I've had my Maxima for about a year and a half and I just might want to de-badge it. But has it been too late for that? Or should I just be extra careful? I don't wanna ruin my paint!

 

I think it will depend on the color. The lighter colors I would think will be fine.
I would just remove one letter first and see what it looks like underneath. You can always put it back.

 

I have Super Black of course!
If I do need to put it back on, what do I use?

 

i had it for about a year and a half too and i recently debadge my White max just try to do it correctly and then in the end use goof off or something to clean the area when you are done debadging

 

Sweet thanks! May I ask what was your method of de-badging?

 

It's never too late lol.

 

should be fine, only after a few years would i be worried about paint fading and it not matching

just use fishing line and gently rub it inbetween the trunk and the badge and saw up and down and it will come off, then use goo-gone to get the remaining glue off and afterwards you can buff and wax the area. if you want the badge back on for some reason, use 3M doublesided outdoor tape

 

Waited 15 years to debadge mine. Paint is same color really under it, the only problem I have is super glue from when a dealer reattached the emblems years ago. That will not come off without removing paint.

 

I used hair dryer and floss try to double layer the floss because it will prob snap on you. and make sure u have goo gone/goof off or anything to clean up in the end. youtube it how to debadge a car =)

 

Thanks guys! I'll probably de-badge mine next time I detail my car.

 

I wouldnt worry too much at all. I just debadged my max after having owned it for 13 years and i can see a change in color but its very subtle and you have to look at the right angle.

 

x2

just take your time, especially cuz its black, the warmer it is the easier it will be. I've done this many times and always use Acrosol to soften the glue left behind on the paint..never tried goo-gone but I'm assuming it works pretty much the same. after that just give it a coat of wax

 

As for a heat source, a hair dryer should be fine?

 

a hair dryer should be fine..i used a fishing line and a hair dryer to remove mine..then I used an orbital with some wax afterwards cause i could still see the imprints of the emblems when i removed them..

 

ya hair dryer or heat gun, if using a heat gun just be careful not to cook it too long I did mine a few days ago. I use very thin wire attached to 2 small wrenches and always pull away from the paint once the wire is behind the letters/emblem.

 

I did a write-up on my web site, with pictures:

http://www.road-reality.com/2010/08/...nissan-maxima/

As for the discoloring of the paint ... try one letter, as suggested above, but you should be fine. A good wax ought to help too.

 

Why Debadge it at all?

 

Takes out the uneveness from the rear-end of the car!

 

why do anything to a car?

 

I used a hair dryer and fishing line to get the letters off. I used some bug and tar remover and a debit card to scrape off the remaining residue, although any goo gone type product with work. You might get a few hairline scratches if you are too rough, but a little polish and wax will fill those in no problem.