If an emblem or badge keeps falling off your car, there are ways to attach it to make it stick again. The steps in this article and video review how to reattach a car emblem with soapy water, a cloth, adhesive remover, a plastic trim tool, measuring tape, double-sided tape, and painter’s tape.
Video: How to Reattach a Car Emblem
How to Reattach an Emblem to Your Car, Truck, or SUV
Why Did the Emblem Fall Off?
Emblems tend to fall of cars and trucks because of dirt and debris. Some emblems have been adhered with double-sided tape, and being exposed to the elements, it can lose strength over time.
Can I Put More Double-Sided Tape on the Emblem to Reattach It?
To reattach an emblem to your car, you will need to apply some double-sided tape, but there are more steps to take than putting tape on the emblem and sticking it back onto the car. Follow the steps below to learn how to put an emblem back on correctly so that it will stick.
Steps for Reattaching an Emblem to Your Car or Truck
Tools You May Need
- Cloth
- Soapy water
- Spray bottle
- Adhesive remover
- Heat gun or hair dryer
- Plastic trim removal tool
- Double-sided tape
- Painter’s tape
- Scissors
- Razor blade
- Measuring tape
- Adhesion promoter
How to reattach a car emblem
- Inspect and Remove Dirt and Debris from the Paint
Check the area for dirt and debris. If the paint is dirty, clean it with a cloth, soap and water, and then dry the surface with a dry cloth.
- Remove Any Residue from the Paint with Adhesive Remover
If the emblem left residue or double-sided tape on the paint, remove it with adhesive remover.
Do this by letting the adhesive soak in for a few hours, and then rub it off with a rag or scrape it off with a plastic trim removal tool. Some of the adhesive will remove easily. A heat gun or hair dryer can also loosen the adhesive, and you will just need to hover it over the residue and move it back and forth to loosen it up.
Tip: Do not use metal tools or scratch too hard to keep from scratching the paint. If using a heat gun or hair dryer, do not let the adhesive warm up too much or else it will melt the plastic trim tool.
- To Reattach an Old Emblem, Remove the Old Adhesive from It
If you’re reattaching an old emblem, remove the old adhesive from it with adhesive remover. You can scrape the adhesive off with a sharper object like a razor blade since it won’t be an issue if the back of the emblem is scratched.
- Prepare the New Emblem
Apply adhesion promoter or cleaning alcohol to the back of the emblem, and then apply it to the paint where the emblem will be attached. This will strengthen the double-sided tape and keep the emblem attached longer.
Cut out pieces of the double-sided tape and stick them to the back of the emblem
- To Align the New Emblem, Measure the Position of Another on the Vehicle
To line up the emblem, see if an emblem is on the opposite side and measure how far the letter is to the edge of the vehicle. For example, if the emblem is one inch from the end of the rear hatch, do this on the other end. Put painters tape on the paint to mark where the emblem will line up.
- Press the Emblem into Place
Remove the backing protector from the double-sided tape. Line up the emblem and press it on to the car. Remove the painters tape.
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