[lazz]

The SL500 trunk lid badge on my car looks like it's oxidizing and could stand to be replaced w/ a new one.

My questions:

1. How do I remove the old badge w/o damaging the paint?

2. Where do I purchase a new one, preferably an OEM?

Thanks for the help.

(BTW. I thought about leaving the badge off completly but it is an SL500 and the world needs to know we have cool cars!)

 

[RedLiner]

When I bought my 3rd. brake light boot/trunk lid for my Euro '93 SL500, the emblems were all stripped off.

I bought the new SL500 letters and numbers from the local MB dealer, they weren't that expensive.

It was just a question of putting a level line across the boot lid, then peeling of the adhesive backing strip of each letter and number, an pressing them into place. You only get one chance, so a steady hand and a good eye are paramount.

If you need to remove the old SL decals, I would try very, very hot water or steam, that would soften the adhesive, but not damage the paintwork.

Any adhesive residue could be removed with an alcohol based liquid, but not solvents that would damage the paintwork.
Polish with a cutting compound, and you're done

 

[cec96sl500]

You can also use tooth floss to slip behind the numbers/letter back and forth like a little saw to get them out of the way. Then proceed as RedLiner states.

 

[mountie55]

Good adhesive removers are naphtha ( also known as lighter fluid) and W-D 40.

 

[lynns]

You can also use tooth floss to slip behind the numbers/letter back and forth like a little saw to get them out of the way. Then proceed as RedLiner states.

In addition I have used my wifes hair dryer to heat the emblems that have a double sided tack strip and the emblems come off very easy once you raise one corner. Be careful the paint can handle it but the fingers may not handle the heat.

 

[mlrb2113]

The SL500 trunk lid badge on my car looks like it's oxidizing and could stand to be replaced w/ a new one.

My questions:

1. How do I remove the old badge w/o damaging the paint?

2. Where do I purchase a new one, preferably an OEM?

Thanks for the help.

(BTW. I thought about leaving the badge off completly but it is an SL500 and the world needs to know we have cool cars!)

On another thread the guy (my apologies, but I never remember names) wanted to replace his 500SL badge with a SL500. It was a light gray car and when he got the 500SL off the 500SL was imprinted in a darker gray where the badge had been.
We finally determined that almost certainly the original badge was put on over the primer, probably coated in some sort of peel off wax, before the color coat was applied.
If they still did that with your model you just need to remove the adhesive with a solvent and the new one will be easy to put on.
If it's the original paint it can handle any reasonable solvent you can throw at it, like nail polish remover (acetone) or even MEK.

 

[mlrb2113]

If it's a 2001 and the badge is oxidizing, they really have cheapened them up to the last detail.

 

[edcarls]

f it's the original paint it can handle any reasonable solvent you can throw at it, like nail polish remover (acetone) or even MEK.

Be careful recommending using nail polish remover. Some brand of nail polish remover are as potent as auto paint stripper.

 

[mountie55]

Naphtha...... You can get it at paint stores or a hardware store. ( in pints).. Hot enough to soften the adhesive, but slow to evaporate, to dissolve, but not so hot to harm the paint.

 

[mlrb2113]

Be careful recommending using nail polish remover. Some brand of nail polish remover are as potent as auto paint stripper.

It will ruin any kind of lacquer and some plastics, so I don't like using it; but it's never hurt my paint.
I hope he tells us what was under the emblem.