Should I get the emblem cap or the real badge replacement?

[Markbanshee]

Just got my 2019 Hi Chroma Red Premium Stinger. Love it so far, its everything I wanted. I am looking at replacing the emblems with the vintage K look and debating the 3d stickers that go on top of what is there versus removing the OEM badge and installing new ones. The stickers are cheaper and much easier to install, but do they look cheesy in person?

 

[Revvdmedia]

I bought the Loden brand (I think) overlay stick on badge for the front of my Stinger. While the cosmetic quality is good and it feel like metal (it might be), you can see the metal edge of the overlay when looking at the badge from the side. I also noticed within a month the bottom of the badge was peeling up from the original Kia badge. I did clean the original badge well and held the overlay down for at least a good minute, but the curvature of the overlay isn't perfect with the original Kia badge and I don't know if any of them would last forever. It is possible using an adhesion promoter might help with this.

If you can live with those flaws, I'd say it is a good looking alternative to a badge swap, but if those things bug you, I would not recommend it.

 

[Markbanshee]

Great stuff, thank you. I made a quick decision and decided to buy the set anyways (from Sal on this forum but I cannot post the link yet), if it doesn't work I will consider my options. Follow-up pictures to come...

 

[Revvdmedia]

It is not an expensive option and is easy to install, so worth a try. My suggestion is make sure the original badge is clean and also wiped with isopropyl alcohol so there is nothing to hinder the adhesion of the overlay. Also, I do think an adhesion promoter will help it stay on longer, worth looking into IMO.

 

[Markbanshee]

UPDATE: Vintage K overlays arrived today, super quick delivery! Here is my overview...they are relatively sturdy with a nice, shiny raised "K". They are easy to put on, they are a sticker after all. The front badge was smaller than the outline of the KIA logo and the edge is somewhat noticeable as it is raised from the exterior chrome ring. I have a picture attached look from above, you can see the edge. If you are standing more than a foot away in any direction you would never notice. The hatch badge was actually a bit too big, it covered the entire KIA logo, the black and sat on top of the exterior chrome ring. It looks fine, again from up close you can see the edge, from afar it fine. I put on the wheel cap stickers as well on my Premium which has the less sporty wheels than the GT's. These don't really match what is already on there but I actually like them. They cover and go around the existing logo and show off the chrome edge around the cap. I cleaned off all of the surfaces before putting the stickers on....we shall see how long they stay on for!

 

[Revvdmedia]

UPDATE: The front badge was smaller than the outline of the KIA logo and the edge is somewhat noticeable as it is raised from the exterior chrome ring.

Something must have changed from batch to batch. I had the same badge and I found the front almost perfectly sized around the black part of the Kia badge, perfectly matching the start of the chrome part. Yours definitely looks a bit smaller than mine.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I bought the Loden brand (I think) overlay stick on badge for the front of my Stinger. While the cosmetic quality is good and it feel like metal (it might be), you can see the metal edge of the overlay when looking at the badge from the side. I also noticed within a month the bottom of the badge was peeling up from the original Kia badge. I did clean the original badge well and held the overlay down for at least a good minute, but the curvature of the overlay isn't perfect with the original Kia badge and I don't know if any of them would last forever. It is possible using an adhesion promoter might help with this.

If you can live with those flaws, I'd say it is a good looking alternative to a badge swap, but if those things bug you, I would not recommend it.

I concur entirely with this review of the "K" skins. I have front and rear K skins. They went through last winter. The rear looks glued down all around. The front has lifted along the long edges. But not in an unsightly way from any reasonable viewing distance. I take these things at five to six feet: if your eye isn't drawn to an imperfection that far away then it's all good. The skins look good even closer than that.