I've done that before. Sometimes you just gotta put some force into it.
x2, I wouldn't trust myself that much.
It will make the color much deeper, I guess bolder may be a better work.
I've used those plastic razorblades at work, and they scratched the paint pretty good when trying to remove dealer stickers. They might work better on solid badges, but they just don't have any leverage. Just use a heat gun/hairdryer to heat up the glue first, then use a plastic spatula.