Step By Step Process To Remove Tesla Emblem!
Last updated on September 12th, 2023 at 03:04 am
Tesla cars are remarkable for several reasons: you can easily customize your Tesla to suit your tastes.
If you don’t like your Tesla emblem, you can remove it and replace it with an emblem you like or leave the spot empty.
First, steam the logo to loosen it up, then work it from side to side with a fish line until it comes off. Finally, place a 3M good eraser on a drill and work it over the area and clean the area with rubbing alcohol.
Removing the logo on your Tesla is a simple process, but if you’re not careful, you can damage your car’s paintwork or overheat the logo. With this how-to guide, you’ll do a clean job.
Steps to Safely Remove Tesla Emblem
Before starting the removal process, ensure a clean, uncluttered work area and all the necessary tools.
To remove the Tesla emblem, you’ll need the following;
- Steamer or heat gun
- Fishline
- Drill
- 3M Eraser (drill attachment)
- Alcohol
When you have all your tools in place, follow the steps below to remove the emblem.
- Steam the logo or heat it to loosen up the goo. The logo is plastic, so do not overheat it. Overheating the logo will melt it onto the car, so keep the gun six inches above the logo.
- Work the logo from side to side from underneath with a fish hook.
- Place a 3M goo eraser on a drill and work it over the area gently and slowly; use the side of the eraser and not the face.
- When you’ve removed all the goo, clean up the area with an alcohol solution.
How to Black Out Badges on a Tesla?
You can remove and reinstall the emblem on your Tesla or customize it to another color without taking it out or ruining it.
You can use the plastic dip to black out the badges. Plasti dip is a non-permanent rubber coating that can last for about three years if you install it properly and take good care of it.
Using plasti dip to coat an item will protect it against acids, moisture, corrosion, and abrasion. And you can peel it off if you no longer want it.
So plasti dip is removable, and it won’t damage your chrome. However, if you use plasti dip, don’t take your car to the cat wash, and don’t spray water directly onto the plasti dip.
If you don’t like the original color and you want to black it, it’s easy.
You’ll need the following tools to black out your Tesla badges or emblems:
- One can of plasti dip.
- Masking/frog/painters tape
- Paper (you can use old newspapers or regular paper)
- Alcohol- 4 parts water and 1 part 70% alcohol
- Microfiber
Once all your items are ready, you can begin the installation. Ensure you install it in your garage to avoid wind, humidity, and direct sunlight.
- Clean the emblem thoroughly with rubbing alcohol.
- Then, wrap a cotton swab in microfiber and use it to get to all the edges; if there is any liquid or dirt on the emblem, the plasti dip won’t take.
- Tape about one inch or two around the Tesla emblem.
- Tape some newspaper or any other paper around the tape. The newspaper should cover at least two feet from the emblem, so there is no overspray.
- Shake the plasti dip can thoroughly for 1 min before spraying, and shake the can thoroughly between sprays. It’ll be best to test spray mildly on paper to ensure it is even.
- Place the can six inches from the Tesla logo and head-on, spray from side to side, and overlap the strokes slightly so it’s even. Wait for 10-13 minutes.
- Then spray it from its top angle and wait for at least 10 minutes; spray from the button angle and wait for 10 minutes.
- Next, spray from the side angle and wait at least 10 minutes. Finally, spray from the other side and wait at least 10 minutes.
- Spray it head-on a final time and wait for half an hour, allowing it to dry.
- Remove the newspapers, the tape, and the excess plasti dip.
- Start peeling away from your Tesla emblem so that it cuts at its base.
- Pick at the crevices with a toothpick or any other sharp objects. But don’t use an object that will scratch the car’s paint.
- Only drive or wash your car for at least 4 hours after you’ve blacked out the emblem.
Should You Remove the Tesla Emblem?
Often, car owners don’t like the color of the emblem on their cars, or a vehicle can arrive with the wrong logo.
As a result, many people try to change or remove the emblems on their cars after purchase.
While that is easy, it can be concerning because Tesla uses soft paint on their cars.
So drivers are concerned that removing the emblem will scratch the car, damage it, or reduce the resale value.
Whichever it is, you can remove the emblem on your Tesla. If you don’t like the color of the emblem or it is wrong, you should take it off. You can replace it or leave it empty.
Since it’s easy to reinstall the emblem, you can remove it and put it back in place at the time of sale if you’re worried about the resale value.
However, always use soft objects like plastic knives and a mold solvent to remove the glue residue from the car. Using a metal can damage the paintwork and reduce the resale value.
You should also know that the Tesla warranty does not cover the cost of damage done to the car while removing or reinstalling the emblem.
Can You Reinstall Tesla Emblem After Removal?
You can always reinstall your Tesla emblem after you’ve removed it. You can use a 3D-printed bracket to install the Tesla emblem on your car.
For installation, you’ll need the following;
- Razor blade or another sharp blade
- Alcohol
- Microfiber
- 3D printed bracket
- Template vinyl logo
- Press in place 3M adhesive
- Masking/frog/painters tape
To install the Tesla emblem, follow the steps below:
- Clean the area thoroughly with an alcohol solution.
- Open the Tesla trunk.
- Align the 3D printer bracket with the tape and the latch, so everything is in place.
- Place an item underneath the latch. Otherwise, it will try to close, and the bracket will get in the way.
- When the latch and bracket are on the bumper, take your razor blade, template logo, and adhesives to a flat surface. (Instead of regular adhesive, you can use a 3M press in place)
- Use the razor blade or any sharp blade to scrape off the leftover glue from both pieces of the emblem and wipe off any residue with rubbing alcohol.
- Take a portion of the adhesive, stick your T, and press down.
- When you remove the T, the adhesive should come away with it. Move it about and hold all the sides. Repeat this with the thin piece.
- Push the glue back to achieve clean edges.
- Take off the backing paper from the template vinyl logo. Next, place your logo on the template logo. The adhesive sides must go up. However, this step is optional.
- Next, take the logo back to the bumper, fit it into the bracket, and press firmly.
- Remove the bracket from the bumper carefully.
- When you’re done, wait to wash your area or pour water on it for at least 24 hours.
If you don’t like the color of your Tesla emblem, there are several ways you can get the color you like. You can remove the emblem, install a new one, or use plasti dip.
However, each of these has its disadvantages and advantages:
Pros of Plasti Dip | Cons of Plasti Dip | Pros of Reinstallation | Cons of Reinstallation |
---|---|---|---|
It’s easy to apply | You can inadvertently spray your Tesla | You can choose any color you prefer | It’s a long, tedious process |
You can remove it at any time | You will have to hand-wash your car always | It does not cost much | It reduces the resale value |
It’s inexpensive | It only lasts for three years | You could damage your Tesla paint. |
Hey, I’m Michael Davis, a 35-year-old with a degree and a love for cars and tech. Since I was a kid, cars have been my thing—so much that I even thought they ran on magic beans! Fast forward, and I’ve built Vehicle Army, your one-stop-shop for easy-to-understand car facts.