Debadging

[Rob]

So, I'm kind of curious....I've read on other car forums that it's common for some people to debadge their cars. Why?

If I see a car on the road that I really like, but it has no badges on it, I can't tell what it is. In the case of a BMW, some owners like to pull the badges off. You can obviously tell...it's a BMW, but you can't always tell what the model is.

So what's the logic behind this?

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[b_pappy]

I debadge most of my cars, it's just a cleaner look, plus easier to wash and wax. On the XLR I did leave all the emblems in place.
Funny, years ago I had a Porsche 911, I was going to put the big rocker stripes on it, my dad looked at me an siad "If they can't tell what it by looking, I don't think foot tall lettering on the side will impress them."
Anyhow, I just like cleaner look now.
Bruce

 

[mtrocket]

So, I'm kind of curious....I've read on other car forums that it's common for some people to debadge their cars. Why?

If I see a car on the road that I really like, but it has no badges on it, I can't tell what it is. In the case of a BMW, some owners like to pull the badges off. You can obviously tell...it's a BMW, but you can't always tell what the model is.

So what's the logic behind this?

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I only debadged the sides of mine... I REALLY didn't like the "GM" badges on the rear quarters right behind the doors. And I guess I like the clean look of the sides of mine without the "XLR" badges on the fenders. I did, however, leave all the Cadillac wreaths on the car and the "XLR" on the trunk lid. And, I kept all the badges that I left off in case I ever do sell the car (as if THAT would EVER happen!), so the new owner would have them. I would say that I like the anonymity debadging brings to the car... makes onlookers REALLY wonder what it is. I've had many people ask me if it's a new model that Cadillac just came out with.

 

[TED]

When i had a bmw and my audi i wanted to de badge it to ! No more german junk for me !

 

[mtrocket]

When i had a bmw and my audi i wanted to de badge it to ! No more german junk for me !

 

[Comfortzone]

I debadged mine and really like the clean look. My XLR is light Platinum, with smoked lights, black painted grille, blacked out windows and black wheels. It has a two color really clean look to the whole car.

The only marking on the vehicle is the Cadillac badge on the grille and we coated it with one coat of taillight smoke, so it is not bright.

People ask all the time "What is it?"


I'm debating on painting the whole car matte black, when I get it out of storage in the Spring.

 

[tonypro99]

I debadged mine and really like the clean look. My XLR is light Platinum, with smoked lights, black painted grille, blacked out windows and black wheels. It has a two color really clean look to the whole car.

The only marking on the vehicle is the Cadillac badge on the grille and we coated it with one coat of taillight smoke, so it is not bright.

People ask all the time "What is it?"


I'm debating on painting the whole car matte black, when I get it out of storage in the Spring.

Why don't you just wrap it as it's easier to do and holds up great as well if you ever want to go back you just peel off the wrap No problems.

 

[Rob]

When i had a bmw and my audi i wanted to de badge it to ! No more german junk for me !

Hey now! This is my second BMW and I like them! lol

 

[Comfortzone]

Why don't you just wrap it as it's easier to do and holds up great as well if you ever want to go back you just peel off the wrap No problems.

I Inquired about the wraps and the guy around here that does them said the Matte finish wraps can scuff and show marks really easy.

My buddy that does the painting said he puts a waxable satin clear coat over the top of the paint, so it does not show marks. He does a lot of street rods and has a lot of experience with the matte finishes.

I'll look into it closer in April when I start driving it again.

 

[Crimson Pearl]

I REALLY didn't like the "GM" badges on the rear quarters right behind the doors.

My Tahoe has those same GM emblems on it and they look really good on it. However, their placement is much better on my Tahoe.

BUT, I agree with you about the placement of those GM emblems on the XLR. I don't know which year they started that, but the placement does NOT look good.

Personally, I would not consider the removal of any of the other emblems, but I can understand removing those.

Just as you, I do enjoy the occasional question of "What kind of car is that?"

 

[Comfortzone]

BUT, I agree with you about the placement of those GM emblems on the XLR. I don't know which year they started that

2006

 

[CanadianViking]

good thread, I'm thinking about debadging mine and leaving only the Cadillac logo front/rear.

 

[mtrocket]

good thread, I'm thinking about debadging mine and leaving only the Cadillac logo front/rear.

I debadged just the sides... left the XLR on the back. IMHO, I like the sides to be clean...

 

[hawkeye372]

My Tahoe has those same GM emblems on it and they look really good on it. However, their placement is much better on my Tahoe.

BUT, I agree with you about the placement of those GM emblems on the XLR. I don't know which year they started that, but the placement does NOT look good.

Personally, I would not consider the removal of any of the other emblems, but I can understand removing those.

Just as you, I do enjoy the occasional question of "What kind of car is that?"

I have only removed the dealer sticker. That was the easy part. I agree i do not like the GM badge. But as for everything else It might be harder to remove the others with out scratching the paint. Have not tried before on other cars. I still get people asking me at stop lights what is that car. I just smile and tell them XLR.

 

[BusaMan]

Easy Question for Those Who've Done It...

I have only removed the dealer sticker. That was the easy part. I agree i do not like the GM badge. But as for everything else It might be harder to remove the others with out scratching the paint. Have not tried before on other cars. I still get people asking me at stop lights what is that car. I just smile and tell them XLR.

OK, what holds on the side badges? Just double-sided tape???

Tim

 

[airmike]

I took the badges off my wifes mustang by sawing a piece of dental floss behind it. worked very well.

 

[BusaMan]

Helluva Hint

I took the badges off my wifes mustang by sawing a piece of dental floss behind it. worked very well.

I like that. I'd hate to take off a "badge" and find a hole in the car where a post went thru. When I owned a motorcycle dealership, we had some customers who wanted to debadge the Suzuki or Kawasaki cruisers. All of that badging was put on with double-sided tape, so it was no biggie. We would soften the tape with WD-40, let it sit a few minutes, then S L O W L Y pull up on both ends of the badge, and it'd come off pretty clean. The WD-40 removed the rest of the residual glue, and a plastic polish removed the WD-40. Turned out stellar.

Thanks for the idea.

Tim

 

[CanadianViking]

has anyone used a heat gun in conjunction with the fishing line/dental floss technique?

 

[mtrocket]

OK, what holds on the side badges? Just double-sided tape???

Tim

Pretty much... heat up the badge with a hair dryer/heat gun, and peel off the badges. Nothing much to it...

 

[Johnxlrv]

Agreed, the chiclet had to go. Glad that Cadillac lettering is not as obtrusive as some.