...
Help me remove rear bumper inserts
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
Help me remove rear bumper inserts
My car's previous owner installed these tacky polished stainless steel (I assume they are) bumper inserts, and they look like garbage. I refuse to drive a car that looks like it crashed into the cheap chrome garbage aisle at Vato Zone.
My previous C5Z had black vinyl inserts that I was able to peel off easily. These stainless ones look a little trickier. Obviously, I want to remove these turds without scratching the finish. What do you guys think? Hair dryer or heat gun? Maybe dribble some Goo-Gone behind each letter? Anyone tackle this before?
My previous C5Z had black vinyl inserts that I was able to peel off easily. These stainless ones look a little trickier. Obviously, I want to remove these turds without scratching the finish. What do you guys think? Hair dryer or heat gun? Maybe dribble some Goo-Gone behind each letter? Anyone tackle this before?
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,389
Likes: 24,796
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Use a hair dryer to soften the double sided tape and then use either a thin, hard plastic pry tool or a thin flat blade screwdriver to gently lift the letters off. A little WD-40 or the Goo Gone might help too.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
My thoughts as well, unless someone has a better idea. I appreciate the reply!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
...they do look like total Chitt
....just heat enough without melting the bumper and pull...heat and pull...heat and pull...if you heat then pry with your finger nails they will probably just lift off easily then you can use a little WD 40 to get the sticky off...
btw...it will be easier than removing BSMs...that would be your next step incase you even have them...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
In fact, I am actually removing the OEM Z06 fender emblems and OEM 2003 front and rear crossed flag emblems. The front nose crossed flag is being replaced with a black pre-'03 emblem with carbon fiber inserts.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
Thanks, guys. It will be tough to get fishing line in there, as these letters are pretty flush with the body. Hopefully, once heated up, I can gently pull the letters out a bit to thread in some line.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 234
From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
If you use something like a 20lb. test (fine) monofilament, it’ll be thin enough to get between the letters and bumper. If you can snake a loop around just one corner of a letter, you’ll be home free.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 355
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Once you remove them with heat - which is what I would do - do not be afraid to liberally spray WD-40 on the inserts to remove the residue like Vettman Jack recommended; I'd recommend it over Goo Gone. WD-40 does a pretty good job of penetrating any sticky residue on paint, and it will not damage anything. I would spray each one, let it sit for five minutes, and then with a spare shammy scrub at it. Finish up with your typical detail work.
WD does a pretty good job at removing surface scratches also. I had a tire carcass hit the front of my car and WD removed all the black marks. Sans a few clear coat scratches it looks like nothing ever happened.
WD does a pretty good job at removing surface scratches also. I had a tire carcass hit the front of my car and WD removed all the black marks. Sans a few clear coat scratches it looks like nothing ever happened.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
I have both WD-40 and Goo Gone in my arsenal. Also, per the detailing forum I belong to, everyone suggested using "Rapid Remover", which they claim is the best of the best. Ordered a small bottle from Amazon. Going to tackle this job next weekend when it warms up in Chicagoland. I will keep you guys posted and take pics of the surgery! LOL