DiamondNoir2K5

There's plenty of threads about de-badging, but I'm looking for any tips on re-badging.

I'm removing the KOMPRESSOR from my trunk and putting smaller kompressor badges on my fenders instead.

Any advice on how to prep and line things up so it goes on straight? Right now I plan on:

1. Dawn the area.
2. Clay the area.
3. Put a strip of strong clear tape (like packing tape) over the letters, and then peeling the letters away from the waxy backing so the front of the letters are all stuck together on my strip of tape. That way they keep the same spacing and I won't have to apply the letters one by one.
4. Put down a strip of masking tape on the area as a guide.
5. Stick the letters on, then carefully peel the strip of tape away.

Anybody who has done this before have any advice? I know FrankW has reapplied his fender badges on his C32, how did you determine the spacing?

Thanks!

awiner

One thing you may want to do is buy the template from your dealer. That way the badges will be lined up to factory spec.

New unused emblems come on a tack stripe all lined up for you as well.

Your right on the cue with your idea about stripping the wax/etc. off before applying.

DiamondNoir2K5

I didn't know they had templates, but now that I think about it, I guess that makes sense. Only problem is I'm using badges from an SLK230 on a C230, so that won't really work. (Don't worry badge police, I'm not using the V6 part of the badge.)

Yeah, that's what I got from the dealer. So all I have to worry about is placement.

awiner

In the case use tape as a guide as you first explained. Use a level to make sure the tape guide is level and plumb.

DiamondNoir2K5

Yes, I was actually going to go to Home Depot tomorrow morning to find a small level to do that.

What does "plumb" mean, exactly?

CitronC230K_03

plumb means level and straight.

awiner

Plumb is to vertical as level is to horizontal.

DiamondNoir2K5

Oh. So it doesn't mean anything different from just "level".

CitronC230K_03

so that would be straight then yeah. everytime i think of plumb i think of straight and level. like a 90 degree angle.

DiamondNoir2K5

How could something be one but not the other? Like how could you be level without being plumb, or vice versa?

It seems to me that if something is level, it must necessarily be plumb too.

CitronC230K_03

thats my thinking.

wingless

Plumb is from the tool plumb bob. It is a weight that is attached to a string. The weight would come to a point. The tool would permit vertical alignment in the eons prior to laser beams.

As such: "plumb" is a vertical reference. This is contrasted with a level, which provides a horizontal reference. Similar, but different.

amdeutsch

Look at it from this point of view. If all your letters were italics and you leveled them would they also be plumb?

jscavo

I put (small) kompressor on my drive/pass.) fenders. After much measuring and finding placement I applied the masking tape as a guideline for where the emblem should be placed on the fender. Then I cut the emblem wax paper in half so the bottom of all the letters was exposed but the top half of the letters were still held together to keep spacing. Stuck the letters on the fender and slowly remove the remaining paper. This allows for minor adjustment. will post pic soon.

cracker123

badge police, lol pretty funny

jlm003

If I see one more reference regarding the intricacies of plumb and level , here's what I'm going to do to the next guy...

CitronC230K_03

that's funny!

now lets get bob vila on the phone for "this old kompressor"

DiamondNoir2K5

Good point. In fact, they are in italics. So I guess my badge will be level, but not plumb, I suppose.

DiamondNoir2K5

Wow, someone else with likeminded thinking!

How did you cut the wax paper in half with the letters still on it? It seems easier to do what I was planning, put a strip of strong tape over the front face of the letters and peel them off the backing together to expose their adhesive...

jlm003

Well I warned you DiamondNoir2K5!!! Sooooooooooooooo...

DiamondNoir2K5

PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL PLUMB LEVEL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

(I just want to see what hilarious image you'll come up with next. )

jlm003

OK, so I won't ***** slap you but I will give you this piece of advice...

CitronC230K_03

oops, didnt think about that. it was a plumb though!

DiamondNoir2K5

Um, following the previous post, that image might be misterpreted as something else.

DiamondNoir2K5

Picked up a level at the store today (where btw I saw two guys in an all-out shouting match because a Z4 had backed into a 350Z, looked like they were about to kill each other!).

What do you think about alignment, should the fender badge be level to the ground, or parallel to the side impact/rub strip? On my '05 sedan, the side strip is angled down ever so slightly toward the front...