Busted E

Some years ago I bought good quality black out letters to cover the chrome 4RUNNER badge in the rear hatch of my '15 SR5. They came with glue already in place. I put them on per manufacturer's instructions. I was quite satisfied.

I noticed last evening that half of the "E" has broken off. I suspect the breakage happened at a drive-thru car wash.

When I get the new letter how do I get the damaged one off? I'm thinking heat gun but am concered about damaging the paint on the hatch.

Have you had to do this? Any good ideas would be welcome. Thank you.

 

Dental Floss to "saw" the glue.

 

After the dental floss, use Goo Gone to get the glue off. A little spit & shine with that will clean it up enough for another clean overlay application.

 

These methods will not work on "overlays".

 

So half the overlay has broken off but the chrome letter is still intact? The overlay is secured with molding tape, which doesn't adhere all that strongly to chrome plastic. 30 sec with a heat gun and you should be able to pry off the overlay with a plastic trim tool. Don't worry about the paint as it's baked at higher temps than your heat gun puts out.

Stop using those "soft cloth" automatic car washes. Either DIY or run through a touchless car wash if the weather is too cold.

 

^ What he said ^

 

Really? It worked for me. Original chrome emblems looked like new too.

 

I'm 72 w/ a bum knee. It's 96 degrees and 75% humidity. I won't be washing any trucks.

But thanks for the heat gun tip. That will be my last resort.

 

Those overlays - even the non OEM Ebay stuff - actually stick on really well. I pulled the OEM chrome letter underneath off by accident while trying to deal with a overlay that had a protrusion. IIRC it was also an 'E'. Caution is advised to OP!

 

Pulling off the underlying chrome piece is what I am worried about.

 

Unless you break the chrome one, it can be put back on with double sided tape.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice. I ordered a new set and will get them in about a week. Repair soon to follow...