How-To Acetone Your Emblems

A very inexpensive and popular modification to late model Ford trucks has been to remove the black paint from your emblems -- thus giving them a chrome look. This is done by simply taping off the emblem and removing the paint with acetone.

WARNING: Acetone is a very harsh chemical and can remove your paint's clear coat if contact is made. As such, it's recommended that you take care in this process--even going so far as to purchase new emblems to replace your existing ones.

With that being said (now you can't blame me for any damage done to your paint!) let's get started.

Emblems on 1999-2002 F-Series & Expeditions should work fine. Pre 1999 models have baked on paint, so the acetone may not work (some pre-1999 owners have reported success using acetone). I suggest you buy new emblems and acetone them before you put them on your truck. New emblems run around $17 each from your local Ford dealer.

The two photos above shows before and after emblems. You can probably find a lot of other examples by visiting the F-150 World Galleries. There are also a few topics on this subject in the forums. Compare the before and after photos, and see if this mod for you! You might want to take a look at these and ask any questions (and see more photos) before beginning:

Tips & Tricks: Acetone
Appearance: Acetoned Emblems - A New Idea
Appearance: Acetoned emblem
Appearance: New Side Emblems
Appearance: My New Accetoned Emblem
Appearance: Acetoning Emblems
Appearance: Acetoning question
There are others, please be sure to check out the Appearance forum.
Materials Required
Roll of masking tape
Acetone. This is available at any hardware store. (I have also been told that finger nail polish remover works). Acetone runs about $3 - $4 for a quart can (Wal-Mart).
Cotton balls
Q-Tips
A few paper towels

The Process

Begin by taping your emblem off. This will protect your clearcoat, and ensure you don't get black paint on your truck. Tape around the perimeter of your badge. Put one long piece on each side and use a piece of tape at each corner.

Now dip the Q-Tips or cotton balls or paper towels into the acetone. Rub against the background and it will come off easily.

If you want to retain the XLT or XL decals lightly wipe around the decal, the black paint comes off quickly leaving the emblem intact. If you rub too hard or use to much acetone the decal will be stripped away. Test another area of the emblem to get the feel of how the paint is removed.

I taped off the Triton V-8 because I wanted to keep it black. I also left the line between the F-150 and the Triton. I plan on painting the line to match Red Ryder. Finally, wash off the emblem with water. You may also want to wash entire quarter panel.

The entire process should take under an hour. For great pictures including some How-To shots of the Webmaster's Project Super Duty emblems, click here.

Lost your XLT sticker in the process? Now available in the F-150 World Store, you can buy reproduction XLT stickers. These are designed to match the size and color of your stock stickers.