To debadge and red-out, or not???

I vote for debadge and smoke tint. Not crazy about the all red look, and "clears" just scream teenage-boy-racer to me.
 
I prefer debadged.

The VW scene is the same way where debadging is considered almost necessary. It's just that smooth and clean look that appeals to the eyes.



Here's mine:

Jetta3.jpg
 
I think it's kind of funny how different tastes can run. People with Corvettes seem to apply more badges to their cars. Especially ones that identify what engine is in it. Most people probably don't even know what an LT4 is, but someone will put that badge on their car to announce they have one.



To some degree I wonder if it's generally cars with smaller motors that de-badge? 325i badges, 1.8L badges, and so on. Or trim badges that identify the engine (SE, LX, etc). I suspect people don't tend to take off their AMG badges, their M badges, R badges, GT badges, etc? Or is that not a fair observation?



FWIW, I took off the "Oldsmobile" badge on the Aurora because it looked dumb. It was not symmetrical with the rest of the trunk, and the font didn't match the rest. And I took off the previous-owner-added "ZR-1" badges from my 'vette's hood, but left the factory one on the bumper.
 
Aurora40 said:
To some degree I wonder if it's generally cars with smaller motors that de-badge? 325i badges, 1.8L badges, and so on. Or trim badges that identify the engine (SE, LX, etc). I suspect people don't tend to take off their AMG badges, their M badges, R badges, GT badges, etc? Or is that not a fair observation?
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Nope. I debadged a Subaru STI and that's for sure one of the quicker cars on the street. I've also seen a good share of AMG cars that are cleaned of badging as well with the brakes the only thing left to give them away unless you really know your bodywork on those cars.
 
I think Aurora is partially right, though I think there are also two kinds of de-badgers.

Besides the people that debadge just for the cleaner look, there are also people that debadge to add to the sleeper persona. I have known of AMGs, M3s, STis, and S4s that have been debadged because the like to 'hide' from prospected street racers. Even though my VW is not a super car, people still get surprised when I tell them I have a 6-cyl in there.



I have also known many european car buffs that will add German badges to their cars. One of my biggest peeves is people that 'false badge' their vehicles. If your car is just an A4... please DO NOT buy an RS4 badge!
 
I took the "MAXIMA" off the back of my car but left the "SE" for now. The Nissan emblem leaves two holes behind if you remove it, so that is staying unless I get hit from behind and the trunk has to be repaired and repainted.



My_2002_Maxima_1st_detail_backend2.jpg
 
Debadged my '95 Camry V6 XLE



The C A M R Y letters and the Toyota "cowboy" emblem have pegs so I left those. Took off the T O Y O T A emblem and the V6 and XLE emblems. I also took off the dealer decal, and all the pinstriping that was on the car.



I just think the manufacturers/dealers put WAAAYYYY too much stuff on the car and clutter it up. Looks much cleaner without all that. I'd totally debadge if it weren't for having to fill holes and paint.



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Scottwax said:
I took the "MAXIMA" off the back of my car but left the "SE" for now. The Nissan emblem leaves two holes behind if you remove it, so that is staying unless I get hit from behind and the trunk has to be repaired and repainted.



My_2002_Maxima_1st_detail_backend2.jpg
Click to expand...



I would remove the "SE" then too, to make it more symmetrical. ;)
 
IMO, debadge it, but leave the Acura badging intact and leave the taillights alone. I think of Acura as a luxury brand and think that the badging conveys that. After all, you spent the extra money on it instead of a Civic, show it off a little.
 
What did you use to remove the adhesive from the badges? I removed a dealer badge and still have adhesive that still remains. Thanks
 
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