Prepping black tailgate insert and blackout emblems

I went ahead and bought the blackout emblems and the black tailgate inserts for my tundra. I was curious to prep the surface do you apply straight 70 percent isopropyl alcohol with a rag or do you need to dilute the alcohol to not damage the paint/clear coat?

 

just use rubbing alcohol

 

Just a quick wipe with alcohol. I put mine on when the truck was new after leaving the dealership with no alcohol wipe and no issues at all.

 

The higher the alcohol content the better. Dont dilute the 70%. Use 91% or 190 proof Everclear if you have it. It wont damage the paint and will dry much faster leaving you with a cleaner surface. Putting on while warm will help also, same goes for when taking decals off.

 

Any recommendations for install? Was it pretty easy and straight forward? I’m ocd as hell about emblems being crooked.

 

Just take your time. It's not bad at all.

 

Just added them today. Used the 70 percent and did not dilute. Dried super quick and I did have a lot of grime on my truck despite it didn’t look like it. The emblems actually didn’t fit as perfect as one would think but enough to where no one would ever notice. Just keep eyeballing but I’m sure it will look fine.

 

If your letters come attached in one strip like most do, cut them into individual letters and attach them separately, it makes it easier to align them into the recess. I also have a high OCD problem with crooked things.

Edit: Not sure if you meant the tailgate letters, or side emblems, so disregard as needed.

 

Are the blackout emblems that overlay the chrome, are they suppose to be touching the paint or chrome still exposed? Some the chrome is still exposed and others make contact with the paint and fully cover the chrome.