Dress up lighting: Badge Glow -- DIY a glowing badge

Hey folks,

Thought I'd share this subtle modification to my Gladiator. This is on a 2023 Mojave. I came across this badge glow when browsing and as I was planning on changing out the badge, I figured I'd give it a go. I'm very pleased. After picking up this badge and some acrylic white paint, I got to work. The badge is high quality and it took the acrylic paint really well after a nice cook in the oven to cure it.




Removal of the original badge was easy using a hair dryer, some patience, and a trim tool to slowly pry it off. Following it up with some rubbing alcohol to break down the sticky residue.



After feeding in the wire connected to the light and eye balling it a few times, pulled off the back plastic and stuck her on.




The most challenging part was getting the wires from behind the fender panel, more due to not having the right tool for the job, but I managed to doctor up something from an old paint can . Removing the handle and bending it as shown below helped me pull the wire up up .



Install was pretty straight forward. My jeep came with the AUX switch package and I wired it into the AUX 4 wire in the engine compartment and programmed the head unit to return to last state for the AUX 4 function.



I terminated the ground to one of the posts which is secured with a 10mm nut.




I then wrapped the wires and zipped down securely:



And Tada!



Daylight:



I'll see if I can get a picture of the full vehicle in the dark and post it here.

You can find these items on Amazon here:

Badge Glow (multiple color options)
High Quality Badges

Must say that is a first for me. Never seen a glowing badge before.

I could see maybe doing this and wiring it up as a marker/turn signal.
I don't have the fancy mirrors with built in turn signals, so this could potentially add one to the side.

Laaasserrs!

RudeJeepin said:

I could see maybe doing this and wiring it up as a marker/turn signal.
I don't have the fancy mirrors with built in turn signals, so this could potentially add one to the side.

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If you remove the antenna on the passenger side, making two of these into turn signals/hazards would be amazing. The badge could say “Highway Rated”

Another question in this, you mentioned paint. How was paining the badge? I’m considering it if I do a color switch.

Bandit’s Lair said:

Another question in this, you mentioned paint. How was paining the badge? I’m considering it if I do a color switch.

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Before doing any of the painting, I removed the adhesive the badge came with completely. I used some acrylic-enamel paint from hobby lobby and I put it on a paper towel, smearing it over the badge to get in all the cracks, I then used another paper towel and folded to be pretty flat, dampened it with some water and wiped off the excess. Had to do this a few times and it was challenging. After I got it how I wanted it to look, I heated the oven at 350 and set the badge on a cookie sheet for 5 minutes and removed it from the oven. This was my first time doing this kind of painting so there are a few areas that aren't very smooth. If I were to have done it again, I would have used more paint, more water, and more patience!!

GotGrit said:

Before doing any of the painting, I removed the adhesive the badge came with completely. I used some acrylic-enamel paint from hobby lobby and I put it on a paper towel, smearing it over the badge to get in all the cracks, I then used another paper towel and folded to be pretty flat, dampened it with some water and wiped off the excess. Had to do this a few times and it was challenging. After I got it how I wanted it to look, I heated the oven at 350 and set the badge on a cookie sheet for 5 minutes and removed it from the oven. This was my first time doing this kind of painting so there are a few areas that aren't very smooth. If I were to have done it again, I would have used more paint, more water, and more patience!!

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Sounds good. My plan is to use painters tape on the whole thing then exacto knife around the raised portions so I can take tape from cavities. Once all that tedium is done hit it with a spray can and hope for the best.

WILDHOBO said:

If you remove the antenna on the passenger side, making two of these into turn signals/hazards would be amazing. The badge could say “Highway Rated”

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What a great idea! And it certainly looks like the attenta recessed portion of the fender is the same size as the driver side. Wonder how difficult it will be to remove the mount. I'm not sure if its stuck on there or if there is a nut/washer on the inner side of the fender.

GotGrit said:

What a great idea! And it certainly looks like the attenta recessed portion of the fender is the same size as the driver side. Wonder how difficult it will be to remove the mount. I'm not sure if its stuck on there or if there is a nut/washer on the inner side of the fender.

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I haven’t tried, it I’m guessing pretty easy. Antennas get broken in car washes all the time.

I like it. I think as a side directional rather than just illuminated would be the perfect thing for it. I have a 25 so I have a badge on both sides paving the way for this to become a reality.
Thanks for sharing, and thanks for the idea of a turn signal too.

WilldWilly said:

I like it. I think as a side directional rather than just illuminated would be the perfect thing for it. I have a 25 so I have a badge on both sides paving the way for this to become a reality.
Thanks for sharing, and thanks for the idea of a turn signal too.

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I forgot about the windshield antennas. Even without on my 2021, I’m genuinely sure I’ve never listened to FM in my jeep, in 5.5 years. XM, sure. Separate antenna.

WILDHOBO said:

If you remove the antenna on the passenger side, making two of these into turn signals/hazards would be amazing. The badge could say “Highway Rated”

Click to expand...

Didn't really think about the other side. I listen to the FM radio too much to delete the antenna. Way too many cliffs, did I mention I live in a huge gorge, the Columbia River Gorge. That not to mentions the 5 tunnels I drive through every day to and from work, or all the trees to be able to run XM radio all the time.

Almost did this last year, but never did..

RudeJeepin said:

Didn't really think about the other side. I listen to the FM radio too much to delete the antenna. Way too many cliffs, did I mention I live in a huge gorge, the Columbia River Gorge. That not to mentions the 5 tunnels I drive through every day to and from work, or all the trees to be able to run XM radio all the time.

Click to expand...

I guess you could swap in a 2024 windshield when you crack yours.