I just bought an 84 300SD that came with a fish (like those religious symbols) on the back that I don't want. Anybody know of a good way to get it off? It feels like it's superglued on there or something.

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Dean
Santa Barbara, CA
1974 280C
1984 300SD

When dealing with fish, use a fishing line. No, I'm serious! - I've read about several folks on this board who have used fishing line to cut away factory badges from the paint, without abrasion. I suppose the real question (the answer to which you probably don't know) is how old the badge is. If it's old, you may end up with an image of the fish that hasn't faded along with the rest of the paint.

For all I know, it's been on there since the car was new. I'll give it a try and let you know how it worked. An unfaded fish image in the paint shouldn't be too conspicuous. Thanks for your help!

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Dean
Santa Barbara, CA
1974 280C
1984 300SD

The fishing line worked really well! It helped me get ahold of the fish, and then I was able to peel at the foam underneath with my fingers and scrape at it with pieces of plastic from the fish. There's still a little bit of crud around the perimeter of where the fish was, but hopefully that will come off with some kind of cleaner and some elbow grease. There isn't a noticeable difference in the paint color either. Thanks Nick!


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Dean
Santa Barbara, CA
1974 280C
1984 300SD

What the hell are those fish anyway?? I see them all the time. What is the significance of those chrome fish??

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

[This message has been edited by jeffsr (edited 05-10-2000).]

I found that WD40 removed the residual glue from my 300E badge and didn't seem to hurt the paint. Also, spraying the nylon line (I used dental floss) with Mequires Final Inspection made the removal process easier.

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JCE
87 300E, 62k miles
Smoke Silver

re: Jeff.

The chrome fish are Christian symbols...the symbolism dates back to the oldest days of the church and all the fishing analogies of Jesus' teaching. They also represent the alpha in the Greek alphabet, referring back to Jesus' remark "I am the alpha and the omega; the beginning and the end."
So, I guess they do double duty as symbols.
The fish should have his head facing left...like the Greek alpha, but occasionally I see them backwards. There is also another chrome fish decal I've seen whose head points to the right, has feet, and says "Darwin" in the center. The analogy there only dates back to the 1870s, however.

Anyhow, I may be Christian, but I'm not putting any stinking fish on my damned Benz.

Regards,

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John J. Meadows
'85 190E 2.3L 96k mi.
My first M-B, not my last.

Just a little food for thought. My mother gave my nephew a car that she had for 15 years ran great. She had the fish which he removed. He crashed the car the next day. He was fine but the car was a complete loss.
I am one who would leave the fish alone. God likes the publicity.

You know, speaking as a reformed believer, I find the best part is that the fish makes it easier to identify our hypocrisy. You know what that is....it's that sense of moral indignation you get (justifiably) just after you've been flipped or cut off by the driver of such an adorned car.

Forgive us.

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Scott

'91 300E 91k
Pearl Black/Gray
Euros/clear corners
94/95 tails
AMG style wheels

'72 280 SEL 4.5 247k
Navy over Silver

The technical name for the little swimmers is "Jesus Fish"

Have to watch Seinfeld to understand...

Instead of going through the hassle of removing, just draw some legs and feet on it and add support to Darwin's theory - like the trust-fund-monkeys in Bezerkeley do.

Remember, we are witnessing THE END OF THE 20th CENTURY!!!!

DEAN!

Use "Goo-Gone", "Goof Off", or even naptha (cigarette lighter fluid) to remove the remains. I understand that WD-40 also works pretty well on sticker residue.

DARIUS!

Loaves and FISHES!! You forgot the parable, my son. But, otherwise, an excellent theological disertation.

What I really hate, as the Dad of a six-year old, is the outline of "Calvin" from the old Bill Watterson cartoon "Calvin & Hobbes" urinating on whatever, and "How's My Driving? Call 1-800-Eat-****" along with all of the other vile crap that people put on their cars (including, IMHO, all political bumper stickers). Hell, I'm all for free speech, and a right to personal expression, but WHY does my kid have to see someone's personal neurosis, and lack of good taste displayed on their vehicle? Don't give me another reason to run your sorry ass offa the road!!! And people, Keep the fish (with or without feet and names) offa yer damn car, OK? :p

But then, I' m one who thinks it should be a capital crime for ugly people to intentionally make themselves uglier. I swear to GOD! It should be a law that if you're pug-ugly, you should be forced to make an effort to I M P R O V E your looks, not intentionally become MORE hideous to look at!!!

Am I alone here?

Wow! I feel much better now, thanks for letting me vent!!!

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

S. Longston,

AS Hank Hill put it, all those little things you wished people would change about them (bumper stickers, etc) are all right, and we should let them keep them. Yep, you heard it, they are fine. It gives you an easy way of telling which people "aint right" just by looking.

Happy New Year.

__________________
Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

Before anyone gets offended I didn't mean to say the fish people "aint right". Those peple with the Calvin and Hobes cartoon on the other hand...

__________________
Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

I would suggest using dental floss, it is softer than fishing line. Before using the line, heat the area up with a hair dryer and then saturate the adhesive with WD-40, liquid wrench, etc. If you have a large amount of residue left, try 3M automotive badge adhesive remover, it works great.