Plasti-dip Rear STI Emblem

**DFLu** · 10-08-2012 11:39 AM

I just wanted to post a modification I did to my car today. I have a Red Hatchback STI and I didn't like the look of the red car with the red STI emblem on rear door. I wanted the STI emblem to stand out so I debadged the car, plasti-dipped the STI emblem, and re-attached only the STI emblem.

**rexxx0486** · 10-08-2012 11:40 AM

Looks good! I used this stuff on my MR2 and it came out nice as well. You gotta love the fact that it peels off if you change your mind.

**Calvinball** · 10-08-2012 11:47 AM

Looks good! Nice little touch to make your car stand out a bit. Are you planning on doing any other black accents?

**DFLu** · 10-08-2012 12:40 PM

Thanks Rexxx. You are right about the fact that I can peel it off when I want. I first plasti-dipped the emblem and then added the tape to the back. When I was cutting the tape to fit the emblem I accidentally scrapped off some of the plasti-dip. I didn't get mad at all because I just peeled off the original and re-applied the plasti-dip.

**DFLu** · 10-08-2012 12:49 PM

Thanks Calvinball. I plan on blacking out the side fender STI emblems and the exhaust finisher (that silver piece above the exhaust tip). From reading the forums, I am not going to use the plasti-dip on the exhaust finisher because the heat from the exhaust will melt the plasti-dip off. Additionally, I am getting red/smoke overlays for the tail lights. I know that isn't a black accent, but my goal is to make the car exterior the black on red look. I think the main problem will be my headlights. I don't have the confidence to bake my headlights to take them apart and paint the inside chrome parts black.

**rexxx0486** · 10-08-2012 02:25 PM

You know you don't need to mask parts or paint them and then stick them on to get a clean look, you can just spray right on the badge and surrounding area and then just peel from the outside of the surrounding area and it will tear right off on the edge of the badge giving a perfect look as long as the badge or whatever is raised. Hard to describe but as long as you are applying 3+ coats it will come off perfect without taping off or using a razor or anything. any dusty over spray that wont peel will wipe right off with a microfiber rag and rubbing alchohol. The side moldings and rear panel between the taillights on my car were done this way and they look factory:

**11blackwrx** · 10-08-2012 03:01 PM

turned out very nice

**rexxx0486** · 10-08-2012 03:05 PM

thanks, I discovered the no masking technique halfway through and was pissed that I wasted all that time taping off around the moldings!

**rexxx0486** · 10-08-2012 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by DFLu

I plan on blacking out the side fender STI emblems and the exhaust finisherAdditionally, I am getting red/smoke overlays for the tail lights. I know that isn't a black accent, but my goal is to make the car exterior the black on red look. I think the main problem will be my headlights. I don't have the confidence to bake my headlights to take them apart and paint the inside chrome parts black.

That sounds like it would look really clean, man up and do the headlights too!

**AccordRanger** · 10-08-2012 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by rexxx0486

That sounds like it would look really clean, man up and do the headlights too!

X2 the headlights are cake!

**Alternet** · 10-08-2012 07:07 PM

Is there any kind of particular plasti dip that you use? Or is it whatever you find at an auto store?

**DFLu** · 10-08-2012 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Alternet

Is there any kind of particular plasti dip that you use? Or is it whatever you find at an auto store?

I'm not sure how many brands of Plasti-Dip there are, but the one I bought is from "Performix" and called "Plasti-Dip." I bought it from Lowes for $6.

**rexxx0486** · 10-09-2012 01:51 PM

Ditto, got mine at lowes too. I don't know of any off brand versions but for 6 bucks I'd get the real deal. They also have different colors now and a "glossifier" that you spray on after to give it a glossy effect.