Whether you desire a streamlined look or are making a political statement, here's how to legally and safely remove the brand badge from your car.
Debadging 101: Is It Safe (and Legal) to Remove Car Logos?
Published on Jul. 09, 2025
If you’re behind a car on the road and notice that it doesn’t have a manufacturer’s logo on it, chances are the owner intentionally removed it, a practice commonly called “debadging.”
One of the most common reasons people debadge a car is because they’re planning on getting the car wrapped. Other times, they are trying to disguise that it’s a base model or unpopular car brand. But mostly, it’s all about giving a vehicle a more high-end, sleek and minimal look.
“Gen Z and younger buyers tend to prefer a clean, understated aesthetic without all of the chrome badges,” says Zoriy Birenboym, founder of eAutoLease.com. “De-badging has been picking up in car culture thanks to social media trends showcasing these types of ‘murdered-out’ builds.”
If you’re wondering if you can remove the brand logo from your car, here’s what to know about the legal ramifications, as well as how to do it without damaging your car.
Can You Legally Remove the Brand Logo From a Car?
Yes, removing the manufacturer’s brand emblems from your personal vehicle is legal, since they are just cosmetic marketing labels. The exception would be if you’re intending to mislead someone by doing so, such as impersonating another vehicle model or evading identification.
But just because you can legally remove the brand logo, doesn’t mean it’s a great idea. Doing so can damage your paint finish, violate the conditions of a lease agreement and negatively affect the resale value.
Is Removing a Car’s Logo Legal in My State?
It is legal to remove a car’s logo in every state, though it’s always a good idea to check with local and state DMV statues before doing any car modification.
“Car logos generally follow universal laws,” says Carl Rodriguez of NX Auto Transport. “The only prints that are illegal to remove are the vehicle registration number, safety precaution labels, state required quality assurance markers, and so on.”
How To Remove a Car’s Logo
First, determine if the badge is drilled in or attached with adhesive. Newer models tend to use adhesive. To remove those:
- Wash the area around the badge to avoid scratching the paint.
- Heat the badge with a hairdryer or heat gun on low, which will loosen the adhesive. Keep it far enough away from the car to avoid damaging the paint.
- Gently saw along the back side of the badge using fishing line or dental floss, which will separate the adhesive from the car. Work slowly, and avoid using metal tools, as they can scratch the paint.
- Once the badge is removed, clean off any sticky residue with a soft, clean cloth and adhesive remover or rubbing alcohol.
- Polish the area, then apply wax or sealant.
If the badge is drilled into the car, removing it may be a bad idea, because once it’s gone there will be holes exposed in the car’s body, plus removing it poses a greater risk for damaging your car.
Either way, if you’re at all tentative about it, Car Talk recommends having a professional auto detailer remove the logo. “Yes, the internet is full of how-tos on removing logos from cars, but too much heat can damage the car’s paint, and repairing that damage can be an expensive headache,” says Meegan Hall, senior editor of Car Talk.
FAQ
Can you remove the dealership logo from the back of a car?
Yes. Similarly to manufacturers, dealerships add their badges to vehicles as a form of marketing. “A lot of car buffs remove these as soon as they get home because nobody wants to advertise for the dealer for free,” says Birenboym.
You can also ask the dealer to remove the logo for you, to ensure you aren’t responsible should it damage the car. “Chances are they will be helpful,” says Hall. “They want your money, right?”
About the Experts
- Meegan Hall is senior editor of Car Talk, the digital content iteration of the long-running NPR show about all things automotive.
- Carl Rodriguez is founder and head of content creation at NX Auto Transport, a nationwide car transport company he founded in 2016.
- Zoriy Birenboym is founder and CEO of eAutoLease.com, an online auto dealership and car leaser, and eAutoCollision, an auto body repair shop in New York City.
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