Rebadging the rear and rims

[Cubby61]

I have had so many people stop and look at my car wondering what it is. They see the KIA badge and I can tell they lose just a little enthusiasm, but only a little. I wanted to emphasize the Stinger more and the KIA a little less so I removed the rear KIA logo and the small Stinger script and replaced it with the larger Stinger script and a 3.3T badge. I also added the GT logo to the wheel center caps. I decided to leave the front alone as I am very proud to say I drive a KIA (my other car is a 2016 KIA Optima SX Launch Edition with Kinetic exhaust, Kinetic lowering springs and RSR R704 wheels, all dealer installed), but I want people to look a little harder before figuring out it's a KIA. I do love the exhaust note of my Optima with the Kinetic cat-back exhaust so I may see a different exhaust in my Stinger's future to have it sound as great as it performs.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Nice work. I know what you mean about how people lose interest and respect for the Stinger when they realize too quickly that it's a Kia. It's just the way human beings are wired.

Cadillac has been building great cars for over a decade now and they have a very healthy history other than a couple of less than stellar decades - and people still don't give the brand the respect it deserves.

It certainly doesn't hurt to give people a little incentive to fall in love with the Stinger before they just turn their nose up and move on...

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

I have had so many people stop and look at my car wondering what it is. They see the KIA badge and I can tell they lose just a little enthusiasm, but only a little. I wanted to emphasize the Stinger more and the KIA a little less so I removed the rear KIA logo and the small Stinger script and replaced it with the larger Stinger script and a 3.3T badge. I also added the GT logo to the wheel center caps. I decided to leave the front alone as I am very proud to say I drive a KIA (my other car is a 2016 KIA Optima SX Launch Edition with Kinetic exhaust, Kinetic lowering springs and RSR R704 wheels, all dealer installed), but I want people to look a little harder before figuring out it's a KIA. I do love the exhaust note of my Optima with the Kinetic cat-back exhaust so I may see a different exhaust in my Stinger's future to have it sound as great as it performs.

View attachment 7506 View attachment 7507

Looks very cool. I’m examining my options now. I’m into the vintage K. So, I’m looking.

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

Looks very cool. I’m examining my options now. I’m into the vintage K. So, I’m looking.

Sal,

I’ve got a cart full of goodies but have some concerns as I’m really new to this car. I hope it’s OK to ask here as others may benefit too. I’m getting the door strikers, cool, just stick on. The horn “K”, looks like just cover the old one so how much does it stick out OR does the KIA badge pop off? Then the “K” glues to the horn? Smoother fit?

The exterior ones. The hood and hatch oval black chrome Ks. They don’t seem to have the pegs to align them. I’m worried in the Las Vegas summer heat, parked out side, they will loosen and slide out of position? Big worry by looking at them. Same question for the wheel cap sticker GTs. I love the red GT for the wheels but movement and LV heat makes me think they will dislodge. I live in LA but got to LV every so often, family is my excuse and I’m sticking to it, including the summer.

I hope you can advise me. Thanks!!

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

Nice work. I know what you mean about how people lose interest and respect for the Stinger when they realize too quickly that it's a Kia. It's just the way human beings are wired.

Cadillac has been building great cars for over a decade now and they have a very healthy history other than a couple of less than stellar decades - and people still don't give the brand the respect it deserves.

It certainly doesn't hurt to give people a little incentive to fall in love with the Stinger before they just turn their nose up and move on...

I tried to reply to you and messed up. My questions are right above.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Sal,

I’ve got a cart full of goodies but have some concerns as I’m really new to this car. I hope it’s OK to ask here as others may benefit too. I’m getting the door strikers, cool, just stick on. The horn “K”, looks like just cover the old one so how much does it stick out OR does the KIA badge pop off? Then the “K” glues to the horn? Smoother fit?

The exterior ones. The hood and hatch oval black chrome Ks. They don’t seem to have the pegs to align them. I’m worried in the Las Vegas summer heat, parked out side, they will loosen and slide out of position? Big worry by looking at them. Same question for the wheel cap sticker GTs. I love the red GT for the wheels but movement and LV heat makes me think they will dislodge. I live in LA but got to LV every so often, family is my excuse and I’m sticking to it, including the summer.

I hope you can advise me. Thanks!!

Hello Mr. Spiegel,

Let's see... Yes, the door striker covers just stick on. Pretty simple. The steering wheel badge is VERY thin - but also very strong. It's a very well-made piece. They stick right over the KIA logo and really don't protrude. It looks natural and is a perfect fit.

The hood and hatch badges - they don't need pegs to stick on. As a matter of fact, Kia is one of the only manufacturers that still use those pegs. They're not needed. The badges will not fall off in the heat. Just make sure you clean the surface with alcohol before applying them. So that's no problem. Though as you may have seen, they're backordered. It still doesn't hurt to put in your order now as I will be shipping out paid-for pieces first. As soon as they arrive, they go out. I ship immediately - I don't wait a second. I'm extremely quick to ship customer orders...

The wheel caps you're speaking of are the same thing - they stick over the stock KIA logos and they don't come off until you pull them off. And believe me - you need to pull hard.

Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns. Thank you very much for considering buying from my store! I do appreciate the trust and support...

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

Hello Mr. Spiegel,

Let's see... Yes, the door striker covers just stick on. Pretty simple. The steering wheel badge is VERY thin - but also very strong. It's a very well-made piece. They stick right over the KIA logo and really don't protrude. It looks natural and is a perfect fit.

The hood and hatch badges - they don't need pegs to stick on. As a matter of fact, Kia is one of the only manufacturers that still use those pegs. They're not needed. The badges will not fall off in the heat. Just make sure you clean the surface with alcohol before applying them. So that's no problem. Though as you may have seen, they're backordered. It still doesn't hurt to put in your order now as I will be shipping out paid-for pieces first. As soon as they arrive, they go out. I ship immediately - I don't wait a second. I'm extremely quick to ship customer orders...

The wheel caps you're speaking of are the same thing - they stick over the stock KIA logos and they don't come off until you pull them off. And believe me - you need to pull hard.

Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns. Thank you very much for considering buying from my store! I do appreciate it...

Thanks for the quick reply Sal and please call me Joe, we are Stinger Family! I’m placing my order now! Oh and for future purchasing items like I had and liked on my Crosstour. Valve stem covers with O ring, in black chrome and in vintage K, GT or other designs that you think will sell. License plate bolt kit in black chrome and logoed likewise. Can’t find them, wondering if they even exist. Chrome regular Kia all you want. Check your sources not seeing any.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Thanks for the quick reply Sal and please call me Joe, we are Stinger Family! I’m placing my order now! Oh and for future purchasing items like I had and liked on my Crosstour. Valve stem covers with O ring, in black chrome and in vintage K, GT or other designs that you think will sell. License plate bolt kit in black chrome and logoed likewise. Can’t find them, wondering if they even exist. Chrome regular Kia all you want. Check your sources not seeing any.

Thank you, sir! Err, Joe! I will ship the in-stock items you order right now. As for other items - valve stem covers - I will keep my eyes opened and ask around as well. License plate surround is a good idea as well. I will see what I can find... Thanks again!

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

Thank you, sir! Err, Joe! I will ship the in-stock items you order right now. As for other items - valve stem covers - I will keep my eyes opened and ask around as well. License plate surround is a good idea as well. I will see what I can find... Thanks again!

Just the bolts with caps or capped bolts. Frames are a whole other and good idea. Black chrome FTW. Body color is a good option but that’s a lot of product to inventory. Usually generic metals are used and inserts may have colors. My Honda bolts were anodized in red, close to my color.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Just the bolts with caps or capped bolts.

Oh! Ya know, I didn't even realize they made those! Nice... I'll be looking into it...

 

[Kia Stinger]

Just the bolts with caps or capped bolts. Frames are a whole other and good idea. Black chrome FTW. Body color is a good option but that’s a lot of product to inventory. Usually generic meats are used and inserts may have colors. My Honda bolts were anodized in red, close to my color.

If you haven't received your USPS tracking number via email, please let me know and I'll send you a direct message with it. The package is on the way to the post office right now - and will be out first thing in tomorrow morning's mail... Thank you again! I appreciate your trust and patronage...

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

If you haven't received your USPS tracking number via email, please let me know and I'll send you a direct message with it. The package is on the way to the post office right now - and will be out first thing in tomorrow morning's mail... Thank you again! I appreciate your trust and patronage...

Got it and tracking it. Thanks for the fast ship. BTW looking at my car, the B pillar has two stickers on either side, vertically from the striker/jam/thing. Sigh. Tires and VIN. May be able to only do three. I’ll see when I get them. I’m afraid to move them, may damage them or they won’t stick right. Have you run into this?

 

[Kia Stinger]

Got it and tracking it. Thanks for the fast ship. BTW looking at my car, the B pillar has two stickers on either side, vertically from the striker/jam/thing. Sigh. Tires and VIN. May be able to only do three. I’ll see when I get them. I’m afraid to move them, may damage them or they won’t stick right. Have you run into this?

I haven't seen anyone mention an issue like this - but I'm very curious to see if you have trouble. Please let me know...

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

I haven't seen anyone mention an issue like this - but I'm very curious to see if you have trouble. Please let me know...

Will take a photo. Forgot to do that. It’s real tight there. The badge will probably cover the stickers and I won’t do that. If I try to move them they’ll crease and never lay flat again.