Will/would/have you rebadge(d) your Stinger?

[MerlintheMad]

I hear you Lawrence. Hardly any bowties. But......do a little research and you'll find Chevrolet is contemplating returning to the bowtie for the Corvette as they did in returning the Stingray name. The bow tie is Iconic. Perhaps the KIA badge too would have become Iconic if they decided to keep it like Fords iconic swirling hand written style badge. Old does not always mean out dated like a previous poster mentioned.

I just found out (15 little known facts about Kia Motors) that Ford contracted with Kia to build Ford vehicles in South Korea; thus resurrecting Kia's civilian vehicle production (they had been reduced to only military vehicles during the dictatorship). So, is it likely that the oval KIA badge has been a nod of appreciation to Ford all these years for the "alliance"? If so, it makes the oval KIA badge even more iconic.

 

[Ozstung]

I'm a bad badger.

 

[Ozstung]

What the??? There's 4 of them

 

[Hairy]

Those of us that " Rebadge " are not embarrassed at all by the Kia badge. In Korea they come out with different badges, Stingers have the " E " on the front which means " Engineered with excellence " and the large Stinger Script on the back. The ' Kia ' badges which stand for " Arising out of Asia " are only put on the imported stock.
We own a Cerato which has totally stock badging. Many of us like the alternative badges for the Stinger and feel as Kia's top, performance sedan it was worthy of a badge that makes it stand out from regular stock, ie, like " Lexus " for Toyota or " genesis " for Hyundai.
That is all, Kia is a great Brand, Iv'e owned Kia's for the last 7 years and they have proven to be very reliable.

Hi Flame Angel, i was talking to a mate from Perth today. He was a wealth of information and said you were very happy with your ceramic coat. I was wondering where you got it done and if you don't mind, how much it cost. I live in Melbourne and hopefully pick my Stinger up next week. Ceramic Grey and Red interior.
Thanks in advance.
Hairy

 

[Flameangel]

Hi @Hairy, got it done at Bon Viviant automotive care in Williamstown by “ Anthony” we had paint correction done, PPF and ceramic coating , it cost $3500 .

 

[Disco]

Late to the thread, but figured I'd add my mod: I did the E badge up front, and the dark chrome vintage K logo out back.

My thought with the dark chrome was it would match the rest of the dark chrome on the car. Unfortunately, from the back, it's the only visible dark chrome, and the Stinger script, GT and AWD badges are brighter, so it's a little incongruous. If I did it again, I'd do the bright chrome vintage K.

Also not embarrassed by the Kia badge, but it's not the most attractive brand badge ever (obviously my personal opinion). There is also a Kia badge on every wheel and the steering wheel hub, so I feel like there's enough Kia on the car.

 

[stung cb]

I just found out (15 little known facts about Kia Motors) that Ford contracted with Kia to build Ford vehicles in South Korea; thus resurrecting Kia's civilian vehicle production (they had been reduced to only military vehicles during the dictatorship). So, is it likely that the oval KIA badge has been a nod of appreciation to Ford all these years for the "alliance"? If so, it makes the oval KIA badge even more iconic.

Ditto.
Just my opinion and folks can do what ever pleases them but, leave the badge as is. "dance with the one who brought you"
Would you change the Audi circles things or the Mercedes asterisk? As late as the 1970's Audi was considered German junk and Mercedes wasn't much better. Back then, people started wanting Japanese and I don't recall anybody rebadging.
Again......just my opinion. Some of you think the KIA badge is ugly or an embarrassment or is out dated. I do not but I respect your opinion.

 

[Lupe The Yung Gawg]

Hi sorry i'm new here so i am not sure if this is the right thread but i swapped all of my exterior KIA emblems last week for the Korean OEM "E" badge on the front and for the larger stinger rear emblem. I had all of this work done by a professional who has removed 100s if not 1000s of badges for me in the past on my fleet of company trucks for wraps. Long story short upon removing EVERY SINGLE ONE of the original badges paint came up upon removal. After the original Kia badging was removed there was clear signs of drip where the original were along with some significant paint removal. But if you run your finger over where the original emblems were you can feel and see the original emblems in the paint. There is a drip textured left in their absence. I have been told by numerous paint professionals that this is most likely caused by the emblems being applied too early before properly letting the factory paint on the car set and dry. I have contacted KIA to try to see if this can be covered under my paint warranty and they asked me to provide them with pictures and said they would get back to me. So far i have not heard back from them has anyone else had experience like this upon removing their factory emblems?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Hi sorry i'm new here so i am not sure if this is the right thread but i swapped all of my exterior KIA emblems last week for the Korean OEM "E" badge on the front and for the larger stinger rear emblem. I had all of this work done by a professional who has removed 100s if not 1000s of badges for me in the past on my fleet of company trucks for wraps. Long story short upon removing EVERY SINGLE ONE of the original badges paint came up upon removal. After the original Kia badging was removed there was clear signs of drip where the original were along with some significant paint removal. But if you run your finger over where the original emblems were you can feel and see the original emblems in the paint. There is a drip textured left in their absence. I have been told by numerous paint professionals that this is most likely caused by the emblems being applied too early before properly letting the factory paint on the car set and dry. I have contacted KIA to try to see if this can be covered under my paint warranty and they asked me to provide them with pictures and said they would get back to me. So far i have not heard back from them has anyone else had experience like this upon removing their factory emblems? View attachment 38986 View attachment 38986 View attachment 38986 View attachment 38987 View attachment 38988 View attachment 38987 View attachment 38986 View attachment 38987 View attachment 38988

Hello, and welcome. Nasty first post, there!

Yes, your experience echoes others; and the theory of "applied badges too soon" also. Kia will cover this (if you are calm and handle them with kid gloves, as it were, you'll get farther, quicker).

 

[Lupe The Yung Gawg]

Hello, and welcome. Nasty first post, there!

Yes, your experience echoes others; and the theory of "applied badges too soon" also. Kia will cover this (if you are calm and handle them with kid gloves, as it were, you'll get farther, quicker).

I know it is hideous and i am ashamed and embarrassed lol. Thank you this makes me feel slightly better.

 

[Pumbaa]

Very happy with my Newly Re-badged Orange Machine... Nobody knows what it is, I get lots of Puzzled looks and people pulling up at the lights and staring...

 

[stung cb]

Very happy with my Newly Re-badged Orange Machine... Nobody knows what it is, I get lots of Puzzled looks and people pulling up at the lights and staring...

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I know what it is. Can you say Edsel?

 

[OliverNuther]

Ditto.
Just my opinion and folks can do what ever pleases them ......I respect your opinion.

I know what it is. Can you say Edsel?

That didn’t last long. What happened to folks can do whatever pleases them?

 

[stung cb]

That didn’t last long. What happened to folks can do whatever pleases them?

They can. So what is your point? No opinions allowed?

 

[OliverNuther]

They can. So what is your point? No opinions allowed?

In one breath you support a person’s right to individualise their car as they see fit then you compare his car/badge to an Edsel. How is that a positive comment?

 

[stung cb]

In one breath you support a person’s right to individualise their car as they see fit then you compare his car/badge to an Edsel. How is that a positive comment?

It was my opinion. An opinion. Opinions are just a point of view. In my opinion the KIA E very much resembles the Edsel E.
Forums are for discussions of both facts and opinions. (just my opinion ha!,ha!)

 

[OliverNuther]

It was my opinion. An opinion. Opinions are just a point of view. In my opinion the KIA E very much resembles the Edsel E.
Forums are for discussions of both facts and opinions. (just my opinion ha!,ha!)

Yes, well it certainly reinforces the old saying about opinions being like arseholes.

 

[stung cb]

Yes, well it certainly reinforces the old saying about opinions being like arseholes.

You say that word like you have a mouth full of hot marbles. Got to go now to throw some shrimp on Barbie!

 

[Alagos]

I asked my dealer because I don’t trust in myself doing it .. my dealer refuses since they tried it one time and they damaged the hatch so it had to be repainted ..
i guess they might do it but only If I pay myself for a repaint in case of a damage .. and yeah .. since they damaged my top inside with hot glue while setting in a new windshield..
Let’s say I guess I’m cursed and so.. I’m staying with kia logos ..

 

[AUStingerGT]

I did mine last week, OEM E logo on the front, GT wheel overlay and 14” stinger logo on the back. Looks badass.

Personal preference I guess, I love the Kia name and how they made this epic car, but I really dislike the look of the Kia logo.

hey mate. I took the front Kia badge off today pretty easily, however I can still see the oval outline on the black paint. Any tips on what product to use to get it off?