jwaters943
Been here awhile...
All emblems available here: Hyundai Genesis Wing Badges and Emblems Catalog - Genesis Owners
I've had quite a few people ask me how hard it was to install the KDM Genesis Wing Emblems so I thought I would do a writeup on the process for those who plan on installing these emblems.
Let me preface this by saying that I wish I would have taken more pics detailing the entire process, but since I did not, I will do my best to thoroughly describe how I went about removing the "H" emblem on the rear and installing the Wing emblems on my Genesis (front and rear).
Step 1 (Removal of the "H" emblem):
You will need a blow dryer and some dental floss or fishing wire. Make sure area around the emblem is clean and free of debris/dust so as to avoid any minor scratching of the paint.
Begin by using the blow dryer to heat up the "H" emblem up. You could also sit the car in the sun on a hot day for a few hours. This will make the adhesive backing on the emblem more pliable. Work the dental floss under one edge of the badge with an up and down motion. The floss with effectively, if slowly, "cut" through the adhesive on the underside of the emblem. Once you get near the middle of the emblem, do the same thing on the other side. Please note: You will not be able to work the floss all the way to the center of the "H" emblem as there are 2 small plastic tabs that are inserted into holes in the trunk lid. Once you have effectively separated most of the adhesive from the paint using the dental floss, you can use a plastic card (e.g. something similar to a credit card that you aren't afraid to ruin) to pry the badge off the hood. It may take a bit of force, but be patient and it should come off without much trouble. If needed, use some polish/wax to remove any remaining residue.
Holes left on trunk lid after removal of "H" emblem:
Step 2 (Preparing your Wing Emblems for Installation):
The KDM Wing Emblems come with large circular posts/tabs on the underside. In Korea the hood and trunk lid must have large holes that these can be inserted into. Since drilling on my new car isn't an option for me (or anyone I know for that matter), you will need to remove these tabs prior to installation. Short of a Dremmel Tool, I can't think of any way to safely and thoroughly remove these tabs without damaging the rest of the emblem. Luckily I was able to borrow my uncle's Dremmel Tool and it took about 5-10 minutes to remove the plastic tabs on both emblems. Once you have the removed the emblems I recommend you fill in the inner portion of of the back of the emblem with heavy duty stick tape. The sticky tape is more than enough to hold the badge securely in place, but still allows removal at a later date, if needed. This may be of importance to those of you who are leasing. Be advised: The holes in the trunk lid are not the same size/shape as the tabs on the underside of the Wing emblem. I just added more sticky tape over the holes in the trunk so that water wouldn't get in.
Step 3 (Installing the Wing Emblems):
Clean both the hood and the trunk lid installation area with rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining oils and ensure a proper bond. The front emblem is easiest to install. Simply line up the middle pointy edge of the Wing emblem with the center bar of the grill. Be sure to take your time to ensure the wings are evenly aligned (you may want to use a tape measure). On the rear emblem I simply measured from each end of the tunk lid and found the middle. Once you are certain you have the emblem in the spot you want it you can outline the emblem with a washable marker (it won't work that well on the paint, but it should be just enough to give a faint outline of where the emblem should be placed). Simply remove the sticky tape backing and place emblem on the hood/trunk. Be sure to press firmly on the emblem and hold it in place for at least a few seconds before releasing. You want to make sure the sticky tape is really stuck to the paint.
Before:
After:
Honestly, it's a LOT simpler than it sounds. It just takes a bit of time and patience. The hardest part of the entire process is removing the plastic tabs, but as long as you have to right tools, it's still pretty easy. I'm really happy with how they look....they "complete" the look of the exterior. The front especially looks a bit too bare with no emblem IMO.
I've had quite a few people ask me how hard it was to install the KDM Genesis Wing Emblems so I thought I would do a writeup on the process for those who plan on installing these emblems.
Let me preface this by saying that I wish I would have taken more pics detailing the entire process, but since I did not, I will do my best to thoroughly describe how I went about removing the "H" emblem on the rear and installing the Wing emblems on my Genesis (front and rear).
Step 1 (Removal of the "H" emblem):
You will need a blow dryer and some dental floss or fishing wire. Make sure area around the emblem is clean and free of debris/dust so as to avoid any minor scratching of the paint.
Begin by using the blow dryer to heat up the "H" emblem up. You could also sit the car in the sun on a hot day for a few hours. This will make the adhesive backing on the emblem more pliable. Work the dental floss under one edge of the badge with an up and down motion. The floss with effectively, if slowly, "cut" through the adhesive on the underside of the emblem. Once you get near the middle of the emblem, do the same thing on the other side. Please note: You will not be able to work the floss all the way to the center of the "H" emblem as there are 2 small plastic tabs that are inserted into holes in the trunk lid. Once you have effectively separated most of the adhesive from the paint using the dental floss, you can use a plastic card (e.g. something similar to a credit card that you aren't afraid to ruin) to pry the badge off the hood. It may take a bit of force, but be patient and it should come off without much trouble. If needed, use some polish/wax to remove any remaining residue.
Holes left on trunk lid after removal of "H" emblem:

Step 2 (Preparing your Wing Emblems for Installation):
The KDM Wing Emblems come with large circular posts/tabs on the underside. In Korea the hood and trunk lid must have large holes that these can be inserted into. Since drilling on my new car isn't an option for me (or anyone I know for that matter), you will need to remove these tabs prior to installation. Short of a Dremmel Tool, I can't think of any way to safely and thoroughly remove these tabs without damaging the rest of the emblem. Luckily I was able to borrow my uncle's Dremmel Tool and it took about 5-10 minutes to remove the plastic tabs on both emblems. Once you have the removed the emblems I recommend you fill in the inner portion of of the back of the emblem with heavy duty stick tape. The sticky tape is more than enough to hold the badge securely in place, but still allows removal at a later date, if needed. This may be of importance to those of you who are leasing. Be advised: The holes in the trunk lid are not the same size/shape as the tabs on the underside of the Wing emblem. I just added more sticky tape over the holes in the trunk so that water wouldn't get in.
Step 3 (Installing the Wing Emblems):
Clean both the hood and the trunk lid installation area with rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining oils and ensure a proper bond. The front emblem is easiest to install. Simply line up the middle pointy edge of the Wing emblem with the center bar of the grill. Be sure to take your time to ensure the wings are evenly aligned (you may want to use a tape measure). On the rear emblem I simply measured from each end of the tunk lid and found the middle. Once you are certain you have the emblem in the spot you want it you can outline the emblem with a washable marker (it won't work that well on the paint, but it should be just enough to give a faint outline of where the emblem should be placed). Simply remove the sticky tape backing and place emblem on the hood/trunk. Be sure to press firmly on the emblem and hold it in place for at least a few seconds before releasing. You want to make sure the sticky tape is really stuck to the paint.
Before:


After:


Honestly, it's a LOT simpler than it sounds. It just takes a bit of time and patience. The hardest part of the entire process is removing the plastic tabs, but as long as you have to right tools, it's still pretty easy. I'm really happy with how they look....they "complete" the look of the exterior. The front especially looks a bit too bare with no emblem IMO.
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