Closing the trunk...dented the VW sign! [Archive]

JrsyGrl

09-26-2005, 03:05 PM

Hi everyone, I posted this on another board, but I thought I'd see if any other 'vert owners have had a similar experience as me.

When I picked up my car, less than 3 weeks ago, my salesman made a big point to tell me to use the VW sign to shut the trunk, because if I pressed down on either side of the trunk, it could dent since you have to use pretty heavy force to shut it properly. So, I've been diligently doing so. Well, yesterday, I realized that the VW is now dented! Needless to say, I'm very upset, since I've had the car less than 3 weeks, and I dented it doing something that was recommended to me by the salesman. I'm going to call him today and have words, but I just wanted to know if anyone else has run into this?

dgoldbe2

09-26-2005, 03:16 PM

I have noticed a small indentation appearing around the VW logo on the trunk.

The key is to try and spread out the force required to close it as much as possible (well that and I suppose try and not use the trunk all that much.

However, I noticed Saturday that the trunk is getting easier to close after almost 2 years of ownership.

Deserion

09-26-2005, 04:14 PM

The emblem will dent - it's just plastic. Mine did on my 'vert, and on my '03 (same emblem).

I swapped both out for the Euro-spec pieces and haven't had any denting issues. :)

-Des

JrsyGrl

09-26-2005, 04:57 PM

Des, where did you get the Euro-spec pieces? Thanks!

Billsbug

09-26-2005, 05:08 PM

I yanked that piece of garbage off the 1st week I got my 'vert and replaced it with the 3-D chromed one (uhhh, u lose the key hole)...:D

JrsyGrl

09-26-2005, 06:27 PM

I don't even have a keyhole, so that's fine with me! Where did you get the one you replaced the original with?

Billsbug

09-26-2005, 06:38 PM

JrsyGrl

09-26-2005, 07:51 PM

Link, please? :)

Billsbug

09-26-2005, 07:57 PM

Look below...

Billsbug

09-26-2005, 08:00 PM

Arg, it appears and then it disappears (my signature, see 3 posts above)!

http://forums.newbeetle.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43181

JrsyGrl

09-26-2005, 08:35 PM

Such a pretty car! I gotta see if I can find those badges. They look a million times better than what I have now.

Thanks!;)

Billsbug

09-26-2005, 08:41 PM

...which is why the '06's went back to the 3-D badge, so get whatever they use on the '06 vert as a replacement...;)

docdixon

09-26-2005, 08:56 PM

My LOGO was also dented secondary to closing the truck. My bad. So, now I put pressure only along the lower edges where the steel is curled and welded; it is much stronger there and leads to no indentations. :D

Are the VW logos glued in place front and rear?

If so, then removal is done how?

I'd like to replace with some cool German insignia, and no not a swastika, but something like ... well like what? Ideas?

Doc

Billsbug

09-26-2005, 09:29 PM

I pried up a bit of the edge with a flat head screw driver, cushioned on the bottom with a towel, then grabbed it with needle nose pliers and just peeled it off. The rear was a bit of a pain cuz the '04's have a key hole, so it's also attached at that point. U can push as hard as you want, i.e. slam it down hard, to close it now. Btw, I used an all purpose glue to attach the new badges...

Billsbug

09-26-2005, 09:31 PM

Here's a close up pic:

JrsyGrl

09-26-2005, 09:34 PM

So I just talked to my salesman. He says he's never heard of that happening before. He wants me to bring in the car to the servicepeople and he's going to see if he can get me something under warranty.

Billsbug

09-26-2005, 09:38 PM

It's gonna dent anyway if someone taps you (front AND back), so have him get you the '06 3-D's as replacements...

KNEWBUG

09-27-2005, 04:57 AM

:thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

I was closing the trunk by pushing on the emblem, had to purchase new emblem which came with valet and two 1/2 keys. Replaced myself, now I use lower right corner of trunk lid to close. Still is very hard to close as it was when I first got NBC.

Deserion

09-27-2005, 07:10 AM

Des, where did you get the Euro-spec pieces? Thanks!

I got mine from the dealer's parts department. They can order them.

The emblem comes off w/ a hair dryer and string. I've popped 5 of the badges off, I'm pretty good at it. :D

-Des

Billsbug

09-27-2005, 01:49 PM

There isn't a keyhole for the trunk? Are you sure that isn't the "dent" you are speaking of? There is an intentional indentation at the 6 o'clock position of the emblem to allow you to slide it back and reveal the key to manually open the trunk.

VW eliminated the key hole on the '05, so u just open the trunk with the remote or the door latch. The hair dryer idea is great, but it won't work as well on the '03 and '04 rear badge, you'll still have to rip it from the keyhole attachment. Btw, once you get the 3-D badge, closing the trunk is a breeze...

JrsyGrl

09-27-2005, 09:26 PM

Yeah, I definitely don't have a keyhole. God help me if I mistook a keyhole for a dent. :)

EVZBUG

11-26-2005, 09:26 PM

There isn't a keyhole for the trunk? Are you sure that isn't the "dent" you are speaking of? There is an intentional indentation at the 6 o'clock position of the emblem to allow you to slide it back and reveal the key to manually open the trunk.

That intentional indentation for the hidden keyhole was only on the 2003 NBCs as well as the earlier 2004's. They deleted the keyhole afterwards.

EVZBUG

11-26-2005, 09:29 PM

U can get can get it from your VW dealer, ask for the '98-'01 rear badge. Of course you'll need the front one too so it'll match. I have ones from Japan that are heavy chrome, chk out my thread for resources (link is below)...

Billsbug, can you elaborate a bit on this? So it sounds like you just end up covering the old keyhole over with the new badge. I've never used it, and it is so annoying to hear people tell me that I have a dent in the emblem. Say your trunk motor isn't working, God forbid! Is there a release cable somewhere inside? I can't remember, and I'm too lazy to go down to the garage to get my manual. I really like the looks of the 3-D emblems!

EVZBUG

11-26-2005, 09:34 PM

God help me if I mistook a keyhole for a dent. :)

Don't worry! Pretty much everyone does! If you look closely at the picture that KNEWBUG posted, the lower gray triangle of the emblem has an indentation for your finger to grab because you can actually SLIDE it to the right, and it reveals a hidden keyhole underneath the plastic triangle! That's how people mistake it for a dent, but since yours is a '05, you don't have the keyhole anyway. It was a good idea, but the design could have looked better. It would have been cool if they kept the early emblem that pivoted to the side to reveal a chrome latch and keyhole.

SMG

11-26-2005, 09:59 PM

What I do is push on the edge with two hands in two places, easier to get more leverage that way.

SMG

JrsyGrl

11-30-2005, 05:30 PM

Don't worry! Pretty much everyone does! If you look closely at the picture that KNEWBUG posted, the lower gray triangle of the emblem has an indentation for your finger to grab because you can actually SLIDE it to the right, and it reveals a hidden keyhole underneath the plastic triangle! That's how people mistake it for a dent, but since yours is a '05, you don't have the keyhole anyway. It was a good idea, but the design could have looked better. It would have been cool if they kept the early emblem that pivoted to the side to reveal a chrome latch and keyhole.

LOL, evzbug, I didn't actually mistake a dent for a keyhole. My Bug doesn't have a keyhole in the VW sign, it's just a plain old crappy plastic VW sign that dents easily!

JrsyGrl

11-30-2005, 05:31 PM

So, I finally brought my car to the dealer and had them look at the dented VW. They said they could order a new VW sign (same old crappy plastic) and it would cost me $39.50. I'm going to have to have another conversation with my sales guy.

Deserion

11-30-2005, 06:47 PM

Haven't had any denting problems with the Euro badge installed... ;)

-Des

JrsyGrl

11-30-2005, 08:52 PM

Yeah, I have to look into this Euro badge business you speak about.

FineExampl

11-30-2005, 08:55 PM

Yeah, I have to look into this Euro badge business you speak about.
My front and rear badges are both shot. front began peeling and the rear is dented (thanks witch). I'm also in the market for euro badges. i have euro center caps awaiting install this weekend (i hope). So i will temporarily be rocking us and euro badges. I think once i get them installed i'ma cool it on upgrades.

Billsbug

11-30-2005, 09:33 PM

Billsbug, can you elaborate a bit on this? So it sounds like you just end up covering the old keyhole over with the new badge. I've never used it, and it is so annoying to hear people tell me that I have a dent in the emblem. Say your trunk motor isn't working, God forbid! Is there a release cable somewhere inside? I can't remember, and I'm too lazy to go down to the garage to get my manual. I really like the looks of the 3-D emblems!

Yeah, it just covers the outside of the whole lock mechanism now. Never had a problem opening it, I use the key or the latch release on the driver's door...can't remember if I mentioned it, but I have the double chromed 3-D badges from Bugsgogo, much brighter than the OEM 3-D badges..

WNAB911

11-30-2005, 09:55 PM

I dented my hood the first night I had my car! Popped the hood to show off my new engine to Dad, and when I slammed the hood shut, I left a palm sized dent in the hood. I had to pay $150.00 to a paintless dent removal guy to come and work the dent out the next day. (It was driving me crazy!)

KNEWBUG

12-03-2005, 10:50 PM

When I first looked at the 2003 vert, way back in Dec 2002, I thought the trunk lid emblem had a dent in it. Asked the salesman if that was so, and was told it was for the keyhole. I have never used it to openn the trunk, always the remote or the switch on the door. I learned my lesson on closing the trunk, had to buy new emblem because I dented the original closing the trunk lid. You cannot just buy the emblem, you have to buy emblem, lock mechanism and youn also get two new keys with the new lock. I changed the emblem and have never closed the trunk by pressing on the emblem. VW changed the rear emblem so there isn`t a lock or dent for the key.

Benny Beetle

03-22-2006, 03:36 PM

I have to use my keyhole on the trunk every winter, once the temp gets below 32 degree (F). The mechanism allowing my car to latch stops working, so I have to slam the hatch a few times and/or while the hatch is open, manually close the locking mechanism. Then I need to use my key to unlock it again. Then I can give it one more slam and it will actually close.

No dents in my hatch either, I use the grab handles that are on the inside of the hatch to close. I have never needed to push on my hatch (and don't let anyone else try to shut it either as they all want to push it closed).

(I realize this is a bit old, but if this helps anyone, than it wasn't a waste to bring it back).

EVZBUG

03-22-2006, 08:24 PM

LOL, evzbug, I didn't actually mistake a dent for a keyhole. My Bug doesn't have a keyhole in the VW sign, it's just a plain old crappy plastic VW sign that dents easily!

Not to sound rude or anything, but if you look back at my post, I was quoting sb_beetle. I know yours doesn't have a hidden keyhole because you've got a 2005 convertible. sb_beetle has a 2004, which actually has a hidden keyhole in the 6 o'clock position--you slide the piece of triangular plastic over to reveal it as you can see in the pics above. But no, I know you didn't mistake a keyhole for a dent as you don't have a keyhole...BUT you can easily see how the dent in the plastic keyhole cover in the 2003-2004 convertibles is COMMONLY mistaken for an accidental dent. Anyway, so did you get your new badge?

Billsbug

03-22-2006, 08:35 PM

You cannot just buy the emblem, you have to buy emblem, lock mechanism and you also get two new keys with the new lock.

That's if u wanna to replace it with the same craptastic flat emblem! Like I said before, just yank it off and replace it with a 3-D emblem. Works like a charm, looks great and is indestructible...:cool:

TampaDub

03-22-2006, 09:36 PM

Mine dented too..The dealer replaced it. They told me to push on the runk right below the emblem so the emblem doesnt dent. So then i had a dent right under the emblem. they had to fix that too. now just three fingers on either side along the lower edge is all i do. still very hard to close. makes no difference if the door is open (to relieve air pressure) i have a vert and wit the top down it is hard to close.