AHHH, thanks c2vette. That is about what I am looking to acheive there. The painting from the back will protect the paint better and I can keep my flame decal on the front.
Looks like my mod to work on for this week.

 

If you use heat, be very careful not to apply too much. It is very easy to overheat and "crinkle" the clear plastic. Suggest a hair dryer carefully applied, not a heatgun. once it is warm you should be able to slowly work a knife between the bowtie and the backing.

 

excuse my greenness, but what kind of paint do you use for these mods? would the same work for the grille or luggage racks on top of the car?

 

Its just regular foil, the badge is actually the only thing gold. Mine came apart was I was using a running hose, with 1-2psi and all he foil went everywhere. Now I have an ugly looking tail badge but oh well.

 

How are the bow ties attached to the front and back?

 

Thats was my next question, is it adhesive or a fastener.

 

Well, I took my back one off first since that is the one that is bubbling. The front is fine. I now see why the back ones go to crap faster then the front. The back bowtie just sits flush against the trim piece. The front is a bit recessed into the grille so water can't penetrate behind it.
Now, I used my method of removing the bowtie. Good old fishing line and "sawed" it back and forth.
Here is how it is attached:
It is "painted" with a "silver foil" material. It is then hot glued in places and has 2 small pieces of 3m type tape on each side. The combonation of hot glue, which isn't applied evenly, the 2 pieces of tape on the sides and the fact that is sits flush is what allows water to penetrate from the top.
Painting the backside of the bowtie gold or silver (if you like the gold color) and completely covering the emblem im 3M tape to reapply should keep it looking new for a long time.
Since my front is fine and the gold doen't bother me I am going to just repaint the back one and reapply correctly.

 

Could go the vynal way. A buddy of mine vynalled over mine. Took him about an hour to do both but they look good and the original gold badge is still under there. All you need is the correct color you want, put it over the emblem and trim around while pushing, rubbing, tucking, etc...

 

Aren't there any vendors that will provide the entire bowtie already painted in your choice of color?

 

No but there are a few vynal guys that will sell you the overlays...