Fender Emblems
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 205
Likes: 3
From: West Vancouver BC Canada
Fender Emblems
All: Need some advice on removing the plastic "Twin I Beam" insert from the centre of the chrome Ford 250 emblem on the front fenders. Mine need replacing as all the red and most of the lettering has evaporated. How do I remove the plastic insert from under the lugs holding it in place, without having to lean on (and break) the plastic to straighten/loosen the lugs? Any advice welcomed Jeff
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 129
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There are three studs on the back of the chrome molding, two on the top corners and one on the bottom center. The studs fit into small cap nuts that fit into holes in the fender. Spray a little PB Blaster into the backs of each stud. Let it sit for a few minutes. Gently tap the chrome molding to work the PB Blaster in. Be patient and take your time using a thin, but stiff blade putty knife or broad tip screwdriver slowly prying each stud loose. Be sure to protect your paint when prying and keep a rag handy to wipe off excess PB Blaster. Once you remove the chrome moldings, the inserts can be easily removed. Replacement inserts are available from this site. Do not rush this or you will break the studs off.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 2
From: Parkville, MO (KC)
"the inserts can be easily removed"
Hmmm. I think that was what he was asking about.
Do you have replacements already, or were you planing on trying to repaint them? Replacements can be had. DC maybe even here has em'. I got a set for my F100, but my body guy showed me a really amazing trick. He used 600 grit sandpaper, then 1200 and removed the haze from the outside. Amazing how much better they looked. Then he sprayed some new red on the back and they look fine.
I *think* you can just flex the plastic CAREFULLY and pop them out of the potmetal frame. But I was not there when my guys did that, so I am not perfect authority. If you have replacements, then its not so bad if they bust. If no replacements can be had, I would try a dremel with a small stone and grind the little nibs off the pot metal to free up the inserts, rather than trying to flex them and risk breaking.
Hmmm. I think that was what he was asking about.
Do you have replacements already, or were you planing on trying to repaint them? Replacements can be had. DC maybe even here has em'. I got a set for my F100, but my body guy showed me a really amazing trick. He used 600 grit sandpaper, then 1200 and removed the haze from the outside. Amazing how much better they looked. Then he sprayed some new red on the back and they look fine.
I *think* you can just flex the plastic CAREFULLY and pop them out of the potmetal frame. But I was not there when my guys did that, so I am not perfect authority. If you have replacements, then its not so bad if they bust. If no replacements can be had, I would try a dremel with a small stone and grind the little nibs off the pot metal to free up the inserts, rather than trying to flex them and risk breaking.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 3
From: Elizabethtown, PA
I'm a BTDT.
If you can buy new ones, buy all means get 'em. They are being repro'd by Carpenter for most of the models. They are not expensive, and therefore not worth the time screwing around with old ones.
I had zero success in getting the plastic out of the metal emblem without breaking either the plastic or the pot metal tabs. Since you need to install new plastic emblems, break the tabs, as you can't get the new ones in there otherwise.
With your chrome emblem suitably 'ruined'
you can now send it out for rechroming (if you have the unavailable 1965 version). 
To install the plastic into the butchered chrome emblem, get out your old friend JB Weld. Lay the insert in the chrome housing and apply the mixture to several spots around the perimeter, making little 'weld' beads. Allow to dry sufficiently per the instructions before reinstalling on the truck.
I used this method and it holds them in quite firmly. I just don't recommend scrubbing them hard when you wash the truck...the JB Weld should hold no problem but I'm not going to push my luck.
If you can buy new ones, buy all means get 'em. They are being repro'd by Carpenter for most of the models. They are not expensive, and therefore not worth the time screwing around with old ones.
I had zero success in getting the plastic out of the metal emblem without breaking either the plastic or the pot metal tabs. Since you need to install new plastic emblems, break the tabs, as you can't get the new ones in there otherwise.
With your chrome emblem suitably 'ruined'
you can now send it out for rechroming (if you have the unavailable 1965 version). To install the plastic into the butchered chrome emblem, get out your old friend JB Weld. Lay the insert in the chrome housing and apply the mixture to several spots around the perimeter, making little 'weld' beads. Allow to dry sufficiently per the instructions before reinstalling on the truck.
I used this method and it holds them in quite firmly. I just don't recommend scrubbing them hard when you wash the truck...the JB Weld should hold no problem but I'm not going to push my luck.
