Debadging to save from vandals ?

Numerous folks have debadged in the past, I just don't have the threads handy. If memory serves for 2010s, the fender badges just ahead of the front doors have a pair of holes, the rear badges are just adhesive. I don't know if this changed at all for the 2012 refresh.

One of the threads shows how the owner used the front fender holes to install side turn signals.

 

This is just so sad.
When I was more inexperienced in the "World of Prius" I really discounted the idea that Prius suffered this type of persecution. But when I owned mine, I was surprised to see how real it actually was.
I sat in my Prius and watched as someone opened their door, and purposely spit on my Prius.

To be honest? It's just a sad failure of humanity.
I'm not asking anyone to like Prius, or like Hybrids, but I would ask people for the same respect for private property they would apply to any other vehicle. The same indifference they would apply to almost every other vehicle they might see on the road or in a parking lot.
But I think sadly, there is a mythology of hatred for the Prius, that has some people take "pride" in attacking the vehicle, both intellectually, and often tangibly...in the real world. They seem to feel it's their duty to dislike the Prius, that it's OK to vandalize a Prius, that they MUST blow past them on the freeway.

Quite frankly, I don't get it. It's just sad.

There are a lot of vehicles I don't particularly like, for whatever reason of combination of reasons. Vehicles I would not want to own, but the idea that I would act differently toward them on the highway, streets, or in parking lots....just doesn't occur to me. Let alone allow my dislike to be a calling card that seems to be for some a impetus to actual criminal vandalism.

Would debadging help?
Well I just think it's sad that it even has to be considered as something you might HAVE to do. You should be able to remain badged as a Prius without fear of acts of vandalism.
The Prius Gen 2 and Gen 3 are such unique and recognizable vehicles that I also doubt that debadging would give it the cloak of invisibility you are looking for, but I don't think the people we are dealing with are too bright, so maybe simply removing the name and adding some distracting badging would work?

But in a way, idealistic personal pride has me saying...you shouldn't HAVE to do this.

And unfortunately if you are dealing with vandals neanderthal enough to justify damaging others public property simply because they don't like the vehicle based on what they think are preconcieved prejudices about the vehicle.
I'm afraid they are probably too stupid to be deterred by debadging. It might only slow them down a few seconds as they search for the Prius nameplate.

In all honesty...it also might just be that particular Walmart, that location.
Most Walmarts have security, that work the parking lots. I might have a talk with them. Also, I don't know if it might be better to try to park closer to the entrance and in the heavily trafficked areas of the parking lot. Maybe the vandals would be more hesitant if your vehicle is surrounded by the crowd entering the store, and in an area of the parking lot they might feel is far more monitored.
Parking semi-isolated and far from the maddening crowd, might not be to your advantage.

In any case, really sorry to hear this is happening. I'd like to file it under very rare isolated incident, but unfortunately I think it's more common than it really should be.

 

if there's holes under the badges, just put dodge badges there.

 

Put a Ram badge on it and you’ll confuse the bumpkins .

 

I don't think debadging is going to confuse anyone: the iconic shape is Prius. Dashcam sting??

 

hemi

 

It’s the new Charger.

 

As someone who lived in Wichita, KS for 3 years with our 2010, I can tell you that where I worked it was a black sheep.

I ended up converting some of the truck driving population to more efficient rides, but they were just ford focuses (or is it Foci).

So I understand but never experienced vandalism though.

You’ve got a rare breed there.

 

Some folks are clueless to even the shape. When meeting folks, one of my past carpool partners wanted only a vehicle's color, body style was a meaningless descriptor, even for pickup trucks. But I don't think those are the ones going around vandalizing Prii.

 

Back before I drove a Prius, I admittingly wasn't fond of them. When they first came out. They were snagged up by the eco warriors and tech junkies. Here are the biggest reasons why I wasn't fond of them.

#1. Eco warriors treat anyone not like themselves almost as if they are the enemy. Seemed they were the ones buying the Prius
#2. Notoriously slow at stop lights to get up to speed.
#3. Just friggin slow on any road.
#4. God awful to get behind if a Senior citizen was the owner.
#5. Prius owners (initially, not so much now) always came off as having their noses a bit too high in the air for me. I worked at a dealership at the time - these people were to say the least, obnoxious and not pleasant to be around.

As you can see -- I personally didn't want to get behind one. To this day I still don't. I've mentioned a couple times here about being agitated because some Prius nut is wanting to maximize his mpg's at my expense. Not so bad if I can get around, but darnit - if there is traffic push the right pedal down. I will still fly a Prius driver to this day the bird and a few well chosen explicitives should I catch them in the act.

I have a couple eco warriors in my family & I cannot stand to be around them. I've flat told my aunt on more than one occasion to just shut up. Her and her husbands non stop criticism of anyone's lifestyle different than their own is absolutely nerve racking. They were MONSTER Prius people back in the day.

Tech junkies - nothing wrong with these people. They'll give it to you straight.

After awhile, this pent up agitation turns into hatred I suppose. Sort of like my eco warrior relatives do with people not like them.

 

^ The car isn't attracting vandalism. The imaginary owner is.

 

To answer the question about the badges, there are no holes in the fender (EDIT: or on the back hatch) -- the badges are simply stuck on with 2 sided foam adhesive tape. Google de-badging to see a number of how-to videos. Last I heard, the preferred method was mild/careful heating with a blow drier, then using a piece of fishing line to "floss" the badge off. (the nylon fishing line won't scratch the paint)

If you're going to put alternate badging on, use the good adhesive tape that's made for it. I have a roll of this that I've used for years -- always worked great.

I think something like this would be pretty funny:

 

Wallmart has security cameras, chances are it's someone you know...
Put a sticker on that states you are recording at all times.

 

Oh man! I've never rebadged anything, but that is seriously tempting.

 

Re-badging can be a good creative outlet, and occasionally has some side benefits.

I knew a guy who got out of a few parking tickets by proving that he didn't own a "BMW Crusader" as noted on the tickets.

 

De or re badging won't stop vandals and Prius is likely not the only victim...at this location.