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I recently bought a new set of Hyundai Genesis Coupe rims and would like to add a touch of Acura class. Unfortunately, The Hyundai center caps are 2 5/16 inches, while most Acura center caps are 2.75 inches, meaning they are not interchangeable.
My goal is to grind down the Hyundai center caps, sand them, paint them black, drill two bracket holes, and add the "A" emblems.
My question is, has anyone ever attempted to remove the "A" emblems from their center caps? P purchased a set of used center caps on eBay and per the diagram and pictures below, it appears the Acura emblems are held in place with two plastic rivets. At the risk of sounding like an idiot, does anyone know if it's possible to remove these types of rivets without snapping them off and breaking the emblem?
It's not my first choice, but if there isn't an easy way to remove these without "snapping" them, I may have to use my Dremel cutting disc, cut off the poles, and re-attach the "A" emblems with epoxy.
FWIW: Yes, the Acura Logo can be removed. I have done it, for the same type project. The securing device is not a rivet, it's actually a spring "type" washer clip. The clip, is not easily removed, but, it will come off, with some fineness. As I recall, I used a small "pocket type" screwdriver, and worked it under the clip, to pop it off. I'm thinking, out of the eight, which I removed, six resulted in breaking the plastic "stem", on which the clips mount, so it would appear, these clips were meant to be permanent! I used 3M emblem cement to re-mount them. Ossman14 had a good suggestion, (" I would just cut them off and try to leave something protruding.") Maybe, using a Dremmel cut off wheel, you could cut off the top of the clip, which may release it, while leaving a portion of the nub. than you could drill your existing center cap, mount the Logo, and epoxy it in.
Last edited by frankjnjr; 10-07-2018 at 06:03 AM.
Reason: to add comment from Ossman14
These are all great ideas. Thanks for the feedback everyone.
This set of center caps actually look perfect for my wife's RDX (which was not intentional), so I am saving these for her OEM rims. I ordered a second set on eBay and will probably start attacking them with a mini screwdriver again. I tried doing this originally, but the washer did NOT budge. I will try with a little more force and finesse and see how it goes. If the screwdriver method does not work, I will try using my Dremel to cut off the washer. If that doesn't work, then I will just cut off the posts.
The tiniest things we do for our cars is just ridiculous sometimes lol.
Could you maybe get a small screwdriver in the slot of the washer to bend back the part that clips into the post? If not a screwdriver, maybe something smaller? Just thinking outside the box....if you could bend a couple of those “wings” back, I would think the washers would just pull off. I could be wrong. I’ve never attempted it.
I used a sharp utility knife, got underneath each washer clip, and bent upwards slightly. As careful as I was, every single clip sprung 10 feet in the air and snapped each post in the process. The posts still have enough length to be useful though, which is great.
The back of the emblems were also held in place with double sided tape. I used my utility knife again and very carefully separated the emblems from the center caps.
I know nothing about doing this, but could you find a flat center cap for those wheels or fill in around the "A" with putty or Bondo, then tape off the chrome "A" and re-paint the center cap? Either way, already looks nice on the wheel...
I searched for a loooong time and could not find a set of flat 2 5/16'' center caps anywhere online. I wish I was able to though. Then I wouldn't have had to modify the Hyundai center caps.
The "A" sticks out pretty far. I wouldn't want to mess with adding putty or bondo. That would make the entire cap look kind of awkward in my opinion. I think my best option would be to find a flat center cap that fits these rims.
You couldn't get like a flat piece of wood or riesen and shave it to slide in behind and paint over it... Probably would look odd...
You could get another set of centercaps amd file them closer to flat then sand tgem dowm smooth and repaint to match... Don't even kniw if its possible...
Looks good for now, I'd keep searching, I guess...
1. Yeah, those spring clips do not like to come off. I've gotten them off by prying underneath the clip and then spinning/twisting the clip. It sort of backs off but gouges the pin (almost threading it) as it come off.
2. If I had to do it again, I'd dremel off the tabs of the spring clip, probably only need to cut one or two to get it loose enough to slip off.
3. Instead of trying to fit the flat emblem to the domed cap, maybe getting some chrome or brushed vinyl cut in the A logo would be the better way. Won't look the same, but might be good enough. Early year TSXs had flat black decal looking A emblems whereas the later ones have the chromed 3D emblems. So variation is normal. You might be able to make it work.
10-05-2018, 11:45 PM
