Plasti Dip Emblems

Just got my gen 4. Love it. Got windows tinted 20% in rear 35% front and 70% windshield. Looks clean.
But just plasti dipped all my badges and emblems today.

I had no trouble simply masking and shooting 4 coats, peeling off was a breeze. But the front emblem was not cooperating. So I pulled the front emblem out completely, separated the chrome from the blue backing and sprayed just the chrome black. Looks great.

Here's how I pulled the emblem out. Open the hood. There's a black plastic panel over the top front with 5 plastic pins holding it on. PRESS the center of the pins until they click. Pull the cover out of the way and be careful not to loose the pins. Next locate the back of the emblem inside that newly exposed area. You will see three chrome tabs protruding. I started by gently pressing on the back of the emblem with one hand, and using a small metal pick I pryed the rightmost tab over toward the left and it moves out a little. Then to the leftmost tab I pryed to the left and then the upper... You get the idea. Voila. Now you've isolated the chrome emblem and can spray it all by itself. To reinstall the pins in that panel make sure you press the center of the pin up until it is popped up all the way. Then secure the outer 3 prong outer part first and press down lightly until it clicks once. If it depresses all the way and the center is sunken it is not secure. The emblem just snaps back in.
Pics attached. I included a shot of the windshield tint, it's Suntek CXP 70. I like the tint but the tint shop must have dipped it in sand because holy crap there's a ton of trapped debris and dust. Will be bringing it back.

 

I have a base Two model so the front emblem is just an emblem.
As for the tint it's not legal to have tint covering the entire windshield. That said the light transmittance limit for the windshield is 70%. I literally can't tell there's tint on my windshield, I did it to keep my dash cooler in hot weather, since the windshield is like 9 feet long!!!

 

They had me sign a waiver releasing them of liability.

 

Congrats on tint! It makes a huge difference in heat. I got my windshield done for $120 with Suntek Cxp 70%. It's awesome. Literally can't tell its there, my 2nd Gen prius has some crapper tint on the windshield and makes night time driving and headlight glare unbearable. This Suntek stuff is incredible. No haze, no discoloration. It's totally clear. But cuts out 44% heat. Got the entire car tinted (every single window) for $320. And paint is actually rubber, it's Plasti Dip. It's non permanent. You literally peel it off when U sell or trade your car back in. It's the easiest thing to do. Get tape, mask off the SURROUNDING area leaving a 2" gap around emblem. Spray 4 coats waiting 10 mins between each coat. Wait 30 mins when done with 4 coats to dry. Remove tape. Peel off plasti dip where you don't want it. It it will separate from the emblems all by its self like magic. I did my whole car in an hour. Go to a pepboys and try it out on a wheel. They have a display for it. Since it's 100% removable try it!!

 

Front emblem pics and side emblems. Did they reuse the side emblems from the gen 2 prius??

 

The areas I'm in frequently are between Pasadena and Thousand Oaks. Valley areas. My commute is 30 miles each way to work and I have to tell you, for $200/ month and free oil changes I love my prius. Can't wait to finish my project car for weekend driving up Angeles Crest!