How to safely remove emblems? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jumpsoffrock · 06-10-2022, 08:20 PM

I am going to be prepping and painting my '72 GMC sometime this summer and want to know how I can remove the emblems on the hood and fenders, it looks near impossible. Are they generally savable? Or is it generally a lost cause?

Thank you.

**68bowtie** · 06-10-2022, 08:49 PM

Most have studs with little 3/8” speed nuts on the back. Usually you can take off the nuts and gently pry the emblem off with a thin screwdriver from the outside. The ones on the fenders are very difficult (if not impossible) to remove with the fenders on the truck.

**truckster** · 06-10-2022, 11:54 PM

They can definitely be saved. They're metal, and as mentioned, they are bolted on. You just need to get to the back side of them to remove them.

sick472 · 06-11-2022, 09:49 AM

The trouble I have run into is that the stud will often break off when trying to unscrew the speed nut. There's not much you can do about it except go slow and if it resists, work it back and forth (clockwise - counterclockwise a bit at a time, repeat) to loosen up the crud and corrosion and hope it eventually spins off.

I suggest using a 1/4" ratchet & 6-point socket on them. And, for the suborn ones...some dishwashing liquid as a lubricant. WD can be used, but oils may give you fits when it's time to paint. The soap will wash off much easier than oils.

jumpsoffrock · 06-11-2022, 12:32 PM

Ok, it sounds like its gonna be hit or miss. I was also worried about the lubricant sticking around for the paint party....
Thanks ya'll.

sick472 · 06-11-2022, 03:04 PM

My 72 was pretty rusty when I purchased it and probably never garaged by the looks of it. I was able to get all the emblems off but one of the rectangular "8 350" emblems. That one broke a stud. It was the one that lived by the battery on the front fender. I think you'll do fine, but there's only one way to find out...good luck.

68Gold/white · 06-11-2022, 05:26 PM

WD-40 eventually evaporates, doesn't take very long. Use it, without doubt. Go slow as others advise.

Peanut74 · 06-11-2022, 05:54 PM

As others have take your time and work the nuts off slowly. 1/4" drive and six point deep socket works best. Clean off the studs the best you can. Work the nut on and off slowly and they will come off. Use soap where required. Got all my emblems off with no major issues. Patience is the key.

1967-C10 · 06-14-2022, 11:28 AM

work the nuts off, the same as tapping a hole,
a little forward, and little back, slowly turning the nut off.

06-10-2022, 08:20 PM	#1
jumpsoffrock Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California Posts: 923	How to safely remove emblems? I am going to be prepping and painting my '72 GMC sometime this summer and want to know how I can remove the emblems on the hood and fenders, it looks near impossible. Are they generally savable? Or is it generally a lost cause? Thank you.

06-10-2022, 08:49 PM	#2
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,366	Re: How to safely remove emblems? Most have studs with little 3/8” speed nuts on the back. Usually you can take off the nuts and gently pry the emblem off with a thin screwdriver from the outside. The ones on the fenders are very difficult (if not impossible) to remove with the fenders on the truck. __________________ I live in California, but identify as a Texan "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh)

06-10-2022, 11:54 PM	#3
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,803	Re: How to safely remove emblems? They can definitely be saved. They're metal, and as mentioned, they are bolted on. You just need to get to the back side of them to remove them. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

06-11-2022, 09:49 AM	#4
sick472 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sedalia Mo. Posts: 1,130	Re: How to safely remove emblems? The trouble I have run into is that the stud will often break off when trying to unscrew the speed nut. There's not much you can do about it except go slow and if it resists, work it back and forth (clockwise - counterclockwise a bit at a time, repeat) to loosen up the crud and corrosion and hope it eventually spins off. I suggest using a 1/4" ratchet & 6-point socket on them. And, for the suborn ones...some dishwashing liquid as a lubricant. WD can be used, but oils may give you fits when it's time to paint. The soap will wash off much easier than oils. __________________ He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1 1972 C10 1976 C10 (parts truck) 1985 K20

06-11-2022, 12:32 PM	#5
jumpsoffrock Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California Posts: 923	Re: How to safely remove emblems? Ok, it sounds like its gonna be hit or miss. I was also worried about the lubricant sticking around for the paint party.... Thanks ya'll.

06-11-2022, 03:04 PM	#6
sick472 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sedalia Mo. Posts: 1,130	Re: How to safely remove emblems? My 72 was pretty rusty when I purchased it and probably never garaged by the looks of it. I was able to get all the emblems off but one of the rectangular "8 350" emblems. That one broke a stud. It was the one that lived by the battery on the front fender. I think you'll do fine, but there's only one way to find out...good luck. __________________ He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1 1972 C10 1976 C10 (parts truck) 1985 K20

06-11-2022, 05:26 PM	#7
68Gold/white Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ark City, Kansas Posts: 3,280	Re: How to safely remove emblems? WD-40 eventually evaporates, doesn't take very long. Use it, without doubt. Go slow as others advise.

06-11-2022, 05:54 PM	#8
Peanut74 Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Prattville, AL Posts: 590	Re: How to safely remove emblems? As others have take your time and work the nuts off slowly. 1/4" drive and six point deep socket works best. Clean off the studs the best you can. Work the nut on and off slowly and they will come off. Use soap where required. Got all my emblems off with no major issues. Patience is the key. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------- 1967 C10 "Snowball" (Currently in a million pieces down from a bazillion) 1989 Toyota DLX pickup "The Hulk" 2012 Jeep JKU "Crush" 1976 Chevy short bed with a 327 and 3 on the tree (Sold it to buy the Blazer) 1971 Chevy Blazer (Sold it)

06-14-2022, 11:28 AM	#9
1967-C10 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Round Rock Texas Posts: 104	Re: How to safely remove emblems? work the nuts off, the same as tapping a hole, a little forward, and little back, slowly turning the nut off.



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