Bye Bye Badges

MA78 · 03-04-2011, 01:35 PM

Decided to de-badge my car today. I think it looks so much better!

BIMMER UK 76 · 03-04-2011, 01:38 PM

+1 on the rear X3 badge but....

I quite like the 2 front door badges, mine will be staying

We have a no cost option to de-badge in the UK when ordering, is it the same your side of the pond?

MA78 · 03-04-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIMMER UK 76

+1 on the rear X3 badge but....

I quite like the 2 front door badges, mine will be staying

We have a no cost option to de-badge in the UK when ordering, is it the same your side of the pond?

Nope, we don't have that option here. It's unfortunate. would have saved my 45 minutes of work.

I don't like the door badges. They're too much for me. I just think it looks so much cleaner this way. And it will be a lot easier to detail without all those badges.

X5plug-in · 03-04-2011, 01:54 PM

Ta pics. I have ordered debadged as to me they spoil the lines of most cars and I already know the specification. Others can have fun guessing or more likely not care.

MA78 · 03-04-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X3buyerScotland

Ta pics. I have ordered debadged as to me they spoil the lines of most cars and I already know the specification. Others can have fun guessing or more likely not care.

People who care will be able to tell I'm driving a 35i when I rev the engine a bit. :P

ktjernstrom · 03-04-2011, 03:43 PM

Looks real nice, thanks for sharing!

Karl

Razel · 03-04-2011, 05:52 PM

What did you use? Dental floss and some rubbing compound? Really curious about doing this ...

MA78 · 03-04-2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razel

What did you use? Dental floss and some rubbing compound? Really curious about doing this ...

Dental floss, hair dryer and some IPO alcohol. It's really quite simple. Just heat up the area and then slid the badges off with the floss. Clean up the residue with the alcohol.

Razel · 03-04-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA78

Dental floss, hair dryer and some IPO alcohol. It's really quite simple. Just heat up the area and then slid the badges off with the floss. Clean up the residue with the alcohol.

Thanks.

Nahoa · 03-04-2011, 07:30 PM

That straight forward? I'm not really so great when it comes to detailed handy work. I'd love to get the badges off, but I'm terrified of messing it up. Any more details to how you did it that would help a novice like me get it done right?

kmarei · 03-04-2011, 08:13 PM

Wait
What kind of car is that?

Nahoa · 03-04-2011, 08:17 PM

Looked like an X3M to me . . . are those in production yet? I hear they have 850 hp . . .

MA78 · 03-04-2011, 09:25 PM

Step 1: Pick a starting point and heat that piece with a blow dryer for about 2 minutes.

Step 2: Slide a length of dental floss (un-waxed if possible) behind the badge and gently work it across.

Step 3: Peel off any remaining residue with your fingers.

Step 4: Use IPO Alcohol of some Goof Off to get all the sticky crap off your paint.

It's really that simply. The badges are basically stickers. Some take a little more finesse than others, but that's really all there is to it.

Lotus7 · 03-04-2011, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA78

Step 1: Pick a starting point and heat that piece with a blow dryer for about 2 minutes.

Step 2: Slide a length of dental floss (un-waxed if possible) behind the badge and gently work it across.

Step 3: Peel off any remaining residue with your fingers.

Step 4: Use IPO Alcohol of some Goof Off to get all the sticky crap off your paint.

It's really that simply. The badges are basically stickers. Some take a little more finesse than others, but that's really all there is to it.

OR you can spend 10 minutes in PhotoShop.

Nahoa · 03-05-2011, 06:57 AM

Thanks for the additional details. The blow dryer is your standard hair kind and not one of those heat guns, yes?

I'll go the photoshop route if I somehow screw something up taking them off . . . .

MA78 · 03-05-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Thanks for the additional details. The blow dryer is your standard hair kind and not one of those heat guns, yes?

I'll go the photoshop route if I somehow screw something up taking them off . . . .

Standard hair dryer. Ours is a Panasonic. :P

sblove · 03-05-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA78

Decided to de-badge my car today. I think it looks so much better!

Looks great! I'm picking mine up next week after I get back from Europe. I asked my dealer to do this (both side and back) and they said it's no problem. Hope it looks as good as yours!

X3forMe · 03-05-2011, 11:24 AM

Looks naked without the badges, lol. But it should be easier to wax the car now without them.

jijioben · 03-05-2011, 01:54 PM

Idle question: should one decide to remove the badges say two years after purchase, would the process be more difficult as the adhesive hardens? I like them on for now but I'm not sure about the future...

BIMMER UK 76 · 03-05-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jijioben

Idle question: should one decide to remove the badges say two years after purchase, would the process be more difficult as the adhesive hardens? I like them on for now but I'm not sure about the future...

Not sure if the adhesive hardens more than standard cure, probably penetrates paint and would tarnish/dull the glossy paintwork

jijioben · 03-05-2011, 02:02 PM

I had not thought of that Bimmer UK 76. Makes a lot of sense. In that case I'll stick with the badges... this time

.

BIMMER UK 76 · 03-05-2011, 02:05 PM

Its not to say the paintwork couldnt be polished - I would recommend removing at new or asking dealer to oblige

Do a search on you tube and there is loads of videos showing badge removal including pitfalls and final buffing

My badges will be staying (de-badged E60 on original order and did a diy on previous Jag) but I like the door badges on new X3

03-04-2011, 01:35 PM	#1
MA78 TK-421 18 Rep 610 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Bye Bye Badges Decided to de-badge my car today. I think it looks so much better!
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03-04-2011, 01:38 PM	#2
BIMMER UK 76 Major 48 Rep 1,089 Posts Drives: BMW F25 X3 20d SE Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	+1 on the rear X3 badge but.... I quite like the 2 front door badges, mine will be staying We have a no cost option to de-badge in the UK when ordering, is it the same your side of the pond? __________________ BMW F25 X3 xDRIVE 20d SE Black Sapphire \| Oyster Leather \| Fineline Sienna Wood \| 307 V Spokes \| Auto \| Prof Multimedia Package \| xLine Package \| Xenons \| Business Radio \| Sports Steering Wheel \| Sports Seats \| Panoramic Sunroof \| Sun Protection Glass \| Sun Blinds \| Folding Ext. Mirrors + Titanium Grille \| Chrome Exhaust Trim \| Mudflaps
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03-04-2011, 01:54 PM	#4
X5plug-in Lieutenant 72 Rep 532 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Ta pics. I have ordered debadged as to me they spoil the lines of most cars and I already know the specification. Others can have fun guessing or more likely not care.
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03-04-2011, 03:43 PM	#6
ktjernstrom Private 3 Rep 92 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Xdrive20d 2011 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Looks real nice, thanks for sharing! Karl __________________ 2011 BMW X3 Xdrive20d - Alpine white w/ matte white vinyl wrap, black grille and rails and tinted windows all around, automatic, 19" 309:s, black Nevada, sports seats, Comfort package (xenons, PDC, light package), rear view camera, folding mirrors
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03-04-2011, 05:52 PM	#7
Razel Rider and driver 141 Rep 506 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Oregon City, OR iTrader: (0)	What did you use? Dental floss and some rubbing compound? Really curious about doing this ... __________________ 2021 X3 MC I work for Keyser Söze
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03-04-2011, 07:30 PM	#10
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	That straight forward? I'm not really so great when it comes to detailed handy work. I'd love to get the badges off, but I'm terrified of messing it up. Any more details to how you did it that would help a novice like me get it done right? __________________
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03-04-2011, 08:13 PM	#11
kmarei Major General 685 Rep 6,845 Posts Drives: 2018 Audi RS5 coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Reston, VA iTrader: (34) Garage List 2018 Audi RS5 [0.00]	Wait What kind of car is that?
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03-04-2011, 08:17 PM	#12
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Looked like an X3M to me . . . are those in production yet? I hear they have 850 hp . . . __________________
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03-04-2011, 09:25 PM	#13
MA78 TK-421 18 Rep 610 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Step 1: Pick a starting point and heat that piece with a blow dryer for about 2 minutes. Step 2: Slide a length of dental floss (un-waxed if possible) behind the badge and gently work it across. Step 3: Peel off any remaining residue with your fingers. Step 4: Use IPO Alcohol of some Goof Off to get all the sticky crap off your paint. It's really that simply. The badges are basically stickers. Some take a little more finesse than others, but that's really all there is to it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-05-2011, 06:57 AM	#15
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the additional details. The blow dryer is your standard hair kind and not one of those heat guns, yes? I'll go the photoshop route if I somehow screw something up taking them off . . . . __________________
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03-05-2011, 11:24 AM	#18
X3forMe Old Member 3 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 28i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Mississauga iTrader: (0)	Looks naked without the badges, lol. But it should be easier to wax the car now without them.
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03-05-2011, 01:54 PM	#19
jijioben Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2011 F25 X3 35i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Idle question: should one decide to remove the badges say two years after purchase, would the process be more difficult as the adhesive hardens? I like them on for now but I'm not sure about the future...
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03-05-2011, 02:02 PM	#21
jijioben Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2011 F25 X3 35i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I had not thought of that Bimmer UK 76. Makes a lot of sense. In that case I'll stick with the badges... this time .
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03-05-2011, 02:05 PM	#22
BIMMER UK 76 Major 48 Rep 1,089 Posts Drives: BMW F25 X3 20d SE Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Its not to say the paintwork couldnt be polished - I would recommend removing at new or asking dealer to oblige Do a search on you tube and there is loads of videos showing badge removal including pitfalls and final buffing My badges will be staying (de-badged E60 on original order and did a diy on previous Jag) but I like the door badges on new X3 __________________ BMW F25 X3 xDRIVE 20d SE Black Sapphire \| Oyster Leather \| Fineline Sienna Wood \| 307 V Spokes \| Auto \| Prof Multimedia Package \| xLine Package \| Xenons \| Business Radio \| Sports Steering Wheel \| Sports Seats \| Panoramic Sunroof \| Sun Protection Glass \| Sun Blinds \| Folding Ext. Mirrors + Titanium Grille \| Chrome Exhaust Trim \| Mudflaps
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