SilentWish

I've rearranged my emblems with the Super Strong 3M double sided tape, these tape are said to be the same ones the dealer uses to stick the emblems on?
However, I feel that they are thicker, as in, after sticking the emblems back on, the emblems stick out away from the trunk more than the original emblems before they were taken off.

Now i'm wondering, do these tapes flatten out some how after a period of time? i've only reapplied my emblems for 3 days. i thought they should have settled and flattened out by now?
other than sticking out a bit more, i feel that my emblems are softer compared to the original emblems.. as in.. i can twist them more than when the original emblems were on.. if these tapes do flatten themselves out over time, i guess that will solve this twisting issue as well as there will not be as much thick tape for the emblems to pivot on?

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

you have to press on them really really hard for them to flatten out...i suggest if you can, at night leave a clamp on them otherwise the tape wont be compress enough

SilentWish

oh wow~
didn't know i had to compress it like that for them to flatten out!
lol i thought it would flatten out on its own after applying or something
but then again it's tape.. not glue.. it's not gonna flatten out on it's own.. what was i thinking

i need to find a clamp somewhere then
or an alternative for a clamp.. hmmm..

thanks for your reply tho!

sr20mofo

iTrader: (10)

step1: cut out the measured length needed

step2: find clear tape and tape the sticky side of the freshly measured tape

step3: find a flat surface, get a hammer, and pound the sh!et out of it till it flattens out

step4: get a beer and grunt like a man for pounding the sh!et out of the tape

step5: chug the rest of the beer and finish up taping the emblems

.

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

well now that its already on the car, i would suggest a clamp. it shouldnt be hard because the emblems are near the bottom of the trunk so a clamp can easily sit on top. just remember to put like a piece of cardboard between the clamp and the emblems so that they dont get scratched

Micaiah

Or take them off and start again with the pounding method. But if you do that should the tape be cut just a tad shorter to allow for expansion due to pounding?

chrisyano

You're using the wrong tape. I'm not saying that stuff won't work, but it was not made for that application. I work with a handful of 3M products. They have a crazy catalog and I guarantee that there is a better product for car emblems than that stuff.

The OEM adhesive was likely really thin (as in a single-layer of thin plastic). You also said that it "moves". That's just because the adhesive is not aggressive enough, and has more soft materials than the originals. Yours has a foam-like padding, whereas I'd bet the original was clear and thin.

I'd suggest you try an automotive shop instead of a home improvement shop next time if you want a better match. Getting the right stuff is important if you care a lot about matching the original look and feel.

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

Shave the holes!! That's what I did!!

SilentWish

thanks for all the replies guys!

i did cut the tape a tad shorter to take into account that they will expand when flattened
hmm i will try to find a clamp, i'm not quite a handy person so i'll have to ask my friends for a clamp lol

SilentWish

oh and thank you so much for ur reply man!

if you dont mind can you please post a pic of the correct tape so i may go look for it and not end up with the wrong tape again? lol
cause i asked everyone and they all said to use this 3M tape that i have.. other ppl even said just use random strong double sided tape and it'll work

ptran

iTrader: (3)

This is what you need:

SilentWish

thank you so much ptran!
let me go look for it now

ColtM4A3

We never re-tape emblems. It's easier to buy new emblems that are pre-taped and it makes for a nicer job. If you want the correct tape look to an auto body supply store not a Home Depot. ptran has you on the right path.

chrisyano

A picture of my stuff wouldn't have helped, because it is not meant for the purpose intended here. The one above is what you're looking for.

And as ColtM4A3 mentioned, it really is a pain to try and match the contours with a double sided adhesive with a free hand straight blade. That 3M stuff above looks like it has some height to it, so you need to cut really well if you're really into the little details like I am. I also probably wouldn't do it and would buy a new set of emblems. Actually, I would fill the holes and paint but I digress.

Good luck.

SilentWish

thank you so much guys
appreciate the great help!