Plasti-Dip and Debadged

[AtomicRobot]

I purchased the badge kit (wheels, front and back) from this site. I was fairly happy with products, except the rear Stinger badge was broken when it arrived; Still usable.

Italics above is me being an idiot and not realizing that the stinger badge is actually two pieces... *facepalm*

I hired someone to swap the badges and plasti-dip the wheels.

The wheels turned out great, but the hired [heat]gun was a little to aggressive on the front badge and ended up melting a big chunk of the paint off the plastic, big enough that the E badge couldn't cover it.

The broken Stinger badge for the rear couldn't be used to properly cover the post holes because of the precise location it broke. I don't blame anyone but the shipping company for the damage as the box was dented when it arrived. Beware: The rear Stinger badge is very delicate.

So I decided to debadge instead. And I think I really like it.

The number of drivers, cyclists and even pedestrians craning their neck around the front of the car to try to figure out what kind of car it is was pretty funny with the E badging... should be even funnier now that there's nothing to see.

Only thing I need to figure out is how to alert any tow truck driver that the car is AWD and needs to be towed with dollies so as not to damage the drive train. The bodyshop guy suggested sticking the AWD badge on the side just in front of the driver door, but I think I'll just stick it on the bottom of my license plate cover.

 

[westcoastGT]

the rear badge isnt broken it is in 2 pieces , its designed to cover the hole perfectly even without silicone

 

[AtomicRobot]

Hey everyone, I'm really sorry, when I preview the post and hit submit, it appears to double post the images...

 

[AtomicRobot]

the rear badge isnt broken it is in 2 pieces , its designed to cover the hole perfectly even without silicone

Ok, that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the heads up! I did notice that where it was "broken" the two pieces seemed to interlock. Figured it was just good luck, but realize now that I may just be an idiot.

 

[westcoastGT]

I think the total debadge looks great ! , delete your rear reflectors and you're done , how were the holes filled ?

Awesome job !

 

[AtomicRobot]

How do I delete the rear reflectors? I never even really noticed them before!

Bodyshop did the post holes... full removal of the bumper and trunk plate, filled, painted, clear coated.

They had to call in the techs from the paint company as this particular paint color doesn't exist yet, and they recreated it on the spot. I was very worried it wouldn't match up well enough and would have to do a blend into the hood, but they did very well. It's an exact match. phew!

 

[westcoastGT]

How do I delete the rear reflectors? I never even really noticed them before!

Bodyshop did the post holes... full removal of the bumper and trunk plate, filled, painted, clear coated.

They had to call in the techs from the paint company as this particular paint color doesn't exist yet, and they recreated it on the spot. I was very worried it wouldn't match up well enough and would have to do a blend into the hood, but they did very well. It's an exact match. phew!

I used 3M gloss black auto vinyl , could try Plasti Dip , but the gloss vinyl matches the bumper .................seriously the complete debadge is hot !

 

[AtomicRobot]

I used 3M gloss black auto vinyl , could try Plasti Dip , but the gloss vinyl matches the bumper .................seriously the complete debadge is hot !

Awesome, great tip, I'll definitely look into it. So basically just a vinyl overlay?

 

[westcoastGT]

Awesome, great tip, I'll definitely look into it. So basically just a vinyl overlay?

Yup , just cut out a close shape of it , lay it over the reflector apply heat with a hair dryer or delicately with a heat gun use a plastic blade to push all the air out and ensure the edges are flat then trim excess with a blade !

 

[AtomicRobot]

Yup , just cut out a close shape of it , lay it over the reflector apply heat with a hair dryer or delicately with a heat gun use a plastic blade to push all the air out and ensure the edges are flat then trim excess with a blade !

Fantastic! Just when I thought I was done futzing about with the car and could move on with my life... Guess I have my weekend booked up now

 

[westcoastGT]

Fantastic! Just when I thought I was done futzing about with the car and could move on with my life... Guess I have my weekend booked up now

it never stops , maybe plasti dip your rear stinger logo and make it the only badge , I blacked out all my rear badges , keep us posted !

 

[AtomicRobot]

it never stops , maybe plasti dip your rear stinger logo and make it the only badge , I blacked out all my rear badges , keep us posted !

I do love blacked out badges, especially after seeing yours, but now that all my badging is gone, I think I'm gonna keep it that way. I've always loved debadged cars, just never owned a nice enough one that was worth doing it to. I mean, who would debadge a jeep wrangler or a mitsubishi rvr?

I'm sure the next thing on my list will be figuring out how to get an angrier exhaust note out of the rear end, although at this point I'd just be happy to find a way to get the stereo fader from automatically moving to the rear every few starts... :\

 

[Robs]

I think the total debadge looks great ! , delete your rear reflectors and you're done , hiw were the holes filled ?

Awesome job !

Yes i was wondering where the holes went! Where they go???

 

[vsic112]

Hey Atomic, are those 19s or 18s? It’s hard for me to tell sometimes. Either way they look great.

 

[Robs]

Hey Atomic, are those 19s or 18s? It’s hard for me to tell sometimes. Either way they look great.

Those would be the stock 19" wheels

 

[AV8R]

I’d like to change my vote from yes to,YES lol!

 

[bumble bee]

Looks good!

 

[Weareblondi]

cool. what a great look without the badges. i was also thinking of doing the rims, but instead of blacking them out, i was toying with the idea of changing the color of the inserts to body color. as for the reflectors, i thought i had seen somewhere on a korean tuner that they had led rear lights that could be installed in that location.

 

[eflyguy]

I plan to cover the reflectors with 3M reflective black vinyl - it's gloss black in daylight, but when headlights hit it, it shines brightly. Same effect as street signs.

 

[Protatomonster]

Has anyone considered vinyl wrapping or using Plastidip on the front grill, I have the limited Sunset Yellow edition and I wanted to get rid of the chrome to match my Yellow and black theme. I just got the windows tinted as well. I will definitely be pastidipping the rims as well, OP do you by chance have links to the Plastidip you bought and is that a matte black or a gloss?