Like many before me I noticed that the metal multi-coloured metal crests affixed to my wheel centre caps were coming away - the edges of the metal crests affixed to both rear wheel centre caps were separating from the plastic cap. My car is a 2019 992 and these are the original caps, not some dodgy knock-off!
Having removed the caps to take a closer look, it is evident that the caps themselves are slightly domed and it appeared the adhesive around the outer edges of the crests had given up. Rather than leave them in this state, I decided to remove the crests and re-affix. Anyone with the same issue might follow the same process.
I removed the crests using fishing line worked back and forth behind the crest in a flat plane - do not prise off the crests as you will bend them. This is the same technique as used when de-badging. I used 30lb backing line which is both fine and very strong but any fine nylon/poly thread will do the trick. The key is not to lift the crest and risk bending it.
Surprisingly, the metal crests were flat when removed despite being affixed to a slightly domed surface - I am now wondering if they have always been like this! The dome is subtle but it's there.
The crests were affixed to the caps using 4 small dabs of glue so it is little wonder they often fall off. Given the cap is slightly domed and the use of little spots of adhesive, it is little wonder the crests do not sit flush on the cap.
I cleaned off the dabs of glue using a plastic scraper and then cleaned using Isopropyl alcohol - the latter is generally good at removing sticky residues but does not remove paint!
I then used contact adhesive to re-affix the badges to the caps - good old Evo-stick.
Remembering that the crest is flat and the cap is domed, I used a clamp to press the centre of the crest onto the cap. The clamps apply just enough pressure to "flatten" the dome and create a flush contact between crest and cap. Obviously do not apply too much pressure as this would risk damaging the lugs that hold the caps onto the wheel.
Job done.
Having removed the caps to take a closer look, it is evident that the caps themselves are slightly domed and it appeared the adhesive around the outer edges of the crests had given up. Rather than leave them in this state, I decided to remove the crests and re-affix. Anyone with the same issue might follow the same process.
I removed the crests using fishing line worked back and forth behind the crest in a flat plane - do not prise off the crests as you will bend them. This is the same technique as used when de-badging. I used 30lb backing line which is both fine and very strong but any fine nylon/poly thread will do the trick. The key is not to lift the crest and risk bending it.
Surprisingly, the metal crests were flat when removed despite being affixed to a slightly domed surface - I am now wondering if they have always been like this! The dome is subtle but it's there.
The crests were affixed to the caps using 4 small dabs of glue so it is little wonder they often fall off. Given the cap is slightly domed and the use of little spots of adhesive, it is little wonder the crests do not sit flush on the cap.
I cleaned off the dabs of glue using a plastic scraper and then cleaned using Isopropyl alcohol - the latter is generally good at removing sticky residues but does not remove paint!
I then used contact adhesive to re-affix the badges to the caps - good old Evo-stick.
Remembering that the crest is flat and the cap is domed, I used a clamp to press the centre of the crest onto the cap. The clamps apply just enough pressure to "flatten" the dome and create a flush contact between crest and cap. Obviously do not apply too much pressure as this would risk damaging the lugs that hold the caps onto the wheel.
Job done.
