De-badging. Is it naff?

keiron99 · October 4, 2016

My current car, a low spec E Class, was already "de badged" when I bought it (second hand). I don't know the motivation of the previous owner, but I personally like the clean look and it makes polishing a whole lot easier!

On Friday, I'm getting a (used) Lexus GS300h (can't wait!) and I'm minded to remove the badges (not the "L" emblem of course!) as I think it looks fussy.

But what's the general consensus? Is this the sort of thing that drivers of low spec Ford Escorts do in an attempt to kid others they have a twin turbo under the bonnet?

And if I do remove the badges (I gather a hair dryer and dental floss is the best technique), is there a risk of me damaging the paint or a mark being left?

The-Acre · October 4, 2016

I must admit I quite like the badgeless look. On an old car like mine there's too much in the way of chrome letters and numbers. If it's done carefully there shouldn't be any marks that won't polish out. Now I'm thinking, my car is pretty immaculate, would the rear end look even better without badges....hmmm

The-Acre · October 4, 2016

Being curious, and with the wonders of technology I've "removed" my badges, what's the verdict?

NemesisUK · October 4, 2016

Clean and uncluttered

cruisermark · October 4, 2016

for me it doesnt appeal especially on the lexus

however my brothers BMW 520 was debadged when new as an available option

phil put your badges back on lol

The-Acre · October 4, 2016

40 minutes ago, cruisermark said:

for me it doesnt appeal especially on the lexus

however my brothers BMW 520 was debadged when new as an available option

phil put your badges back on lol

I'm seriously torn though! With the computer I only have to revert, not so easy if I properly remove them. I may go for it, it's now 50 50!

sorcerer · October 4, 2016

Nah, stick with the badges and be proud to show the world what you've got. I don't like the 'debadged' look at all.

steveledzep · October 4, 2016

Yes, keep the badges.

Unbadged Beemers just tell me that the driver is embarrassed about the car they have as they couldn't afford the one they really wanted !!

keiron99 · October 4, 2016

Hmmm. I'm really undecided now! I like the clean look and generally couldn't care less what other people think. But on the other, hand, I don't want people to think..oh hang on, I don't care...I'll toss a coin maybe!

keiron99 · October 4, 2016

@Phil. I like it without the badges!

The-Acre · October 4, 2016

20 minutes ago, keiron99 said:

@Phil. I like it without the badges!

Help!.... The I'll look at it in the daylight tomorrow. I must admit I am very tempted, after all, they can always go back on. There is a condition, if I do mine you have to do yours, especially as you're the tempter here!😈

keiron99 · October 4, 2016

16 minutes ago, The-Acre said:

Help!.... The I'll look at it in the daylight tomorrow. I must admit I am very tempted, after all, they can always go back on. There is a condition, if I do mine you have to do yours, especially as you're the tempter here!😈

Hmmm!

If I were you I might just be a tad concerned that because your car is of a certain vintage, shall we say, that badge removal may reveal some inconsistencies in paint colour. Perhaps just remove one character first and see how it goes. You may end up with a Lexus LS43.

The-Acre · October 5, 2016

10 hours ago, keiron99 said:

Hmmm!

If I were you I might just be a tad concerned that because your car is of a certain vintage, shall we say, that badge removal may reveal some inconsistencies in paint colour. Perhaps just remove one character first and see how it goes. You may end up with a Lexus LS43.

Or an S430!

lex - eleven · October 5, 2016

There's no badge to differentiate between a standard and premium pack ls430 is there

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

Alan Partridges Left Glove · October 6, 2016

If you have an Iphone and can get a picture of the back of your car, download an app called "Retouch" it allows you to remove details on photos. Used correctly you can remove a badge from the car to show you how it will look before taking the plunge.

Below is one I did for my RCZ before getting it de-badged.

Note: the black logo was done with Plastidip spray which I'm sure all know of.

keiron99 · October 6, 2016

Looks good. Love the look of those Peugeots.

Personally, I'd also get a number plate without the dealer info at the bottom and tape the plate on rather than bolt it. (Which is what I fully intend to do when I get my GS300h delivered tomorrow. Today feels a bit like Christmas eve )

keiron99 · October 6, 2016

Incidentally - for other GS300h owners - do you have the "oversized" number plate on the rear?

royoftherovers · October 6, 2016

35 minutes ago, keiron99 said:

Looks good. Love the look of those Peugeots.

Personally, I'd also get a number plate without the dealer info at the bottom and tape the plate on rather than bolt it. (Which is what I fully intend to do when I get my GS300h delivered tomorrow. Today feels a bit like Christmas eve )

You will not be able to use those number plates for driving on the continent Keiron. You will have to affix a GB plate.

Regards

John

keiron99 · October 6, 2016

15 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

You will not be able to use those number plates for driving on the continent Keiron. You will have to affix a GB plate.

Are us Brits still allowed on the continent?

(Always fly, given I live on the doorstep of Manchester airport.)

The-Acre · October 6, 2016

14 hours ago, lex - eleven said:

There's no badge to differentiate between a standard and premium pack ls430 is there

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

No, same for all. And I am removing my badges at the weekend.

Alan Partridges Left Glove · October 6, 2016

I'll be removing mine from my black 300h F Sport when it arrives, like others I just like the clean look.

Alan Partridges Left Glove · October 6, 2016

Looks good. Love the look of those Peugeots.
Personally, I'd also get a number plate without the dealer info at the bottom and tape the plate on rather than bolt it. (Which is what I fully intend to do when I get my GS300h delivered tomorrow. Today feels a bit like Christmas eve )

It was a great car, I was one of the first in my area to have one so it got a lot of attention.

It also came with free hair straighteners.

The-Acre · October 6, 2016

8 hours ago, Alan Partridges Left Glove said:

It was a great car, I was one of the first in my area to have one so it got a lot of attention.

It also came with free hair straighteners.

What happened to Alan Partridge's right glove? I also love the look of that Peugeot, not often I would say that about a French car! What have they got under the bonnet?

Spacewagon52 · October 6, 2016

No badges says CHAV to me I am afraid! Cars without badges do make me look twice. Hence why manufacturers have logos to identify their brand.

Alan Partridges Left Glove · October 6, 2016

It was a great car, I was one of the first in my area to have one so it got a lot of attention.
It also came with free hair straighteners.

What happened to Alan Partridge's right glove? I also love the look of that Peugeot, not often I would say that about a French car! What have they got under the bonnet?

2.0 td

Heavy car with not much umph.

I like my cars unbadged so I guess for the first time in my life I'm a Chav. Not bad considering it's taken 44 years to get the title. ;)