I have been traveling a lot lately and finally got some quality time with the ole cat.

She got a wash some minor maintenance and I thought I would replace the R badges that were starting to look a little worse for wear.



I expected this would be an easy, heat gun, peal it off and apply the new badges, but it was not to be so.

When I bought the car I could tell that it had been painted all over but when I removed the old badges I found that someone had left them on the car and painted AROUND THEM.

A couple hours later after wet sanding with the superfine then rubbing it out with course and then fine compound, it looks decent. Not great, but I was able to break the edge down so that it is not too noticeable.

Seriously, WHO DOES THAT!?

Anyway, I decided to try some new style R badges that I found on eBay for a reasonable price. They seem to be well made, and look pretty good, if I do say so.

 

Did the later XKRs come with a R badge there?

 

2003+ x100 had the square R badge on the wings under the turn signal repeater.

The x150 had the stylized R on the boot that I used in place of the square badge.

 

Nice now if only I had an R to put the R badge on....

 

the R looks awesome! i am getting ready to take my faded rectangular plate off. i tried the credit card method, but is using the heat gun much better? mine is really stuck on there. did you clean with rubbing alcohol before new one is put on? any help is appreciated. thank you!

 

they look great alright , but i will warn you the green part washes off in no time .
i done mine over a year ago and with in 3 washes all three had lost there green .
it flakes off in one large rectangle piece . so no etch was used .
almost as if the chines that made them oiled the chrome before painting them .
although the red squares stay on good .
i guess you get what you pay for .

 

Heat gun is HIGHLY recommended. Makes removing them much easier, and a lot less likely to do damage in the process. You can even use a hair dryer in a pinch, any amount of heat helps.


Mine are still holding up well, 2+ years and still going strong. Mileage may vary for all that ebay stuff I guess.

 

Be careful with a heatgun on plastic emblems as they will melt very easily. I would only use a heatgun on metal emblems.

Adhesive removers that contain naptha work better than alcohol.

 

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Charlie - I think you did a great job... I definitely can't tell from the picture that you had any issues with the emblem / paint. Great job!

 

i ordered mine from Mina Gallery, i believe they are metal...they are a different size than original, so I hope they come out ok...
Thank you for the heat gun tips!

 

My "R"'s still look great after 11 years! They only come on XKR's with the "R" Performance Package.....You shouldn't put them on if the car didn't come with that package!
The best way to remove emblems that are stuck on is with Fishing line. Work it under the edge of the emblem and then work it back and forth as you pull it under the emblem. It will soon pop-off.....

Billy Clyde in Houston