Since you brought it up I will add my own blackout frustration. I replaced my tailgate lettering and Z71 emblems. First, the new black badges I ordered from Amazon claimed to be OEM and 3M adhesive. They were neither. So, if I was going to do it again I would start by making sure I had true OEM badges. Second, I tried the two removal methods most often recommended on YouTube, heat gun and fishing line. Those videos are BS. Getting the factory badges off is the easy part. The mess your left with after that is a total PIA. Bottom line is it becomes a painstaking job for your fingernails. Goo Gone does almost nothing to help with the adhesive you must remove. In fact, until you are down to the final super fine last layer of glaze Goo Gone tends to just smeer the adhesive around contaminating clean areas. It is not an easy process. Then, when I finally applied the new badges (cheap China crap) I discovered the tape on one of the Z71 plates was not properly affixed to the badge. It left a small gap between the top of the badge and the fender. That really pissed me off.
Apparently 3M makes a buffer wheel for a hand drill that "erases" the old adhesive. I have not tried that method. I didn't like the idea of hitting new paint with something like that. Maybe that was my bad? Also, don't listen to anyone that says you can lightly stick the new badge and then adjust it slightly for perfect placement. It is a one shot deal. Get it right the first time.
Thats my story and I'm STICKING to it.
Kind Regards,
Steve