Here is a quick guide on how to remove and install the rear make and model badges / Emblems. 

 

What you need

 

• Adhesive Remover (Autoglym Tar Remover , WD40 etc) 
• Trim removal tool or dental floss
• Microfiber Cloth
• Tape (Electrical or Masking tape) 
• New badges / Emblems (Rapid in Black Magic and Skoda in Black Magic) or lesser quality but cheaper (Ebay Acrylic Skoda Emblem  and eBay Acrylic Black Rapid) 

 

Step one

 

Make sure the working area is clean as possible. 

 

No need to wash the car completely down, but give the area a quick wash with soapy water and rinse with clean water. 

 

Ensure the working area is completely dry before going any further and out of the elements / weather. 

 

Step two

 

 

Using the masking tape or electrical tape, mark the area around the badge as close as possible. 

 

This will help when installing the new badges.

 

If you're just removing the badges completely then there is no need to carry out this step. 

 

Step three

 

There are a couple of ways this step can be done so pick which one you prefer. 

 

First, using dental floss (this is a favorite) in a sawing motion from top to bottom.  Draw the floss through the adhesive backing until each individual letter becomes lose. 

This method will prevent any undue damage to the paintwork but can be time consuming. 

 

Second method is what i used. Using plastic trim removal tools, use the most appropriate tool and push it in behind the lettering.  Ensuring to not use to much force, lever the letters away from the body of the vehicle.  You may need to adjust the position of the tool around the same letter to lever sections off at a time. 

This is quicker but could cause damage to the paintwork if you're not careful. 

 

The final way is risky but is lots quicker and less messy if you do it right.  Using a heat gun or hair drier, apply heat to an individual letter at a time to reduce the effectiveness of the adhesive.  As it heats up the letter will become lose and can simply be pulled away from the body.

Be careful as applying to much heat in one area could cause the paint to burn or burn the adhesive onto the paint leaving unsightly marks. 

 

If you use a hair drier the risks of burning the paint is much lower but will take a lot longer for the lettering to become lose and can still leave a lot of residue behind. 

 

Step Four

 

You need to remove the left over adhesive.  

 

To do this, use the adhesive remove and apply small quantities either to a microfiber cloth if  you have a bottle of the stuff or spray directly onto the adhesive remains if it comes in a spray bottle.

 

Allow a few minutes for the adhesive remover to do its work and then using a microfiber cloth to rub the remaining adhesive away. 

 

You may need to use a plastic spatula to help remove some of the more stubborn material or just your nails if you're careful. 

 

The area behind the emblems will have residual road grime, this is nothing to worry about and can be removed, so be sure to give the area a good clean before moving on.  

 

Step Five

 

If you're removing the badges / emblems completely then you can now remove the tape and you're done!

 

If you're adding alternative badges / emblems then you need to give the area a clean down with some clean water to that no adhesive remover remains. 

 

This will give a good surface for the new adhesive to adhere too. 

 

Peel the backing paper off from the new emblems. DO NOT REMOVE THE CLEAR FRONT! This is what holds the letters equally apart and remains on until later.  

 

You'll then need to line up the new badge within the edges of the tape that you put on earlier.  

 

Be careful to hold the badge / emblem away from the body as it is extremely sticky and will grab immediately.

(I can assure you that although the car is dirty, the working area was clean in this picture)

Once lined up press the badge onto the body, ensuring to press all parts of the letters and not just the center area to ensure the adhesive has grab entirely. 

 

With this done you can now remove the clear front and all the tape. 

 

I would advise not washing for at least 24hrs to give the adhesive enough to fix itself. 

 

Now repeat on the alternative side.

  

I've tried hairdryers but it's easier just pouring hot (not boiling) water over the badge at stage 3. 

Hot water, then dental floss, worked great and almost all of the glue comes off too. Just a quick rub of WD40 and its completely gone.

Edited 2 July, 20205 yr by camelspyyder

I've seen the boiling water method done before and you're right its a lot easy. I opted not to use that method as it would have loosened and removed the tape which I was using to mark the area for the new badges, ideal if you're just removing them though. 

Where did you get the lip spoiler?  I like it.

@OctaviaMK4 It came as standard with the Rapid Sport Edition