Poor Man's Toyota Badge Mod

[NoMoShocks]

OK, if you don't mind having the top of you Toyota "T" being a black hole, there is body paint color under the rear emblem. This is really just an experiment in looks for me, becuase I don't really want the void hole under the top part of the T, and I noted the badge clips are not quite tight without the plastic film in-between, so if you were going to leave it this way, you would want to add some felt bumpers under the emblem or something to make it fit snuggly again.



Rear emblem removal:
Take a Credit Card. Sears MaterCard and Amazon Visa have both worked equally well in my trials. Gently work the credit card under the emblem toward the bottom becuase the plastic clips holding it are near the top and it is easiser to insert toward the bottom.



Then carefully slide the card around to the right side of the "T". Left side may work equally well for leftys, but I have not confirmed this. Once the card is positionsed here (even with hidden clip) firmly push the credit card toward the T to deflect the clip while simultainiously pushing the badge in the same direction and genly prying up on the credit card.



As you feel the badge clips release, pull back the credit card back with a quick steady swipe or the Prius may not read it correctly. I haven't got my bill back to see how much of a charge your Prius will debit to your account, but it can't be too much as this is a Poor Mans Mod.



Now you can remove your badges, your options are many. Sand and paint the protection / window tinting guys can apply a variety of different colored vinyl films. By the way, does anyone know where I can get some thin film light emitting diode or other glow in the dark sheet material?


Credit card trick doesn't work well on front becuase it is recessed deeper into the bumper, and there is dull black plastic under the front emblem. But, once you know the position of the badge clips, if you want to remove front badge, just reach down through the hole for the hood latch with a skinny wrist and release the clips from inside.

[HeyVern]

Used your credit card technique to remove my rear badge today. Worked exactly as you described. Thanks!

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by NoMoShocks

Rear emblem removal:
Take a Credit Card. Sears MaterCard and Amazon Visa have both worked equally well in my trials. Gently work the credit card under the emblem toward the bottom becuase the plastic clips holding it are near the top and it is easiser to insert toward the bottom.

Credit card trick doesn't work well on front becuase it is recessed deeper into the bumper, and there is dull black plastic under the front emblem. But, once you know the position of the badge clips, if you want to remove front badge, just reach down through the hole for the hood latch with a skinny wrist and release the clips from inside.

What a GREAT FIND!!!! Never thought of this, and with a card the chance of paint finish scratching is minimal. And if the rear emblem is especially easy to release this way - super.

[royrose]

I followed your directions. Worked great!