Debadged Rear End with Pictures

[krisirk]

A while ago I posted about debadging my 2010 Prius IV and showed the holes that the two rear emblems left. Link to the thread

I decided to remove the horizontal strip that the emblems and the Toyota logo were on and paint it glossy black. I hoped it would blend in nicely with the tinted lower rear glass.

Here's some before, during, and after pics.

Before (if it looks dirty, that's because it is):



During, note the clip holes and the opening for the hatch release/lock:



After:



I think it turned out well. I like the blue peeking out behind the blacked out emblem.

If you have any questions or comments, please post.

Kris

[greylar]

Very nice work. I like the look. How did you get the back panel off? I also did you remove any of the inside panels on the hatch? I would very much like to know how you did it so I can re-route my backup camera. I'm just a chicken and don't want to break anything.

UR Gutsy BTW

G

[SW03ES]

Different...

[krisirk]

To remove the panel on the outside, you must remove a panel on the inside. The reason is that there's four bolts on the outside panel that go through to the inside.

The panel on the inside is the lowest one on the hatch. There's an indentation that you can pry up on each side. I put a piece of folded up paper towel against the paint and pried each side up with a screwdriver. The panel is held on with yellow snap-in clips. You just need to pry hard enough to get them to snap out of their holes.

Once each side is pried up I went around down along the bottom until I got to the latch. From there you should be able to see if there's any more clips to pry up.

The outside panel is held on by a bunch of the snap-on clips as well as four bolts. Two of the bolts are in the center where the latch release/lock is located. The other two bolts are about halfway over on each side. Unclip the connector to the latch, remove the nuts holding the back on, and then pry up the clips by hand. Start at one side and work your way over prying up gently until you hear them release.

If you'd like some pictures of the procedure let me know and I'll post them.

Kris

[Flying White Dutchman]

nice

[Paradox]

Almost makes the car look a bit wider to me since the white is now that much 'thinner'. Doesn't look bad at all IMO, but I'm not daring so I'll be leaving mine alone lol.

[greylar]

Originally Posted by krisirk

To remove the panel on the outside, you must remove a panel on the inside. The reason is that there's four bolts on the outside panel that go through to the inside.

The panel on the inside is the lowest one on the hatch. There's an indentation that you can pry up on each side. I put a piece of folded up paper towel against the paint and pried each side up with a screwdriver. The panel is held on with yellow snap-in clips. You just need to pry hard enough to get them to snap out of their holes.

Once each side is pried up I went around down along the bottom until I got to the latch. From there you should be able to see if there's any more clips to pry up.

The outside panel is held on by a bunch of the snap-on clips as well as four bolts. Two of the bolts are in the center where the latch release/lock is located. The other two bolts are about halfway over on each side. Unclip the connector to the latch, remove the nuts holding the back on, and then pry up the clips by hand. Start at one side and work your way over prying up gently until you hear them release.

If you'd like some pictures of the procedure let me know and I'll post them.

Kris

Thanks for the info. I think I will try the wire re-route in a week or two. Again I have to say I really like the de-badged look and you did a really nice job on the paint. Do you have your own paint booth or did you have someone do it for you?

G

[krisirk]

Originally Posted by greylar

Thanks for the info. I think I will try the wire re-route in a week or two. Again I have to say I really like the de-badged look and you did a really nice job on the paint. Do you have your own paint booth or did you have someone do it for you?

G

I've got a paint booth at my workplace. A guy I work with has done lots of painting of machinery, mostly for a coal mine in central North Dakota. He has his own gun and did most everything for me on Saturday. However, I was the one who sanded the emblem.

He used one coat of sealer to cover the filler and then three coats of paint. We waited 30-40 minutes between coats.

As for your camera, the black plug where the factory camera is located comes off easily if you take the outer panel off. It's held in place by two tabs. It should not be too tough to put the camera there if that's your plan.

Kris

[RadioZero]

nice work!

[exbauer]

Looks great. I like debadged cars, too bad there are holes back there and so much work to fill them.