How to remove the KIA badge from the steering wheel

[Mr. Wonderful]

I replaced the badge I bought from the K8Stinger store with one from eBay today:

Forum won't let me post your ebay link from abov.
Is this one a stick-on, or did you remove the old one again?
Looks good.

 

[SKStinger]

Forum won't let me post your ebay link from abov.
Is this one a stick-on, or did you remove the old one again?
Looks good.

It has 3M adhesive on the back so you could overlay the Kia badge or remove it and stick this on. I chose to remove the Kia badge so that the new badge fits flush. Either way would be an improvement though.

 

[washguy]

I chose to buy my steering wheel badge from Sal here on this forum...it goes over the factory badge and looks awesome....with my luck removing an airbag badge would cause it to explode Wash

 

[Ozstung]

I chose to buy my steering wheel badge from Sal here on this forum...it goes over the factory badge and looks awesome....with my luck removing an airbag badge would cause it to explode Wash

Funny that im about to take an overlay off im going to use some goo remover, i thought what if this thing goes off

 

[GRStinger]

I also bought the overlay from Sal. This is the only re-badge I've done so far. I have 'Stinger' overlays for the wheel caps - will apply them when I put the OEM wheel/tires back on in spring. Still thinking about other re-badge's - for hood and hatch. Two minds about it. I like that Kia made this car - they deserve the badge "cred". But I personally think the badge is fugly (and for some of us K-I-A does not have a nice connotation.) Also, I still don't know which one to do. The "E" is cool. I think the "K" patch is a better design befitting the car, but it looks too Lexus. Dunno.

 

[washguy]

GRStinger The E badge from Sal.....I have people following me while trying to figure out the E....and of course in the grocery store parking lot folks will be standing there trying to figure out the E....ive never had so much fun with a car that's just siting there in the lot....too funny Wash

 

[GRStinger]

GRStinger The E badge from Sal.....I have people following me while trying to figure out the E....and of course in the grocery store parking lot folks will be standing there trying to figure out the E....ive never had so much fun with a car that's just siting there in the lot....too funny Wash

Punking folks at the grocery store? You subversive, you.

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

I also got a Sal overlay. The original badge is held in with clips. I don’t think the 3M tape would have anything to properly grip on to with the badge removed. It would have to be a different design. Also, if the bag goes boom, I’d trust the 3M tape more than a jury rig system instead. The badge is probably flipping over backwards so that won’t become a projectile. Clipped in via handywork, who knows?

 

[Regnits 1]

Because I want to remove the badge. I paid for the car and last I checked, this meant that I own it. I’m not a product fanboy who wants to run around telling everyone “look at my Kia, I’m so proud” whilst welling up with tears. It’s a CAR!

I don’t like the look, the feel or the content of the badge and want it gone, as is my right to do so.

I totally agree. I covered it completely with a black GT emblem of

The question above is in relation to removing the badge off the steering wheel not how to disconnect the air bag ??

Can someone provide a correct answer and were can u by an “E” Badge for the steering wheel?

I totally agree. I covered it completely with a black GT emblem of the same size. 2 GTs on the steering works better for me than the old KIA logo. I would bet that some heat and very careful wedging would pull of the original for a clean removal.

 

[SKStinger]

I also got a Sal overlay. The original badge is held in with clips. I don’t think the 3M tape would have anything to properly grip on to with the badge removed. It would have to be a different design. Also, if the bag goes boom, I’d trust the 3M tape more than a jury rig system instead. The badge is probably flipping over backwards so that won’t become a projectile. Clipped in via handywork, who knows?

The surface under the Kia badge is smooth and about the same size as the replacement badge so the 3M adheres to it well.

 

[jatleson]

I replaced the entire airbag assembly with a Korean one. Had the dealer do it.

How much was the airbag? That is the best look

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

The surface under the Kia badge is smooth and about the same size as the replacement badge so the 3M adheres to it well.

I haven’t removed it so; does it have the same curvature as the actual badge, so the tape adheres? Also, the slots cover neatly?

 

[SKStinger]

I haven’t removed it so; does it have the same curvature as the actual badge, so the tape adheres? Also, the slots cover neatly?

Yeah it fits perfectly and covers all the slots. Removing it is a process though and not for the faint of heart!

 

[SKStinger]

How much was the airbag? That is the best look

$450 and then you risk having an airbag that may or may not actually work.

 

[flycaster]

Don't have my GT2 yet, but will in August. Glad I came across this thread as I really can't stand the ugly steering wheel Kia badge. It's not that I mind seeing Kia on the wheel, it's just that the badge is sooo ugly. BTW, I know I saw somewhere that Kia may be changing the logo. They'll be keeping KIA, but it will be slanted and a nicer looking font. Personally, at the moment, I'd go for Sal's letter K, but I do have a question: I'll be leasing and I wonder if the overlay can be removed, and if not, will it screw up my lease return?

 

[GenesisG70]

Very interesting that I don't see much of Honda, Ford, toyota, Nissan owners massively debadging their humble cars, neither I see massive debadging of Ferraris and Porsches, yet I see a massive amounts of Kia owners wanting to erase every trace of Kia on their cars.
To be objective I don't see Ford's or Toyota's badge extremely pleasant and beautiful, neither I see Kia's badge so horrendous that needs to be mutilated. The E and K badge in my eyes look as bland as the original Kia badge, it's not like these modified Kia badges are pieces of art or something.
Also If Kia would be a top luxury brand like Ferrari you will rarely see people trying to erase any Kia branding from their cars.

So the bottom line is that the looks of the Kia badge is subjective, probably the feeling is like "I like the car but don't want to be associated with the brand". The issue is that people don't want to be putting a logo that represents cheap cars on their 50,000 USD cars.

I don't mind because it represents then 5th car maker on planet earth, I am PROUD of showing the Kia badge.

Bu of course all of these is just my humble and personal opinion you can do whatever with tour material possessions.

 

[RUFFSTUFF]

I'm trying to understand why everyone is so scared of the steering wheel badge. I pulled the badge off of my Optima with no issues and yes it had tabs too. Is there something different in the design of the Stinger? I have ordered a GT overlay but I would prefer to mount it flush not on top of a badge...

 

[Kamauxx]

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Very interesting that I don't see much of Honda, Ford, toyota, Nissan owners massively debadging their humble cars, neither I see massive debadging of Ferraris and Porsches, yet I see a massive amounts of Kia owners wanting to erase every trace of Kia on their cars.
To be objective I don't see Ford's or Toyota's badge extremely pleasant and beautiful, neither I see Kia's badge so horrendous that needs to be mutilated. The E and K badge in my eyes look as bland as the original Kia badge, it's not like these modified Kia badges are pieces of art or something.
Also If Kia would be a top luxury brand like Ferrari you will rarely see people trying to erase any Kia branding from their cars.

So the bottom line is that the looks of the Kia badge is subjective, probably the feeling is like "I like the car but don't want to be associated with the brand". The issue is that people don't want to be putting a logo that represents cheap cars on their 50,000 USD cars.

I don't mind because it represents then 5th car maker on planet earth, I am PROUD of showing the Kia badge.

Bu of course all of these is just my humble and personal opinion you can do whatever with tour material possessions.

Kia's badge is ugly. And it spells out killed in action. And it looks really dated because, unlike most automotive badge designs it hasn't been changed/updated in decades.

But most importantly, why do people care what someone does or doesn't do with their car? It's their car.

Not until someone comes along and steals your wallet to pay for new emblems to rebadge your car will your rant be warranted.

Live and let live.

 

[Kamauxx]

I'm trying to understand why everyone is so scared of the steering wheel badge. I pulled the badge off of my Optima with no issues and yes it had tabs too. Is there something different in the design of the Stinger? I have ordered a GT overlay but I would prefer to mount it flush not on top of a badge...

I did the same on two Optimas. The only danger is upsetting a neighbor or waking a sleeping baby by mistakenly hitting the horn.

The Stinger's design is identical.

 

[cncBilly]

Here is what the Kia badge looks like after it is removed. You can see the metal prongs. It’s really maleable tin like material.

Also some photos of the new badge. Pretty happy with how this went. The new badge could be 1mm or 2 wider as it leaves a small gap on the upper corners that my OCD notices.

I will keep it this way for now but keep looking for a nice cost effective alternative. I like the Stinger badge above but with shipping and US currency exchange it’s too rich for me.

Great post. Thx