My trunk lid button badge was looking very tarnished and dull from years of exposure to the elements.

So I sourced a nice-looking replacement from Welsh Enterprises...

Using a box cutter blade, I carefully pried out the plastic trunk button from it's housing. It is secured with 3 double tabs and thankfully it just pops right out. There's a spring inside it.



Here's the shiny, new replacement badge, the old, miserable one still on it's button and the spring.




The button and spring look like this.




Using the box cutter, I carefully separated the old badge from the button, working gradually around the edge. The adhesive was still gummy, not brittle and loosened quite easily.




After giving the old badge and the button surface a good clean with some "intensive tar remover" and then dish washing detergent I ended up with this.

Tough decision. I was tempted by the shiny, detailed growler but ended up sticking the old one back on.

Point being, they can be cleaned up rather nicely without too much trouble and without breaking anything.

Admittedly, you could do it without even taking the button off the car for a slightly less gratifying experience.

This wasn't my idea. Thanks to previous posters on the subject.

Per

P.S.: "Clicking the image to open in full size" below does not work; in fact, it throws a browser fit. The link showed up pretty much out of it's own volition and apparently can't be edited out.

 

BRAVO!!! CE BELLA!!!!


Personally, I am happy that you chose to go with the original Growler as I'm a "Keep em' stock at all costs" kinda guy.


Good choice!!

 

The material that is used for the original button, as well as the smaller ones on our keys, is pretty soft and prone to clouding. But I have been able to spruce up a bit by using light polishing--toothpaste works pretty well.

Doug

 

Yes, I noticed that - it's almost gummy. I did go at it with some car glass polish, which didn't do very much for it. Guess I'll try Colgate :-)

 

My 2003 has 44,000 on the clock. In the two years I've owned the car (I'm the second owner) I never knew there was a 'cat' back there even though my car looks almost new. Seems the button is a dirt magnet. I cleaned my trunk button using white rubbing compound and with very good results. I never really noticed, but as mentioned, the button does feel 'gummy'. Now that it's clean it should be easy to take care of.
Thanks JagNoir for telling us there is more back there than just a black button.

 

I thought mine was black too but I noticed the cat showing through dimly one day. I had some plastic polish left from my Harley days and it cleaned up great. It even shines now!

 

Apparently we are in the Majority! I thought the button was BLACK also. Cleaned some on mine and behold "GROWLER" appeared. used fine polishing compound and a shop rag. Thanks for the "epiphany"!

 

the things you make me do at 8pm...i have released the growler! thank you for the nice tip. i will do more scrubbing tomorrow in the daytime.

 

On my 05 I bought license plate screw covers that are a Union Jack image via EBAY. Exact same diameter as the trunk button. 3M glue on the back already! Peel and stick. These covers are applied to hide the screws as an anti theft thing. Used 2 in front on the license frame
and one on the push button. I now have a spare in case it fades away.

 

Yelp a little plastic polish will shine it right up

 

Another little project to add to my list

 

i just used some 92% rubbing alcohol on a q-tip and it cleaned it up in literally 30 seconds. amazing. never would have guessed a growler was hiding there!

 

I used plastic polishing compound( meguiars plastx).... Do not get any on paint!
I taped around it first and did the grower on front of car too

took a few treatments but came out very nice

 

Someone popped mine off a couple years ago......"Stole the damn thing"...I've gone all this time without one as the Dealer said I would have to buy the entire assembly to get one....Thank God I found out about Welch's...I got one from them for about $20 bucks! Looks so good that I use my Key-Fob to open the trunk..........

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

Hi lads, do you know where can I buy the badge? There's only one at ebay now for $60 and it's the 4.0 one. I need the original for the XKR 2005. Tks

 

I am constantly thankful that I bought the Jag and for this forum. Just went out fora visit, gently wiped some dilute rubbing alcohol and bang, clean green Growler.
Thanks for all of you who contributed.

 

Hi lads, I can't find the 97% rubber alcohol in Amazon. They have 99% and 70%. Can I use one of those?

 

It's not fussy, some cutting polish does it too. Even toothpaste will probably get you a result.

 

I used baby wipes, excellent! thanks

 

Thanks for the posts as this has been very helpful. Still, I'd like to find a red background button but it seems these are no longer available on Ebay? Does anyone know where they can be sourced? I've only seen the Welsh green version with the more animated Growler.