What did you do to your Kia Stinger today?

[Duce_13]

Took it out for a stroll tonight

 

[StingerGT68]

Today I took the plunge and attempted my first ever de-badge/ re-badge. I learned a few things.
1) A hair dryer seems to provide enough heat so I erred on that side instead of using a heat gun.
2) I chose to primarily use fishing line with plastic wedges for support. 10# test line kept breaking, but 20# test worked.
3) The fishing line will cake with badge adhesive, and this I believe is what created a scuff above the rear center badge. I'll need to do a tiny bit of touching up--nothing too bad, thank goodness.
4) Fishing line is cheap. Don't re-use it once it cakes.
5) DUNCE LIGHT BULB: I attacked the front badge last, mostly because I was leery of even doing it based on some results posted elsewhere on the forum. But as I was wiping off the Goo-Gone from my hands after wiping off the adhesive, I had the bright idea to USE IT AS LUBRICANT while "sawing" with the fishing line. FAR less scratches in the clear coat, and using it keeps the adhesive previously sawn through from RE-attaching to the body.
Some pics:
View attachment 4302 View attachment 4303View attachment 4304

Wow, I actually really like the blue badge up front. I may do that. I like it a lot more than the "E" badge.

 

[westcoastGT]

Great job !! Looks great ! Love your little guy sneakin in for a cameo !!!

 

[westcoastGT]

Took it out for a stroll tonight

Looking a little ................gangster !

 

[robz32]

Washed it.

 

[Jeaddi]

Today I took the plunge and attempted my first ever de-badge/ re-badge. I learned a few things.
1) A hair dryer seems to provide enough heat so I erred on that side instead of using a heat gun.
2) I chose to primarily use fishing line with plastic wedges for support. 10# test line kept breaking, but 20# test worked.
3) The fishing line will cake with badge adhesive, and this I believe is what created a scuff above the rear center badge. I'll need to do a tiny bit of touching up--nothing too bad, thank goodness.
4) Fishing line is cheap. Don't re-use it once it cakes.
5) DUNCE LIGHT BULB: I attacked the front badge last, mostly because I was leery of even doing it based on some results posted elsewhere on the forum. But as I was wiping off the Goo-Gone from my hands after wiping off the adhesive, I had the bright idea to USE IT AS LUBRICANT while "sawing" with the fishing line. FAR less scratches in the clear coat, and using it keeps the adhesive previously sawn through from RE-attaching to the body.
Some pics:
View attachment 4302 View attachment 4303View attachment 4304

Great job, that looks awesome!

 

[mev202]

Took it out for a stroll tonight

It's good to get some exercise.

 

[AV8R]

The blue badge suits the car!

 

[Gdank]

I got the car detailed and then collected it!

Extreme Detailing on Instagram: “Just finish work on this awesome Kia Stinger GTS finished off with @gtechniq Crystal Serum Black #kia #kiastinger #crystalserum #detailing…”

 

[bumble bee]

Beautiful....

 

[Manchuz]

One thing to add: when I was changing my badges, I was way too rough on the first badge and left some swirls from the spudger tool. Use masking tape. Lay it all around the badge so that the fishing line and whatever prying tool you use will not make contact with the paint. I also stuck a microfiber towel underneath the wedging tool and basically wedged it under the badge for support.

 

[Margie]

So I had my windows tinted this week in my new Stinger. Here is what they posted on FB and Instagram after they were done. It looks great!

 

[Rufus]

One thing to add: when I was changing my badges, I was way too rough on the first badge and left some swirls from the spudger tool. Use masking tape. Lay it all around the badge so that the fishing line and whatever prying tool you use will not make contact with the paint. I also stuck a microfiber towel underneath the wedging tool and basically wedged it under the badge for support.

Great idea! Wish I'd thought of that earlier. Now I hope that future de-badge and re-badge attempts by other members will be trouble free based on our initial experiences. I will add that tape around the badge is a GREAT idea and that along with lubricating the under area with Goo-Gone and PATIENCE it will hopefully result in a seamless changeover!​

 

[derek0609]

One thing to add: when I was changing my badges, I was way too rough on the first badge and left some swirls from the spudger tool. Use masking tape. Lay it all around the badge so that the fishing line and whatever prying tool you use will not make contact with the paint. I also stuck a microfiber towel underneath the wedging tool and basically wedged it under the badge for support.

Did you fill in the holes with anything or did you just cover them with the new badges? Looks great by way!

 

[Manchuz]

Did you fill in the holes with anything or did you just cover them with the new badges? Looks great by way!

I filled the rear holes with silicone as suggested by StingerGT&Me's vid. The front holes is unnecessary cause the E badges have posts that will slot in.

Here's a fun (and unproven) fact: the Canadian Stingers don't have 2 circular holes on the front and back. Instead there's one circular hole (on the right) and one oval shaped hole (on the left). Doesn't impact anything but when lining up the stinger script on the back, you'll need to be extra careful to cover up the oval hole.

 

[Robs]

Paint prep before ceramic coating

 

[Rufus]

I filled the rear holes with silicone as suggested by StingerGT&Me's vid. The front holes is unnecessary cause the E badges have posts that will slot in.

Here's a fun (and unproven) fact: the Canadian Stingers don't have 2 circular holes on the front and back. Instead there's one circular hole (on the right) and one oval shaped hole (on the left). Doesn't impact anything but when lining up the stinger script on the back, you'll need to be extra careful to cover up the oval hole.

My US model has that as well on the front. The OEM "Kia Motors" badge I used on mine wasn't a match for the top 2 holes either, despite the oval hole providing some lateral play in placement. Speaking of, does anyone know which specific Korean spec models use(d) that badge? It came sealed in a factory stamped and coded bag, but no clue as to vehicle(s) of origin...

 

[DaJackson]

Here's a fun (and unproven) fact: the Canadian Stingers don't have 2 circular holes on the front and back. Instead there's one circular hole (on the right) and one oval shaped hole (on the left).

US cars are the same in the rear.

 

[mev202]

US cars are the same in the rear.

Are they now... Oooo er misses. ;-)

 

[TO Turbo]

Today I took the plunge and attempted my first ever de-badge/ re-badge.

Looks great - time for a new avatar.