I need to put my new efini badges on my FD. I have searched and not found a lot of answers. Most posts seem to suggest using the 3M double-sided tape.

My concern about using the tape is that there will be a gap between the body and the emblem. So I'm thinking of using some sort of glue or something along those lines.

I'm asking for feedback from anyone who has applied emblems to their car before. What did you use and how well did it work?

Also, anyone with a lot of bodywork experience feel free to chime in with your recommendations

Thanks!

 

you use an adhesive backing. usually its square shaped and you have to cut and apply it to the back of the emplem like double sided tape. i'll try to find you a site that sells it

adam

 

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

Is the stuff thick like the 3M tape? or is pretty thin like maybe the thickness of a piece of paper? I'd rather not have a gap between the emblem & car

 

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...d=CX2WXLSHJ7ge



3M™ Acrylic Plus Tapes

Later

 

Go up to any new vehicle and see how it's badges are attached. I bet you find more often than not that the manufacturers are using the double sided acrylic foam tape and it does have a tiny gap from the thickness of the tape, but you never noticed before anyway so why not do it on the 7?

I debadged my 07 chevy pickup, EVERYTHING was attached with the double sided tape and was a job to get it all off, so it's not going anywhere unless you want it to.

 

I'm betting most if not all american cars are done that way. However, when I removed the original badge from my FD, the rear did not have any tape...it's hard to say what was used but there was no gap at all.
The front left some sort of really thick residue that I'm still trying to get off, but even that did not have any gap whatsoever between the car and the emblem. It may have been some sort of glue poured inside the ring that somehow adhered without leaving any space around the entire ring of the Mazda circle.

I thought about using superglue, but I'm pretty sure a thicker substance should be used because the pins on the emblem are a little loose in the holes. Maybe I'll have to visit a body shop next week...was hoping to get these on asap.

 

speaking of residue, does anyone know of something that will easily get the goo off that was left from the original badge? I'm afraid to use Goof-off and ruin the paint...it's still in mint condition

 

Try using "Goop." You can buy it at home depot, it comes in these small travel-size toothpaste size tubes. The stuff is pretty good, it glues almost anything together, and the excess literally peels away. When you're done with the badge, you'll be able to peel it off and then peel the glue off after it. It won't leave any residue. I haven't used this on car paint, but I would imagine that it'll work since I've used it on plexiglass/good/steel/rubber so far.

 

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...be6DTWTJQPBBgl

 

^^sounds a lot like goop, but I'd go with that since it specifically mentions car paint...

 

Hey wolfman,
I posted this in a thread a while ago too........but i'll put it up again.


I always use a specific glue called "Contact Cement" type glue. It is very strong.
Apply it with a toothpick and patience.

First clean away the old glue residue with either the goop, or use rubbing compound....Note: Very gently and not in excess.....and use another toothpick and wet cloth. Gently remove it all, and completely dry the area when done.
You could also wax the area if you like to make sure the old goo is removed......just make sure to rub all the wax off when done.....so that you have a surface which is completely clean in order to apply the glue.

The contact cement glue works very well......Just be careful when putting it on, that you dont overspill onto the car, and that you dont press too hard that the emblem will either slide away from you or excess glue seeps out the sides. Trick is to not use way too much glue. Just a little to make it have a good solid contact.

Have the toothpick and cloth on hand to clean up any excess glue off around the emblem before it has a chance to dry. Note: It dries quick.

Press on the emblem for about 5 minutes, while making sure no glue is seeping out.

I do the above method every time.

Just don't rush when you are doing it.....take an hour if you need to and do it proper...... and you will have an emblem that will almost never come off, and won't have the ugly space in between that you're talking about.

Good Luck.....& pics when done.

Cheers,
Chris

 

I think I'm going to give this a try since it's specifically designed for car emblems and cured paint. It's a gel which is probably thick enough to fill the holes nicely. And 3M shows that it's sold at a local Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes store.

I'm definitely going to apply the techniques that you mentioned Chris, and thanks for your very detailed post...I definitely could have used that while I was searching the forum for this info. I'll have to pick up some toothpicks too. And I'll post pics when I'm done so I can show off my baby.

 

sounds good let us know how it turns out