another badge thread, but this time with a poll!

[Doel]

I'm picking up a GT1 in Panthera Metal this Saturday and I'm trying to figure out if I should change the badges out. I really don't have an issue with the Kia badges, but I really want that large Stinger script on the back, it looks a lot cleaner. There have been a lot of posts here about damaging the paint when removing the badges but I realize that everyone that has done this successfully aren't going to be vocal like those with damaged paint. So if you have, or haven't swapped your badges, please vote above!

 

[Callum]

I have my badges sitting on my desk. I'm truly terrified to try this. Mine is the Aurora Black, so if the paint isn't perfect it won't be as noticeable, but I still don't want to deal with it. I have the headlight peel on the front bumper, so that needs to get resprayed. I'll try the front this weekend and report back. I haven't seen any issues with the black GT's, but I may of missed that.

 

[Doel]

I have my badges sitting on my desk. I'm truly terrified to try this. Mine is the Aurora Black, so if the paint isn't perfect it won't be as noticeable, but I still don't want to deal with it. I have the headlight peel on the front bumper, so that needs to get resprayed. I'll try the front this weekend and report back. I haven't seen any issues with the black GT's, but I may of missed that.

yeah.... I have the same mindset. If I try to swap the badges and jack up the paint on a brand new car, I'll be beside myself.

 

[Callum]

yeah.... I have the same mindset. If I try to swap the badges and jack up the paint on a brand new car, I'll be beside myself.

I am in the same boat. I am going to try with no heat, other than parking the car in the sun. The front bumper needs to be repainted anyways...I may as well roll the dice and "find out". If it peels, OEM badge goes on and she goes to the body shop and I'll just have them install the "E" badge.

The rear is my ultimate fear to be honest with you...I wish there was a way to test, but unfortunately it's rolling the dice.

 

[DoctorStiches]

I've tried to swap my front with paint pealing off my pearl white bumper. Replaced with OEM and touch up paint t I still have my new badges in my tool box but I dont want to risk the rear now... I will try again with a proper debaging tools maybe..

 

[Doel]

I am in the same boat. I am going to try with no heat, other than parking the car in the sun. The front bumper needs to be repainted anyways...I may as well roll the dice and "find out". If it peels, OEM badge goes on and she goes to the body shop and I'll just have them install the "E" badge.

The rear is my ultimate fear to be honest with you...I wish there was a way to test, but unfortunately it's rolling the dice.

from what I've read on here, the back is usually better than the front, but who knows. I may see if the dealer can do it before I pick it up...

 

[DoctorStiches]

from what I've read on here, the back is usually better than the front, but who knows. I may see if the dealer can do it before I pick it up...

To be completely honest I used a heat gun on the front and the front being a polymer bumper could have definitely contributed to my paint peeling issue. But in my defense I come from old Japanese cars where most of the badges were mounted on metal and I did not think that the bumper would overheat

 

[Callum]

I’m having trouble finding any reports of black paint having the peeling issues. Tempted to get a custom sticker with the “E” badge made and just overlay it at this point

Or just be proud and rock my 52K KIA!

 

[westcoastGT]

Guys the better way to go is take it to a good body shop . DONT let your dealer do this , they are hacks .Body Shops do this stuff every day , cant imagine more that $100 to re and re front and rear !!

 

[CorgiGeek]

I swapped the badge on the back of my GT (Aurora Black). There is a little bit of scuffing in the clear coat outlining where the Kia badge was. Can't see it unless you're really close. Removing the small stringer script was super easy that came off perfectly with zero issues. Placing the larger Stinger script over the two holes where the emblem was was also very easy, Looks beautiful.
I have the E badge for the front but I will take it to a body shop to have them fix the clear coat scuffs and do the front.
I just installed PPF on bumper and partial hood so no paint flaking for me and hopefully it stays that way.

 

[jrhodes87]

I'm owner of the thread with the panthera metal stinger that lost a good amount of paint when removing the front badge. I heated it up waaay to much, looking back I wouldn't even have heated it up and just worked it off with the fishing line. I was able to get it repainted by a quality body shop and it looks perfect now. Back was easy to do, no issues, just don't use heat.

 

[Callum]

I plan on taking my time this weekend. Slow and super steady. I’ve got time to burn on the weekends...I don’t have time to burn during the week!

@CorgiGeek - that looks perfect!!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Reppin'/Rockin' KIA. But IF the badges were going to get swapped, I'd never do it myself. As @westcoastGT said, let a good body shop screw it up, and fix it. They stand behind what they do. And it can't cost that much to swap out badges. Peace of mind, folks! I'd be more concerned to get top quality badges that will literally weather the years.

 

[Callum]

Did this the other way around. Threw the dental floss out the door as well as broken fishing line. Got a prop from my racing drone and went to work. 30 minutes start to finish. Zero paint damage.

Skinny side under emblem, rotated and lifted the badge. Slowly working my way into the inside. Then slid the prop underneath straight into the middle to rear the adheasive.

 

[Callum]

Round two today. No paint issues. Didn’t use heat, and used another drone propeller. Convinced these are also trim removal tools too haha.

Debating on deleting the “GT” emblem too.

 

[CorgiGeek]

Round two today. No paint issues. Didn’t use heat, and used another drone propeller. Convinced these are also trim removal tools too haha.

Debating on deleting the “GT” emblem too.

Looks perfect! I'm too chicken n to attempt my front badge and I don't own a drone.

 

[Callum]

Looks perfect! I'm too chicken n to attempt my front badge and I don't own a drone.

I washed my Stinger prior, and soaked the front emblem prior. I’d like to think the water trapped under the emblem seeped into the adheasive. I also used tons of spray wax on the prop blades to “inject” the adheasive with was, so it became less sticky. Seemed to work both front and rear. Front emblem came off in 80* weather no problem. Rear emblem happened in the AM, about 60*. Neither used heat.

 

[Doel]

I washed my Stinger prior, and soaked the front emblem prior. I’d like to think the water trapped under the emblem seeped into the adheasive. I also used tons of spray wax on the prop blades to “inject” the adheasive with was, so it became less sticky. Seemed to work both front and rear. Front emblem came off in 80* weather no problem. Rear emblem happened in the AM, about 60*. Neither used heat.

nice! what did you use to get the adhesive off of the paint? I have some goo gone, I wonder if it might work "injecting" some of that under the badge to help loosen it up.

 

[jdouga]

The only damage i got on the rear was some scratches, but honestly just take your sweet time, U did it relatively quick, btw I did it back in June in Socal, so no need for heat gun, 83 degrees outside on black paint gets pretty hot. Again, if you really dont want any scratches take your time add tape around the area your working on, nake sure to clean the surface before you apply the new one too

 

[Callum]

nice! what did you use to get the adhesive off of the paint? I have some goo gone, I wonder if it might work "injecting" some of that under the badge to help loosen it up.

I took a microfiber rag and slowly rubbed the adhesive off. I would not used googone. It's "paint gone" on these cars. Just enjoy some blisters and "roll" the adhesive off with a microfiber.