The chrome trunk handle was NOS in it's original box. It was/is covered by a pink tinted clear protective decal. This thing is 50 years old & the decal won't come off. Using a finger nail you can chip tiny bits of it off. I don't want to scratch the perfect chrome. Any advice on removing it? I've been told everything from a heat gun to WD40. Anybody have advice or experience in this regard?

 

A heat gun is too hot, use a hand held hair drier held really close if you want to go that route.
It has to be held in one place long enough to soften the adhesive so the decal will peel off.
Start with an edge and work your way through.

Using a hair drier may leave a sticky residue that WD40 will remove.
Basically anything oil base will soften the adhesive so it can be worked off.
Paint thinner can be used.

What will dissolve the old decal for sure is lacquer thinner or acetone.
This won't hurt the chrome, but will eat the paint.

 

You could try Goo Gone, it is supposed to work wonders and is surface safe.

You could try panel wipe, it won't affect the paint at least. The plastic cover is the hardest to remove, the glue can be removed fairly easily once it has the plastic protection gone !

Olive oil is supposed to work too, but you need to leave it for several hours to soften stuff up, you could soak a rag and leave it on over night to see if that works, that also won't affect the paint or chrome, and you may well have some to hand, Diesel may well do the same thing, it should soften the plastic if left on for a fair while.

 

inmerse it in a pan of hot water, the protective vinyl should come off.

I am looking for the 2 foam pads that go between the chromed Plinth (yes! that is the name of the part), and the painted surface of the boot lid.

 

Yes ~ the chromed part bought separate was known as the "Plinth". I found 2 foam pads in reasonable condition. They are as rare as rocking horse sh*t.

Most look like this ~ falling apart.

 

I'm thinking of having them reproduced. Those foam pads are needed for MK-X, 420-G, S type, and 420 so there is a market. All I need is a good pair of them.