Whether Latin-American or not, almost anyone would agree that most cars look better with a nice shave, preferably Brazilian. Emblem and trim piece shaving is an old practice, dating back at least as far as the "streamline" factory customs of the 1930s and to the DIY "lead sleds" of the 1950s. This procedure is even easier now than it ever was, since most manufacturers use powerful adhesive to secure their emblems instead of the old-school hole-and-stud method. This means there's usually no welding, sanding, priming or painting required. With modern technology, there really is more than one way to shave a cat.
Look at the back side of your panel to determine if the badge is a stick-on or hole-and-stud. If you see metal poking through the back of your panel, then refer to the Tips section to get you started on removal. If the back of the panel is flat, proceed as indicated.
Spray the emblem and the area around it with specialized glue-removing solvent, and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Spray it again, wait again and then spray it once more. At this point, the glue on the outer badge edges should be soft enough to get started.
Heat the entire area with a hair drier set on high until the metal body is nearly too hot to touch, and give it another spray with glue remover.
Work the edge of your plastic scraper/spatula in between the metal panel and the emblem. The plastic spatulas sold for use with plastic body filler work well for this task. Wiggle the spatula back and forth under the emblem, keeping it thoroughly lubricated with solvent at all times. Keep wiggling with gentle forward pressure until the emblem starts to lift, and then pull it off. You can also use dental floss or fishing line in lieu of the spatula if you wish.
Clean any remaining adhesive or rubber tape from your car body with the plastic spatula, glue remover and hair drier. Keep the area hot for the easiest removal. Wipe the area down with a lint-free rag and more solvent to rid it of any residual adhesive. Wash the area with soap and water.
Apply some polish to the area and rub it in gently with a lint-free rag. Allow the polish to dry and buff away with a clean rag.
