Whether your BMW badge has faded, cracked, or you're upgrading to a custom design, replacing the hood or trunk emblem is one of the easiest ways to refresh your car's appearance. The process takes only a few minutes and requires minimal tools.
In this guide, we'll show you how to safely remove your old BMW badge and install a new one without damaging your vehicle.
Things you'll need:
- Plastic trim removal tool
- Painters tape
- Isopropyl Alcohol (>70%)
- Paper or microfiber towel
- Replacement badge
Step 1: Protect your paint
Before doing anything, you must protect the surrounding paint around your badge. Use masking or painter's tape and wrap it around the paint at the edge of the badge before prying. Additionally, do not use any metal tools like metal trim removers or screwdrivers, as they will damage your paint through the tape.
Step 2: Pry carefully along the edges
Apply even pressure under the edge around your badge, and slowly circle the pressure around the badge until it lifts. Remember that most badges have alignment pins, so don't press your pry tool too far behind the badge.
Step 3: Clean behind the badge
After taking your old badge off, use Isopropyl Alcohol with a paper towel and remove the dirt buildup behind the badge, as well as any adhesive residue. Your new badge needs a clean and dry surface to adhere to.
Step 4: Install your new badge
Most replacement badges come with adhesive on their backings. If you have a VKT badge, there will be a strip of VHB tape that needs to be peeled off before installation.
Many replacement badges use alignment pins for alignment only and allow the adhesive tape to physically attach the badge to the car. This is the case for VKT badges as well.
Step 5: Let the adhesive cure
VHB adhesive takes 48-72 hours to cure, but instantly sticks after coming in contact with a surface. You are free to drive and show off your badge as soon as you are done installing, but avoid car washes for 24 hours.