Anyone had experience removing rear bumper appliqué?

NJPriusA · 01-01-2008, 09:42 PM

Although we are delighted to learn that the 2008 Prius we have been waiting for is supposed to arrive at our dealer soon, we have just learned that someone at the port of entry stuck a Rear Bumper Applique (option EF) on the car - something we never wanted and never ordered. (It’s the clear plastic one, not the heavier black one.)
We want the appliqué removed and are hoping that there may be forum members who can tell us if there is a safe way to remove it without damaging the paint. If anyone has had experience removing this appliqué, whether you did it yourself or had your dealership do it for you, we would very much appreciate knowing whether you are satisfied with the results.
We’re waiting to hear whether our dealership has ever removed these appliqués, but we trust forum members to give us the best advice on whether this actually can be done successfully.
Thanks for any thoughts you can send our way.

bestmapman · 01-01-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJPriusA

Although we are delighted to learn that the 2008 Prius we have been waiting for is supposed to arrive at our dealer soon, we have just learned that someone at the port of entry stuck a Rear Bumper Applique (option EF) on the car - something we never wanted and never ordered. (It’s the clear plastic one, not the heavier black one.)
We want the appliqué removed and are hoping that there may be forum members who can tell us if there is a safe way to remove it without damaging the paint. If anyone has had experience removing this appliqué, whether you did it yourself or had your dealership do it for you, we would very much appreciate knowing whether you are satisfied with the results.
We’re waiting to hear whether our dealership has ever removed these appliqués, but we trust forum members to give us the best advice on whether this actually can be done successfully.
Thanks for any thoughts you can send our way.

Mine came with one also. Why do you want to remove it. I figure it is easier to leave it then to try to remove it.

NJPriusA · 01-01-2008, 10:04 PM

We just usually don't go with cars that have decals, pinstripes, etc., which is why we were frustrated to find out we got this particular unrequested "accessory." We're just hoping to restore the car to the way we wanted it in the first place. It's definitely a personal thing. So although you can't answer our original question, have you found any practical use for it? Is it holding up? And it may turn out that removing it and resealing and rewaxing isn't a viable option - which is what we're hoping forum members can help us figure out.

bestmapman · 01-01-2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJPriusA

We just usually don't go with cars that have decals, pinstripes, etc., which is why we were frustrated to find out we got this particular unrequested "accessory." We're just hoping to restore the car to the way we wanted it in the first place. It's definitely a personal thing. So although you can't answer our original question, have you found any practical use for it? Is it holding up? And it may turn out that removing it and resealing and rewaxing isn't a viable option - which is what we're hoping forum members can help us figure out.

You really can't see it unless you look right at it. It sits ontop of the bumper. I just went and looked at it. You can see the word Prius in it, I had not noticed that before. It has been on the car since March. It appears to be completely attached and not coming up anywhere.

I hope it comes off clean for you.

cyberstout · 01-01-2008, 10:35 PM

Our new 2008 came with the Rear Bumper Applique too. The car is magnetic Grey. You can barely see the applique. It might be more obvious on a different color car.
I feel the same about decals, pinstripes, etc. We didn't want the dealer to put any of their own dealership stickers or decals (advertisements) on the car either. But the bumper applique really isn't bad at all. Why don't you wait to see it before deciding.

sl7vk · 01-02-2008, 12:42 AM

Sorry, posted in wrong thread. Mod feel free to delete post.

boulder_bum · 01-02-2008, 03:52 AM

I almost paid $100 or whatever to ADD the appliqué.

It's not really cosmetic, it's to protect the rear bumper from scratches and scrapes when you're moving items in and out of the trunk.

If I were you, I'd keep it and thank my lucky stars that I got it for free.

tbirdhs · 01-02-2008, 05:44 AM

I have never had one in my hand, but being in the auto body business for 40 years I have worked with similar materials. You may have to wait till summer, or put it in a heated garage. Then with a Hair Dryer warm up an edge area and get your finger under and start pealing back, DO NOT pull up at a 90 degree to the surface, pull it back over its self. Keep slowly warming and pulling back. Be carefull not to get the paint to hot, it could dis-color or peel. The bumpers are painted in a different process than the body and does not adhere as well. Personally I would just leave it.

JimboK · 01-02-2008, 07:46 AM

I agree with the others that it's a good thing to have. My car didn't come with it but I put one on shortly after buying it. I've carried a lot of stuff in the hatchback, and the appliqué has done its job protecting the top of the rear bumper from things I've dropped on it or dragged across it.

Rangerdavid · 01-02-2008, 07:57 AM

I agree with Jim, mine didn't come with one either, but I got one for Christmas and its in the closet waiting for the snow to stop so I can install it. Meanwhile, I have a couple of nasty scratches on the bumper that I could have avoided if the car had come with one installed.

It's a very good protective feature. Sorry, but I too have no idea how to remove it.

01-01-2008, 09:42 PM	#1
NJPriusA Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 12 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Anyone had experience removing rear bumper appliqué? Although we are delighted to learn that the 2008 Prius we have been waiting for is supposed to arrive at our dealer soon, we have just learned that someone at the port of entry stuck a Rear Bumper Applique (option EF) on the car - something we never wanted and never ordered. (It’s the clear plastic one, not the heavier black one.) We want the appliqué removed and are hoping that there may be forum members who can tell us if there is a safe way to remove it without damaging the paint. If anyone has had experience removing this appliqué, whether you did it yourself or had your dealership do it for you, we would very much appreciate knowing whether you are satisfied with the results. We’re waiting to hear whether our dealership has ever removed these appliqués, but we trust forum members to give us the best advice on whether this actually can be done successfully. Thanks for any thoughts you can send our way.

01-01-2008, 10:04 PM	#3
NJPriusA Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 12 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Anyone had experience removing rear bumper appliqué? We just usually don't go with cars that have decals, pinstripes, etc., which is why we were frustrated to find out we got this particular unrequested "accessory." We're just hoping to restore the car to the way we wanted it in the first place. It's definitely a personal thing. So although you can't answer our original question, have you found any practical use for it? Is it holding up? And it may turn out that removing it and resealing and rewaxing isn't a viable option - which is what we're hoping forum members can help us figure out.

01-01-2008, 10:35 PM	#5
cyberstout Alan & Margarete Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Paltz, NY Posts: 14 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Anyone had experience removing rear bumper appliqué? Our new 2008 came with the Rear Bumper Applique too. The car is magnetic Grey. You can barely see the applique. It might be more obvious on a different color car. I feel the same about decals, pinstripes, etc. We didn't want the dealer to put any of their own dealership stickers or decals (advertisements) on the car either. But the bumper applique really isn't bad at all. Why don't you wait to see it before deciding.

01-02-2008, 12:42 AM	#6
sl7vk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 362 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Anyone had experience removing rear bumper appliqué? Sorry, posted in wrong thread. Mod feel free to delete post. Last edited by sl7vk; 01-02-2008 at 12:47 AM.

01-02-2008, 03:52 AM	#7
boulder_bum Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Castle Rock, CO Posts: 1,120 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Re: Anyone had experience removing rear bumper appliqué? I almost paid $100 or whatever to ADD the appliqué. It's not really cosmetic, it's to protect the rear bumper from scratches and scrapes when you're moving items in and out of the trunk. If I were you, I'd keep it and thank my lucky stars that I got it for free.

01-02-2008, 05:44 AM	#8
tbirdhs Tbirdhs Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: River Edge. NJ Posts: 67 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Anyone had experience removing rear bumper appliqué? I have never had one in my hand, but being in the auto body business for 40 years I have worked with similar materials. You may have to wait till summer, or put it in a heated garage. Then with a Hair Dryer warm up an edge area and get your finger under and start pealing back, DO NOT pull up at a 90 degree to the surface, pull it back over its self. Keep slowly warming and pulling back. Be carefull not to get the paint to hot, it could dis-color or peel. The bumpers are painted in a different process than the body and does not adhere as well. Personally I would just leave it. __________________ 57 Tbird, 03 Tbird

01-02-2008, 07:46 AM	#9
JimboK One owner, low mileage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 1,990 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	Re: Anyone had experience removing rear bumper appliqué? I agree with the others that it's a good thing to have. My car didn't come with it but I put one on shortly after buying it. I've carried a lot of stuff in the hatchback, and the appliqué has done its job protecting the top of the rear bumper from things I've dropped on it or dragged across it.

01-02-2008, 07:57 AM	#10
Rangerdavid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boone, North Carolina Posts: 1,066 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Re: Anyone had experience removing rear bumper appliqué? I agree with Jim, mine didn't come with one either, but I got one for Christmas and its in the closet waiting for the snow to stop so I can install it. Meanwhile, I have a couple of nasty scratches on the bumper that I could have avoided if the car had come with one installed. It's a very good protective feature. Sorry, but I too have no idea how to remove it.