I don't even know if they are actually called badges, but whatever they are, I want to paint the Toyota symbol, and the 4Runner symbol, etc, black, or some variant of black. Currently they are gold on my green truck and I feel like I'm in The Great Gatsby or something. Has anybody done this before? I have an '01, and they appear to be attached with some kind of foam backing, so removing and reattaching seems a bit sketchy. let alone the actual painting process, which is probably quite simple. Any suggestions?

 

I think you can find replacements for them in black on Ebay(?)

 

Bob's write-up on what you are looking to do
http://www.4runners.org/articles/blackpearl/

 

getting the sticky goooff would be the most PITA but Bob's write up is more than enough for you. no need to spend 50bucks and extra 30bucks for the "4wd" badge from Toyota. buncha crooks they are.

 

SWEEEEEET!

Thanks guys...now I have a weekend project to sweat, curse and throw things at!

 

i followed Bob's write-up for the most part. best thing you can do is to find some self-etching primer or plastic paint prep. stuff. you can get some at autozone or wherever.

not sure how much you'll sweat, curse, or need to throw things, but hope it goes well! it's pretty easy to get the old adhesive off -- it'll mostly roll off (of the car) if you try to push/roll it off with the side of your thumb, and you can always rub some goo-gone on there to help soften the stuff and break it down. for the emblems themselves, just get a plastic cup or something, toss the emblems in, and fill it to above the emblems with goo-gone and let it sit for a few minutes or swirl it around some for awhile. then pull 'em out and use a rag to help roll off the old adhesive.

for new adhesive when you're ready to reattach the emblems, i recommend 3M Name Plate Adhesive Tape ... (for emblems specifically, and is much gentler on the paint than the glue-type).

good luck!

 

I have used testors model paints, for the primary color. But You gotta put a automotive grade primer down first, spray the testors color, then clear the crap out of it.

 

So I cannot find Testors anywhere in Boulder. Has anyone used anything else?

 

to get the emblems off, take a hair dryer and run it along the emblem for a couple minutes. then take some dental floss and run it behind the emblem.

itll slide right off.

 

Bump for anyone who can recommend another paint since the Testor recommended in Bob's howto doesn't seem to be available in Boulder...

 

No model paints avaiable at the local hobby store?

 

i used rustoleum industrial gloss black and some clear coat. stuff's stayed on strong and held up to some beatings.

 

Couldn't find the testors, so I used rustoleum metallic black, and the emblems look pretty damn good, I must say. I'm having a hard time finding the right tape to use to reapply them though. All I can find is 3M emblem GLUE, and no tape. I assume using glue is a bad idea? I want something that will last, but be removable like the original emblems were - with a heat gun.

I'm also curious to know how people have used tape to reattach the emblems without having it look like crap. Do you cut the tape to match the outline of each one? That sounds pretty tricky to me.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

maybe these will help you?
I found some at Wal-Mart, they also have them at Schuck's or any auto part stores

 

It's all done! I'll post pics as soon as I get my digital cam back from my buddy. I'm very, very satisfied with the way it turned out!

Now for some mods that will actually improve performance rather than the coolness factor....