Debadging and car clay

After a few years and much deliberation, the 325Ci has been debadged.
The intent was to give it a more clean, symmetrical appearance (same as a former debadged Infiniti G35-except for the logo in the center). However, it has been seen by many as a way to suggest that the owner wants to allude to a more powerful model (in this case, 325Ci to 330Ci).


The choice is up to you, however I thoroughly enjoy the new view from the end as it is now symmetrical (except for the exhaust of course).

Also, washing the passenger side of the trunk used to be a hassle. The sponge would always get caught by the 325Ci emblem and pieces would come off. Those days are over!

Debadged, clay, and waxed.

Griot's car clay-includes gloves, detailer (not pictured), and microfiber towels

Griot's car clay

Clayed the car in the process. Claying a car is similar to waxing but it is much more in-depth and precise. Car clay is used to remove the pollutants and other material that is still embedded in the car's paint. One way to prove this is to cover your hand with a plastic bag and running it over the surface of your hood (after washing and waxing). If you still feel bumps and dots, it's the pollutants and dust that you're feeling.

We recommend Griot's Paint Clay & Speed Shine Kit as it contains the whole shabang: 5 pairs of gloves, 3 microfiber towels, a bottle of detailer (used as the lubricant), and of course the clay itself.
The link to the item on their website: http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/paint+clay+speed+shine+kit.do

1) Thoroughly wash the car and make sure there are no debris on the paint.
2) Twist off about a fourth of the clay and form it so you can rub it yet grip it.
3) Starting with a small area, spray the detailer and gently glide the clay over the surface. DO NOT apply the clay to dry areas, you MUST use a lubricant before using the clay on the car's paint.
4) Knead the clay and expose a clean side if it becomes dirty/discolored from contaminants.
5) Wipe off the area with the cloth.

As for the debadging, we used Griot's Adhesive Remover. Really, all that was needed to be done was soak the backside of the "325 Ci" with the remover using cotton balls. Once that was done, floss was used to remove it by gliding it back and forth to saw away at the glue.
Once off, there is bound to be some residue left. Taped more cotton balls soaked with the adhesive remover for a while. Then gently used a Staedtler eraser to remove the minute pieces (hey, it came out fine!). Then clayed the area, then waxed.
Result: clean finish with a clean look and you won't be able to tell that there was ever anything glued on there.