Replaced Front and Rear Emblems
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 3
Replaced Front and Rear Emblems
Both front and rear emblems "melted" and had to be replaced. By "melted" I mean the finished black surfaces all delaminated and became wrinkled and could be removed by simply rubbing with a finger. Then the emblem itself separated from the adhesive backing which remained stuck to the car. When removing the emblem you could see the plastic had become brittle. The adhesive backing was removed from the painted surface, the surface then was easily cleaned and ready for the replacement emblems.
This is where some learning happened.
Via Amazon, I ordered both emblems as they were identified as OEM GM parts. The front emblem was OEM, was packaged/labeled as OEM and was nicely finished, the entire back had an adhesive layer and it installed beautifully.
The rear emblem I received was not an OEM part - and not labeled as such, it had poor finishes and would have had to have its mold-release points sanded flat if even a chance of it lying flush on the car's surface. This part is being returned.
I found an OEM rear emblem at our local Corvette store and, like the front emblem, it was nicely finished, conformed to the shape of the surface and had adhesive over the entirety of its back as opposed to just the two flag areas on the knock off.
There was a price difference between the real GM emblems and the aftermarket one(s) but for me the OEM parts were worth the money.
This is where some learning happened.
Via Amazon, I ordered both emblems as they were identified as OEM GM parts. The front emblem was OEM, was packaged/labeled as OEM and was nicely finished, the entire back had an adhesive layer and it installed beautifully.
The rear emblem I received was not an OEM part - and not labeled as such, it had poor finishes and would have had to have its mold-release points sanded flat if even a chance of it lying flush on the car's surface. This part is being returned.
I found an OEM rear emblem at our local Corvette store and, like the front emblem, it was nicely finished, conformed to the shape of the surface and had adhesive over the entirety of its back as opposed to just the two flag areas on the knock off.
There was a price difference between the real GM emblems and the aftermarket one(s) but for me the OEM parts were worth the money.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
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From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
I replaced my front emblem for the same reason and was able to find a reasonably priced OEM part from an on-line Chevy dealership. When/if it comes time to replace the back emblem I'll be sure to remember your experience. Thanks. 
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Sometimes it really pays to spend the extra money and get the OEM stuff. 
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Gainesville FL
Both front and rear emblems "melted" and had to be replaced. By "melted" I mean the finished black surfaces all delaminated and became wrinkled and could be removed by simply rubbing with a finger. Then the emblem itself separated from the adhesive backing which remained stuck to the car. When removing the emblem you could see the plastic had become brittle. The adhesive backing was removed from the painted surface, the surface then was easily cleaned and ready for the replacement emblems.
This is where some learning happened.
Via Amazon, I ordered both emblems as they were identified as OEM GM parts. The front emblem was OEM, was packaged/labeled as OEM and was nicely finished, the entire back had an adhesive layer and it installed beautifully.
The rear emblem I received was not an OEM part - and not labeled as such, it had poor finishes and would have had to have its mold-release points sanded flat if even a chance of it lying flush on the car's surface. This part is being returned.
I found an OEM rear emblem at our local Corvette store and, like the front emblem, it was nicely finished, conformed to the shape of the surface and had adhesive over the entirety of its back as opposed to just the two flag areas on the knock off.
There was a price difference between the real GM emblems and the aftermarket one(s) but for me the OEM parts were worth the money.
This is where some learning happened.
Via Amazon, I ordered both emblems as they were identified as OEM GM parts. The front emblem was OEM, was packaged/labeled as OEM and was nicely finished, the entire back had an adhesive layer and it installed beautifully.
The rear emblem I received was not an OEM part - and not labeled as such, it had poor finishes and would have had to have its mold-release points sanded flat if even a chance of it lying flush on the car's surface. This part is being returned.
I found an OEM rear emblem at our local Corvette store and, like the front emblem, it was nicely finished, conformed to the shape of the surface and had adhesive over the entirety of its back as opposed to just the two flag areas on the knock off.
There was a price difference between the real GM emblems and the aftermarket one(s) but for me the OEM parts were worth the money.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Medford, Oregon
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Scottsdale AZ
I've posted this before, so apologies for the re-post . . . . but I wanted something more than a plastic emblem, so found these through the forum-- about $75 from ambakershut@yahoo.com
Last edited by CQRT; Aug 28, 2015 at 12:48 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: FLORIDA
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From: Arizona
Be careful with a heat gun that you don't scorch the more fragile paint surface.
I used a blow dryer set on high and ran it over the emblem for a few good minutes and it nearly peeled right off.
As you peel it up, blow the hot air in between the emblem and the vehicle surface keeping it hot.
Any final residue, GOO-GONE works well.
Good luck!
I used a blow dryer set on high and ran it over the emblem for a few good minutes and it nearly peeled right off.
As you peel it up, blow the hot air in between the emblem and the vehicle surface keeping it hot.
Any final residue, GOO-GONE works well.
Good luck!
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As Bill, E/T always says "I can't afford cheap".