What did you do to your Kia Stinger today?

[eflyguy]

What did you do in 30 minutes to remove all evidence!?

I thought you had mentioned you had to do the same?

Very careful wet sanding, starting with some 220 and working up to about 1200 or higher. That was after cleaning it really well with a hard plastic brush and some WD40. Some of the aluminum had been "pressed" down towards the bead, breaking up the look of the smooth curve of the edge of the rim against the tire, so I folded the heavier grit around the rim to get rid of that first, then carefully worked on the face of it.

It was the long segment between the 6:30-8:00 position, a little bit up the spoke on either side, if you want to inspect my work more closely.

 

[leecm]

Going to rebadge the rear end with the Stinger script soon. Is it generally agreed that the best method of removing the factory badges is using either dental floss or fishing line? Is heat necessary? If so, should I put auto-painters tape around the badge to protect the surrounding paint from the heat?

Also, after the badge is off, is goo-gone a good product to use to get the left-over adhesive off the car?

 

[GreySpector]

Got my Eibach lowering springs installed today. Can't wait for the spring to install my summer wheels/tires.

 

[BigPlum]

Painted stuff. Used Plasti-dip, so if I don't like it later, I can change it back. Kinda like it for now, though.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I thought you had mentioned you had to do the same?

Very careful wet sanding, starting with some 220 and working up to about 1200 or higher. That was after cleaning it really well with a hard plastic brush and some WD40. Some of the aluminum had been "pressed" down towards the bead, breaking up the look of the smooth curve of the edge of the rim against the tire, so I folded the heavier grit around the rim to get rid of that first, then carefully worked on the face of it.

It was the long segment between the 6:30-8:00 position, a little bit up the spoke on either side, if you want to inspect my work more closely.

Oh, that method. . Nobody else on here had ever "admitted" to trying it out too. Yes, it works really well to eradicate obvious curb rash. You still know it's there, but anybody walking by would never see it. Wet sanding passes the "five or six feet away rule".

(I can't see a thing in your pic; it looks good to me!)

 

[MerlintheMad]

Going to rebadge the rear end with the Stinger script soon. Is it generally agreed that the best method of removing the factory badges is using either dental floss or fishing line? Is heat necessary? If so, should I put auto-painters tape around the badge to protect the surrounding paint from the heat?

Also, after the badge is off, is goo-gone a good product to use to get the left-over adhesive off the car?

People like you terrify me. If I were going to remove badges/script, I'd be hiring it out after researching the best pros to do it.

 

[leecm]

People like you terrify me. If I were going to remove badges/script, I'd be hiring it out after researching the best pros to do it.

I assumed most people that put the stinger script on did it themselves. Is that not the case?

 

[AV8R]

I assumed most people that put the stinger script on did it themselves. Is that not the case?

The benefit of getting a smash repairer to do the job is that if they stuff it up they have to fix it. They do them all the time. Let them do it.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I assumed most people that put the stinger script on did it themselves. Is that not the case?

Many have done it themselves. I don't know about "most". Many have bagged the idea of "me do it me self" and gone to either the dealer or a body shop. A number of reports have described even the "pros" screwing up the paint and fixing it: which, if I were doing this, is what I would expect by taking the job to them.

Personally, rebadging is never going to be something I do: I like the KIA badge just fine, and I only have the "K" skins over those: it's fun and risk free.

 

[leecm]

Many have done it themselves. I don't know about "most". Many have bagged the idea of "me do it me self" and gone to either the dealer or a body shop. A number of reports have described even the "pros" screwing up the paint and fixing it: which, if I were doing this, is what I would expect by taking the job to them.

Personally, rebadging is never going to be something I do: I like the KIA badge just fine, and I only have the "K" skins over those: it's fun and risk free.

What type of shop would do rebadging typically?

 

[Jimmer]

What type of shop would do rebadging typically?

I had my dealership do it. Two E badges (front and back) and switching out the KIA wheel centers with E Badge Wheel centers

 

[MerlintheMad]

What type of shop would do rebadging typically?

Where I got my PPF put on, a full body shop. This is not a thing that I would go price shopping for. Reputation and recommendation would point me to the right shop.

 

[ShannonC]

Many have done it themselves. I don't know about "most". Many have bagged the idea of "me do it me self" and gone to either the dealer or a body shop. A number of reports have described even the "pros" screwing up the paint and fixing it: which, if I were doing this, is what I would expect by taking the job to them.

Personally, rebadging is never going to be something I do: I like the KIA badge just fine, and I only have the "K" skins over those: it's fun and risk free.

If you like the Kia badge so much why did you cover it up?

 

[Rango]

Going to rebadge the rear end with the Stinger script soon. Is it generally agreed that the best method of removing the factory badges is using either dental floss or fishing line? Is heat necessary? If so, should I put auto-painters tape around the badge to protect the surrounding paint from the heat?

Also, after the badge is off, is goo-gone a good product to use to get the left-over adhesive off the car?

Simple process. Use very high test fishing line with gloves for good grip. The key is to cut above the paint ... closest you can to the emblem. Then you have a bunch of residual still on the car. I used Goo Gone Automotive and used my thumbs only. NO SCRAPING UTENSILS! Took a while and my thumbs will never be the same ... but came out perfect with no paint lifting. After all goo is off, clean with isopropyl alchohol and prep the area with some mild cutting wax. I did tape around the emblem with painter's tape to protect the surrounding paint. Heat is not needed. Coat the fishing line with the Goo Gone and change the line often when it gets gunked. Above all ... take your time!!! Hope this helps.

 

[Tyler Prout]

Got my Eibach lowering springs installed today. Can't wait for the spring to install my summer wheels/tires.

View attachment 19222

Has anyone on this thread had any experience with 20" aftermarket staggered wheel sets and notice any substantial effect on ride quality? Bought a 2018 Stinger GT2 late summer and considering adding Giovanna Haleb black rims w/ summer tires to my aurora black stinger? Little experience with anything than OEM wheels. Thoughts or suggestions on brands and where to purchase welcome.
BTW - I re-badged my stinger last summer both hood and rear. DIY greater difficulty than I expected to get front hood off. Ended up having dealer do both front and rear. Turned out great.

 

[Kamauxx]

Has anyone on this thread had any experience with 20" aftermarket staggered wheel sets and notice any substantial effect on ride quality? Bought a 2018 Stinger GT2 late summer and considering adding Giovanna Haleb black rims w/ summer tires to my aurora black stinger? Little experience with anything than OEM wheels. Thoughts or suggestions on brands and where to purchase welcome.
BTW - I re-badged my stinger last summer both hood and rear. DIY greater difficulty than I expected to get front hood off. Ended up having dealer do both front and rear. Turned out great.

Check out the wheels and tires sub-forum. Tons of info there.

 

[MerlintheMad]

If you like the Kia badge so much why did you cover it up?

I like messing with people while the mystique of the Stinger is still new. Just two days ago, my dentists' receptionist asked, "What kind of car is that?" And I said, "It's a Stinger." She was mystified and asked who makes it. And then I pointed to the "K" badge. And she said she was trying to figure out whose car has that on it. I said that it's called a "K-Lexus badge", because it resembles the Lexus "L" logo; but it's actually a Kia logo that gets attention. So, it's fun having it on the Stinger for a while; and I know that preserved underneath is the KIA badge, which I will gladly display again later.

 

[robz32]

Received this

 

[AV8R]

Received this

Its a trophy for what? Lol

 

[westcoastGT]

Its a trophy for what? Lol

.....no !! its a boat cleat ! jeeez