turboSs]

Nice writeup good stuff

[boosteda4]

I just debadged today after work as well, lol... I left the quattro emblem though...

[4RingRook.]

anyone thinks goo gone will also work? basically the same as a bug and tar remover

Yes, that's what I used. Goo gone to remove the residue, then some polish.

[Audi_509]

Yes, that's what I used. Goo gone to remove the residue, then some polish.

Same here. Came off easily.

[wildcat333]

I've heard bug&tar remover will basically do the same thing - just help loosen up the glue.

And I debated about leaving the Quattro emblem on, because I've seen both styles of a "debadge," but ultimately liked this style, and figured it would make a wax job just that much easier.

[Audicoupej]

Goo gone will work, as will rubbing alcohol or SLX denatured alcohol. You need to be careful when rubbing with a microfiber. Switch to clean parts of the towel often, since the leftover adhesive usually has dirt/debris stuck in it and you can scratch the crap out of your paint (more noticeable on darker paint colors). To help with the ghosting you can use a paint polish, such as Meguairs Scratch-x, by hand to clean it up. Apply a wax/sealant afterwards as well to protect the paint.

The 3M adhesive remover is strong stuff. It works well but be careful what you use it on. I have had it cause issues on painted/coated emblems (trying to remove old wax residue near them).

I love the debadged look. It is cleaner and makes it easier to wash, dry, polish, wax. Good job wildcat!

[wildcat333]

Good job wildcat!

Thanks, guys! I also like how only really car guys will notice the debadge, and most people would not notice this "mod" I don't think.

[mbhockey13]

I like my badges. But this is helpful.

I suppose if my badges ever got funky looking I could pick up a used set pretty cheap from someone on AZ...

[Stewy]

When i did this i used thin fishing line rather than dental floss, thought that it would hold its strength better... As for removing the adhesive i just warmed it up a bit more and used turtle wax bug & tar remover, came off super easy!

That's exactly what I did....worked like a charm.

[Koby]

Looks great, debadging seems to do more for our cars than most others. I need to do mine, can't beat those free mods.