MikeNSX

I'd like to remove the A8 and 4.2 and quattro labels/numbers from my trunk lid without damaging the paint. It appears that they are just stuck on.. Or, do they have pins through the metal.

If just held on with adhesive, can they be easily removed without paint damage? How?

Thanks

MP4.2+6.0

There are no pins on modern Audi badges.

Std. technique is heat the bage area with a hair dryer for a minute or so. Take some dental floss and work it behind to cut through the adhesive. Just use fingers and fingernails to work loose.

When it's off, it will leave a lot of adhesive in the badge outline. Remove what you can with fingernail and some heat. Move on to an adhesive remover like Goo Gone or 3M Adhesive Remover (I buy it at WestMarine for boat stickers).

When all clean, a little wax and should look unscathed and smooth.

Eric5412

2nd that. That's how I did mine on my A6..

Just keep in mind the age and condition of the paint. You could be left with an outline if the car is not like new because the paint under the badges will be like new.

MikeNSX

Thanks. I don't think my 2 year old brilliant black paint will show an outline. I need to decide if I want to do it. I think I'd like the stealth look, but the next owner may not, making my car harder to sell when the time comes.

MP4.2+6.0

Search ebay and you can find the badges constantly--$15ish as I remember each, give or take a bit. They come with the adhesive ready to go. Thus easy to restore accurately as long as you pay attention to the relative positioning on the trunk. Body shops do it all the time of course.

One of the other subtle ones I did on my A6 4.2 was to delete the model badge, the 4.2 and the quattro plate, retain the center rings (most people who de-badge keep those), and then use a "quattro" badge where it was done in the silver raised lettering from a mid 90's Audi 90. The version I used was about 3/4 of an inch high and 3 inches wide. There is another one like twice that size, but that seemed garish. Was in the factory lettering style of course, since it was an OEM part. Using some kind of quattro helps at CA chain checks in the Sierras too. Of course on that car, the fender flares told anyone who knew the model it was a 4.2.

A problem though in the US is debadging seems associated with "underendowed" cars. Certainly seems the case with Bimmers I see where the wimp exhaust or undersized wheels for the higher performance models are usually the easy visual giveaway. Then I laugh at it, not think it's cool. See it sometimes with smaller Audi's too. In Europe, some do that, but a lot of the big dogs do too to lower their profile. Given the trend to exposed exhaust, for people who know the cars, it's usually still obvious what's under the hood.

ModestW12

Thanks all who contributed to this thread.

I've been considering removing or better yet moving the W12 badge on both front wheel panels to the back of the read door chrome/bumper strip, like I've seen on earlier model W12's. I like it better because it still designates the car but does it in a more more modest location.

It's good to know the changes can be reversed if need be.

FlyTyinFool

Going black on the Audi rings a little while back. I didn't do it but in the research process came across this video that you might find helpful...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBbP1ul_vCY

bac2h

Mike..did it on my 4 year old black paint and it didn't show. Once you get them off you will need a little Goof Off or 3m adhesive remover to get any residual adhesive off. Once that's done a little cleaner and wax and you'll never know they were there. As far as resale goes....I've debadged just about every car I've had and I can honestly say not one person ever mentioned it when I was selling them.