Rear bumper applique - how hard to remove?

Is it the black rubber rear bumper guard, or is it the clear applique with the name PRIUS across it?

 

First time you slide something out of the trunk and scratch the bumper you will wish you had left it there.it don't take much to scratch the paint.

 

This is very true. Also i thought it was an added port option. If you really don't want it tell them you wont pay for it.

 

I bought my car sight unseen over the Internet. I wasn't sure what the rear bumper applique would look like, but it provides a very nice touch and isn't overly obstructive or cheesy.

It's a film so I'm sure it can be easily removed.

 

Hey, separate from whether you think keeping it is a good idea or not getting it to start with is a good idea does, can anyone answer the original question?

How hard IS it to remove one that is already in place?

I don't mean to sound sharp, but I'm curious because I just happened to have some bumper work done on my automobile, they repainted the bumper. I think it looks fine, but the bodyshop re-applied the bumper applique incorrectly...wrong position and crooked. So now they are saying they'll just order me another and put it on. Well my concern is removing the one they messed up.

So I am curious...how hard is it to remove those appliques and can it be done without damaging the bumper? Anyone know? Of course my bodyshop that screwed up is going to say they can do it...but has anyone removed one? Did it damage the bumper?

 

Use a heat gun and a soft plastic putty knife. The heat gun looks like a hair blow dryer on steroids and can be bought at any chain auto parts store for around $20.

Be careful with the heat gun. don't get too close to the paint or let it sit in one spot too long. hold it about 4" away from the body and move make and forth, evenly distributing the heat. If the body panel gets too hot to touch you're using too much heat.

After the entire applique is heated carefully start on one end with the plastic putty knife. Try and get a lip started, then gently pull and steadily pull the applique away from the body. It's best to keep things warm as you are pulling, so use the heat gun sparingly with one hand and pull with the other. Be gentle and take your time. You do not want to pull a quarter sized chip of paint off. Use the right amount of heat and take your time and you'll be fine.

Once the sticker or applique is removed use 3M adhesive remover to lift off all of the remaining glue. Use a soft cloth and the plastic putty knife to scrape the adhesive. Again, take your time and get all the adhesive off. It will probably take three or four times to get it all.

Once all of the adhesive is removed wash the panel with soap and water, let dry and apply a good auto wax to the surface.

 

If you don't want to buy the 3M gum remover, you may try to spray some WD40 on the gum residue, wait 30 second and wipe it off. You may have to do it multiple times. Bug remover also works wonder on it too. Both doesn't damage the paint surface. Buy a can of the 3M stuff is the perfect tool but you may never use it again in the next few months or years. The WD40 or bug remover are your "multi-purpose" choices.

 

My solution was to cover it up with the black bumper protector that actually offers some protection for the bumper.

 

Applique story here on my '10.

Only Port-installed option was the Applique (the clear one). Went to pick up my new car last June and walking up to it - saw the black bumper guard. Raised the issue with the Sales rep and a couple Service guys ripped it right off - cleanly with no marks at all. Mind you the thing was installed only days prior. They'd order me a new - correct - one.

Came in a couple weeks later and into the dealer to get it installed. An hour later the Service Writer told me it was complete. Walked up to it - wrong one - It may have been Toyota but covered almost the entire top bumper and had stenciled dashes on it. They ripped it off - only minutes after install. Ordered the right one.

Came in a couple weeks later - I checked it before install. An hour later a frustrated Service guy came to bring me to the shop. It WAS installed but slightly askew and full of tiny bubbles. Ripped that one off. Yet another ordered and the Service Manager said when it comes in he'll have a Body Shop guy install it.

Couple weeks later; done. It's a nice addition, but worth the trouble I ran into? Perhaps - it does protect the loading area and looks pretty nice for the price. Very subtle lettering on Red color...

But I'd have to believe after install and a baking in the sun after a couple months, these appliques' become brittle and tough to remove.

 

I bought it on eBay from Metro Toyota $30 + shipping. Installed it myself in about 2 minutes. Looks great.

 

Yeah, same here.

 

Just picked up my new III today and I opted to have them put one of these on. I did a scratch test and yeah, they show marks, but I think it's a pretty unobtrusive way to protect the bumper. There's another one available that says something about the hybrid power instead of "Prius" but the dealer said he wouldn't sell it to me even if I asked because he thinks it's ridiculous. Hmm.

 

I've had (2) 2010s. First one had the "applique" which (IMHO) is a joke - you really need a protector for the "applique" protector. It scratched in weeks, and kept scratching (even with care).

New car, I refused the thing, and bought a Toyota "black" hard plstic thing (Ebay - around $30). It was simple (3 minutes max) to install, and now I don't have to worry about protecting the Applique - which to me is a joke...

 

Same thing I did. The appliqué did not provide much protection. I purchased additional 3M double sided tape, which I applied heavily before attaching it. I really thought the double sided tape included on the bumper protector was completely inadequate to survive weather and car washes.