Has anyone removed the SANTA FE badge from the back

Hyundai Cars and Models Forum Hyundai Santa Fe
1

I have a 2025 Calligraphy Hybrid in phantom black with blacked-out trim. The SANTA FE badge is hard to see, but wax and cloth get stuck around the letters. Has anyone tried taking off the SANTA FE from the back? I’ve successfully used a hair dryer and dental floss to remove chrome trim on other cars

2

I almost did that. I even mocked it up in Photoshop from a few angles: https://www.reddit.com/r/HyundaiSantaFe/s/1SQRYcA9LN

But then I thought the back looked too flat. Someone mentioned it looks more like a minivan without the letters, and I couldn’t unsee that. So I left them on

3

I usually avoid anything that might reduce the car’s value like removing badges

That said, many people have managed to get the letters off the back

4

Christine said:
I usually avoid anything that might reduce the car’s value like removing badges

That said, many people have managed to get the letters off the back

Removing badges reduces value haha thanks for the laugh

5

@Ameliascarlet
It can affect the value. Many cosmetic changes can lower a car’s worth. Try taking a debadged car in for a trade-in estimate and see what they say.

But I appreciate the laugh, Jokr4L

6

Christine said:
@Ameliascarlet
It can affect the value. Many cosmetic changes can lower a car’s worth. Try taking a debadged car in for a trade-in estimate and see what they say.

But I appreciate the laugh, Jokr4L

I’ve done it many times and still got KBB or higher. Dealers often don’t even look closely at the car. You really think they’ll notice a debadged car?

7

@Ameliascarlet
As a car appraiser, you’re mistaken. Debadging does decrease your car’s value. They typically deduct the cost of putting the badging back on during appraisal

8

Mason said:
@Ameliascarlet
As a car appraiser, you’re mistaken. Debadging does decrease your car’s value. They typically deduct the cost of putting the badging back on during appraisal

I don’t want to argue with online strangers. If you believe that’s true, good for you. Let’s just agree to disagree

9

@Ameliascarlet
I wasn’t trying to argue. I’ve been in this business for 20 years. There’s a requirement in Ontario to disclose altered badging before reselling, and it hurts to have to check that box. But I’m sure your single experience represents the whole car resale industry

10

I thought about it, but the flat back made me rethink. It looked too plain. I photoshopped it first. I just put overlays on the letters to match the paint. Now they’re there but not very noticeable

11

Removing the badge makes the back look even bigger. Just take a little extra time when washing and waxing around the letters

12

solesfin said:
Removing the badge makes the back look even bigger. Just take a little extra time when washing and waxing around the letters

I guess I’d prefer my girl’s back end to be a little bigger than smaller, but I’ll wait until after the first wash post-waxing. Maybe a high spray will help remove it. I often remove or color match trim (the spray dip stuff works wonders) but black on black isn’t too bad