Volkswagen Repair: Replacing VW Beetle Hood emblem, room temperature vulcanizing, purpose cement

Question
QUESTION: We purchased a new hood emblem for our daughter's '98 VW beetle and it did not come with instructions on how to remove the old one and put on the new one.
Can you help?

ANSWER: Hi there Tami;
None of the emblems come with instructions anymore, so we are left to guess, or just do the best we can.  If your new emblem has no "spikes" sticking out the back for nuts to hold the emblem in place, the way we hold them in place is with glue.  I would recommend an all purpose cement like the stuff they use to hold accessories like airdams, spoilers, and body kit parts in place, at their corners.  If you know someone at a local "body" shop, they may be able to help you with the remains of a nearly used up tube of the stuff.  If not, get a tube of an industrial strength "RTV" cement.  "RTV," stands for room temperature vulcanizing...which means it sets up and cures at room temperature.  Best results will happen if you have a garage to let it set up in overnight.  Apply a small amount of the cement to a very clean surface, and then set the emblem into it.  Put something on top of the emblem to push it down into the cement, and voila...tomorrow morning the car will have its' new badge on.  Good luck.  Check with a local body shop though.  They are a good source of the heavy duty cements that make for the best results.

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QUESTION: The new emblem is really sticky on the back....has its own adhesive, but how do I first remove the old, broken emblem?
Someone suggested a "heat gun" to loosen the old adhesive....
but I don't want to hurt the paint on the hood.  

Answer
Good idea, Tami;  If you use a hair dryer, it makes a lot less heat than the typical heat gun, and should still get the old emblem loose enough to peel off.  Use a nylon prying tool like the ones that glass installers use for windshield replacement...we refer to them as "bones."  "Bones" should be available at any local parts store, too, if you don't know a glass guy.  They are relatively cheap, 5, or 10 bucks, and this will keep the paint from getting scratched.