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I decided to start this thread because it is worth discussing and standing on its own and also because it is a issue that is worth bringing up for folks to check on. Also, I need some advice with regards to my next steps.
About a year ago, my hood Lexus "L" logo fell off after shutting the hood. I cleaned it up and used a body tape to reattach it. Just this week, the trunk "SC" emblem (part of "SC430") fell off of the trunk lid. So I checked the other emblems on the car and discovered that the "Lexus" on the trunk was just barely held on at each end. So I did the ole hairdryer and mono-filament line trick to finish removing it before it decided to leave on its own. Unfortunately, I have no idea where the SC decided branch out on its own.
So the first part of this post is to inform everyone here that since the SC430 is getting old, it is worth checking your emblems to see if any of them are loose. Don't pull or tug very hard but a slight finger nail pry will tell you all you need to know. If it is loose, you might want to consider removing it on your time allowing you to keep control of it. Then you'll be able to reattach it such that it will stay for hopefully another 10 to 15 years.
My emblems were apparently gold plated by the original owner (I'm the 3rd owner and have had it since 2006), so they are a bit more difficult to find. BGW & I were able to track down replacements but they were chrome. The different color brings up several potential scenarios: have a mixed color (original gold & new chrome), have the chrome gold plated or attempt to paint the chrome. I don't like the idea of having a mix of colors for the emblem, especially not within the lettering, so that rules out the first possibility. I didn't really want to spend that much to get one gold plated. (I saw a kit for about $240.) So gold plating is out (I didn't pursue asking a dealer what they'd charge to plate it). Regarding the possibility of painting it, I'm not sure just how well the emblem would take paint, though it is worth a test.
I found chrome emblems for as low as $20 on ebay and LexusPartsNow ($35 with shipping). BGW found a couple on other sites for about $50. I gave ebay another try this morning and actually found some gold emblems but they were like $60 or $70 (some with shipping additional). <As an aside, it seems crazy that something as small and insignificantly light as the SC emblem would cost $15 to ship, but that seemed common.> Then I found some used SC300 & SC400 emblems that had been plated and they were both under $20. So I bought one and will just have to remove the numbers and the pegs on the back when it arrives. (Apparently the SC300 & SC400 emblems were installed with pegs still along with adhesive, rather than just glued on like the SC430.) So it will require a little Dremel action and adhesive residue removal from the back but still way cheaper. It looks like they are the same size also, so that shouldn't be an issue.
However, I still have an issue, the old adhesive residue from the Lexus and SC are still on the trunk lid and very hard and dried out and being very stubborn about exiting the premises. The heat from the hairdryer doesn't faze it. I tried rubbing alcohol, Goo Gone and WD40 and am out of ideas. Does anyone have any experience removing hard, dried out, 17 year old adhesive residue without damaging the paint? If so, what recommendations do you have for safely removing the residue so that I can reattach the emblems?
See the gap behind the Lexus emblem.
This is after the emblem removal with just the stubborn adhesive residue left.
Thank you for sharing what you experienced! Have you tried rubbing compound? And / or polishing compound? Perhaps a consult with a highly respected detailer. Maybe have them do it. Good luck and please let us know your outcome.
Bob, I did think about acetone, finger nail polish remover and mineral spirits but am concerned about what they'll do to the paint.
JTho, BGW also mentioned rubbing compound but I'm concerned with both it and polishing compound what it will do to the finish, but mainly because I have no experience with them. I'll probably eventually call a body shop or a detailer (thanks for that, I hadn't thought about a detailer) and ask for advise. I may even resort to having one of them treat it.
Though it's a very dated product name, I've dabbed some carburetor cleaner on a small portion of a towel or rag to remove badge/logo residue off of other vehicles that I've have owned and have also used it to remove my wife's shoe scuff marks off of the SC. If you use it sparingly it works great for this type of application or to remove road tar, etc.. I would try it on one of your letters or a small portion of one. It has never harmed the clear coat or paint when I've used it and works very fast. It's also advisable to use a large enough towel or rag to keep it from getting on your skin and use it in a well ventilated area..
Thanks BGW. Most of what the links are talking about deal with adhesive that has not dried out hard. I tried soaking it for hours with both Goo Gone and WD-40 to no effect. However, one guy mentioned Bug & Tar Remover. I'll give that a shot. One thing that the links did seem to agree on is that the rubbing and polishing compounds can muck up the paint if you don't know what you're doing and I definitely fall into the don't know what I'm doing with regards to paint! So I'll steer clear of that for now. Great links though, thanks for tracking those down.
Thanks for the carburetor cleaner suggestion sixonemale, I never would have come up with that. I'll give that a shot after the B&T Remover.
Apparently geriatric care of cars, like that of humans, is different than that of younger (less than 10 years) cars.
"Apparently geriatric care of cars, like that of humans, is different than that of younger (less than 10 years) cars." No truer words have been spoken!
3m eraser wheel is the only way to go. Then after what little residual stickiness is left is easily removed with your goo-gone in a few seconds. If you went to a body shop they will grab their 3m eraser wheel and be done in a couple of minutes.
Coleroad, 3m eraser. I'm not familiar with that. I'll have to look into that.
Sixonemale, my B&T Remover was all dried out, so I guess I'll try the carburetor cleaner first.
Bob, the 3m GP Adhesive Cleaner looks perfect. I wonder if it is available locally. (On a quick search, I didn't see it. So if all else fails, I may have to order it.) Good find!
Coleroad, 3m eraser. I'm not familiar with that. I'll have to look into that.
Sixonemale, my B&T Remover was all dried out, so I guess I'll try the carburetor cleaner first.
Bob, the 3m GP Adhesive Cleaner looks perfect. I wonder if it is available locally. (On a quick search, I didn't see it. So if all else fails, I may have to order it.) Good find!
04-06-19, 04:49 PM
emblems / logos / badges
