New guy

[P-Man]

Hey all,
New to the forum. Just grabbed an ‘18 GT in Sunset Yellow (dealer buyback but re-sprayed, 7k miles). Test drove it for maybe five minutes and fell in love. Already ordered new emblems (E hood badge/wheel caps and large Stinger script for the rear) and looking forward to slapping them on this weekend. Quick question, though. Should/can I get a dealer (or some other pro) to do it or should I knock it out myself? If the latter, will it affect my warranty? Thanks!

 

[MerlintheMad]

If you screw up the paint mucking around with badge swapping, of course you are responsible. Kia warranties paint against failure, not damage.

Welcome. I love the Yellow. If a GT1 had been available in that color I'd be taking pics of a Yellow instead of Silky Silver.

 

[P-Man]

Appreciate the response, but I should clarify. I don’t mean if I damage the paint, which would clearly be on me. I mean will any warranties (manufacturer’s original, re-spray guarantee, etc.) be affected just by virtue of the fact that I’m badge-swapping? Even if done flawlessly?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Appreciate the response, but I should clarify. I don’t mean if I damage the paint, which would clearly be on me. I mean will any warranties (manufacturer’s original, re-spray guarantee, etc.) be affected just by virtue of the fact that I’m badge-swapping? Even if done flawlessly?

The only risk is around the badges. If you have subsequent paint issues around the badges, Kia will in all likelihood claim you did it. Other areas of paint issues would have nothing to do with rebadging. The paint warranty is for 36K miles or 36 months.

 

[P-Man]

Good to know, thanks.

 

[Shrikecorp]

Good to know, thanks.

You'll be fine. Slow and steady. Get some heat on there, use fishing line or floss, Goo Gone/roll thumb on the remaining adhesive.

My understanding of the warranty in general is that claims should only be denied if KIA can and chooses to prove the failure is the result of your modification. Obviously a big ol' mess in the paint from adhesive pulling up the paint...that's on you as you recognize. However, should the transmission deposit itself on the freeway tomorrow your (potential) paint misadventures are not germane.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Get some heat on there ...

The use of heat to soften the glue in the 3M tape has resulted in bubbled, peeling paint, according to a number of reports here over the last year that I have been reading about debadging.

 

[Shrikecorp]

The use of heat to soften the glue in the 3M tape has resulted in bubbled, peeling paint, according to a number of reports here over the last year that I have been reading about debadging.

Ahem...a PSA:"Apply heat carefully, do not cook your paint. If you have concerns regarding your capacity for judicious application of heat, do not."

Of course if you take a heat gun on blast and hold it an inch away you'll have troubles. Be lucky not to set the car on fire.

 

[Jacques]

Congrats! Post pics of your Stinger when you get a chance.

 

[P-Man]

Thanks all!

Returning my flame-throwing badge gun to Amazon now.

 

[robz32]

Welcome aboard and congratulations!

 

[Guest-388154]

Hey all,
New to the forum. Just grabbed an ‘18 GT in Sunset Yellow (dealer buyback but re-sprayed, 7k miles). Test drove it for maybe five minutes and fell in love. Already ordered new emblems (E hood badge/wheel caps and large Stinger script for the rear) and looking forward to slapping them on this weekend. Quick question, though. Should/can I get a dealer (or some other pro) to do it or should I knock it out myself? If the latter, will it affect my warranty? Thanks!

Welcome aboard and congratulations!

I’m looking at an 18 Limited Edition GT2 Sunset, but it was kia buyback. I can’t find out if it was a paint buyback and if the warranty is still good.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I’m looking at an 18 Limited Edition GT2 Sunset, but it was kia buyback. I can’t find out if it was a paint buyback and if the warranty is still good.

If Kia bought a Sunset Yellow back it was because of paint issues; Kia did not offer to buyback for any other reason that I have heard of. It is being resold, so the paint job is a respray of the afflicted areas. If the paint looks perfect to you, then go for it. The full warranty is in force if Kia is selling the car to you as the original owner; if you are a subsequent owner the warranty will be five years and 60K miles. Either-or, should be a straight forward question and answer. Why can't you find out?

 

[westcoastGT]

Just use a hair dryer vs a heat gun , there is a lot of infor here on badge replacement , the rear is easier than the front , ......................go really slow , use heat judiciously , and saw the emlems off use 20lb + fishing line or several bands of floss , resist the desire to pull up on ther badges , just saw them off with a slight upward pressure ..................review this on the threads before trying it yourself .................there are 3 centering pins on the front badge ...............study !!!! good luck and pls report back !!

 

[Scott Charlton]

I just did exactly what you said tonight with a hair dryer, 20 lb fishing line, some plastic spreaders (to get around the pegs of the hood and trunk badges) and the badges came off easily. More heat and Gloo Gone to get rid of the adhesive. No scratches other than some scuffs in the clear coat that will be gone after polishing and waxing. The hardest step was getting the rear Stinger badge centered perfectly which was actually not hard just by aligning the holes as described in the You Tube videos. Plugged the holes with silicone...not sure if that was necessary but did it anyways. Very satisfied with the finish product. Definitely recommend heat to soften the adhesive and fishing line and plastic spreaders.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Welcome, Scott. Sounds like you did your homework before going to work. Tell us more about yourself and your car.

 

[Scott Charlton]

I am a former owner of a Audi A4. Loved my Audi but I love my Stinger more for sure. Looks better and way better performance. I didn't really consider myself a "car guy" but I guess I am now, thanks to my Stinger GT Limited. Sexy car.

 

[cncBilly]

Hey all,
New to the forum. Just grabbed an ‘18 GT in Sunset Yellow (dealer buyback but re-sprayed, 7k miles). Test drove it for maybe five minutes and fell in love. Already ordered new emblems (E hood badge/wheel caps and large Stinger script for the rear) and looking forward to slapping them on this weekend. Quick question, though. Should/can I get a dealer (or some other pro) to do it or should I knock it out myself? If the latter, will it affect my warranty? Thanks!

Definitely knock it out yourself!! Read the numerous posts regarding badge removal and take your time doing it. When you're finished step back have a look at what you've done and boom a great feeling of self accomplishment will come over you and will everytime you look at your beautiful new badges "you put on". Removing and replacing badges is literally a tiny bit harder than putting gas in your own car. So if you can do that...you got it. And above all don't let the badge removal scardy-cats get into your head.

 

[cncBilly]

I am a former owner of a Audi A4. Loved my Audi but I love my Stinger more for sure. Looks better and way better performance. I didn't really consider myself a "car guy" but I guess I am now, thanks to my Stinger GT Limited. Sexy car.

Where in Canada are you?

 

[Scott Charlton]

Where in Canada are you?

Guelph, Ontario.