My tailgate got keyed a few weeks ago and I gotta get it repainted. The body shop says if I remove the badge and Ford oval it'l save me about $50. Any hints on doing this? I've heard that if you take some 30lb test fishing line and pull it along the backside it will come off, true?
Thanks

 

I don't really know how to get them off... I just had to say that I can't believe a body shop is going to charge you $50 to take them off. WTF!!

 

Well the quote they gave me was $225 which isn't bad at all I think. A 1/2 hr labor saved is about $50

 

Oh ok that's not bad then. I just talked to a buddy of mine who said that the fishing line thing will work you might have to get it started with a flathead screwdriver with a thin rag around the sharp tip to avoid any damage. Good luck!

 

well if you're going to get it repainted then it really doesn't matter if it's a little scratched does it.

just don't go all gung ho and dent the area... give it a try on a neighbor's vehicle... that way you've got some experience before you attempt it on yours.

 

Great idea!

 

Guys that have shaved their tailgates would know better, but I THINK the Oval is bolted on. I do know the "F150" is a thick plastic sticker.

 

It's not bolted on [the tailgate]. Just very good [3M] double sided tape.

It appears that way 'cause the thing is so damn tight.

Heat gun it for a few minutes with a brushing action and gently prior one side with a pick set [LINK] while leaving the heat gun on it. Don't pry from the top. Do one of the sides as this'll make it so much easier. Just keep prying until one side is raised and work your way directly to the other side and it'll just "peel" off.

You'll have some "gunk" residue there to clean up from the old badge and make the surface smooth again for the new emblem to go on. I actually hit my surface with some light-grade sandpaper first B4 putting the new one on. Worked like a charm.

Good luck.

 

Hair dryer and fishing line works well. Take your time. Start at a corner and sort of saw the line back and forth, taking care to pull the line gently towrd you as you do so to keep from rubbing the paint.

 

Thanks, heading to wally world to get some 30lb test now!

 

if its anything like the side ones its going to have plastic pins holding it in

 

I have tried WD-40, goo gone, alcohol, hair dryer..... is there anything else that I can use to get that damn residue off the paint?

 

alot of fingernail and goo-gone

 

From what I've read there are plastic plastic alignment pins on the fender badges, so when you take them off there'll be holes.

 

I used a plastic drywall spreader 2 inch wide from Lowes less then a buck, taped off around the emblems, but in your case its not needed and just pushed the spreader under the emblem and once I got 1/3 thru it I could pull the emblem off by hand, this also applies for the F-150 badge too.

I think its highway robbery that they are charging to remove the emblems before painting, I worked in a bodyshop for 2 years and that was part of the prep job before painting just as is sanding, taping etc, I woud get a second opinion even if you take them off yourself, it makes me doubt the quality you would recieve.