Product Branding and Displaying them on YOUR car

[oldguy]

I wanted to see how many of you either like or dislike product branding on the parts you buy.

As an example, valve covers emblazoned with Edelbrock, Moroso, etc. Or shifters with a huge Hurst on the side. Or perhaps even gauges where you stare at the manufacturers name all the time you are driving. The list is endless if you really look at the products on your car. The brands are everywhere.

I think if you buy just a few products and want to brag about the new product you just bought fine, but when you build a custom car almost every part has a manufacturer name an it.

Personally don't like it, however to each their own. Just wondered what others think.

[SLO_Z28]

I could care less what a part looks like, for me its all about performance. If the part performs and is reasonably priced it can be bright pink with names all over it for all I care.

[zombiekiller]

the only time that it bugs me is on valve covers, otherwise i couldn't care less.

[rustomatic]

We're in the age of labels as personality definition. People love labels--just look at all of their awesome tats...

My car says Ford on it, somewhere. Generally, if you don't like what something looks like, you don't buy it, unless it's cheaper...

This site loves labels, as do a great number of the people who ask questions like the following: Should I use the TCI, the Hotchkis, or the Heidt's? When it comes to cars, labels are the business. Feel apologies for the contradiction here...

[andrewb70]

We're in the age of labels as personality definition. People love labels--just look at all of their awesome tats...

My car says Ford on it, somewhere. Generally, if you don't like what something looks like, you don't buy it, unless it's cheaper...

......

The use of branding as a means of personal identification is nothing new. It's roots can be traced back to pre-historic tribes and it directly reflects "in-group" and "out-group" thinking. In cave-man times, the person that displayed too much individualism was cast out and eventually perished, and likely did not have offspring. So our "lizard" brains are wired to identify with a group. It can be racial, nationalistic, sports, brands, the list goes on and on....

Andrew

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Very common in the custom show car/motorcycle world to remove branding and let the beauty of the part speak for itself. A very personal decision, and lot of effort, but no wrong answer in my mind.

[bret]

Personally...as a hotrodder I like a small tasteful logo cast in, engraved in or laser etched onto the part somewhere. This tells me whose component I am working with.
Professionally...we try to reflect my personal logo tastes. But I am not offended by some customers running our huge x large RideTech graphic on their cars :) Hard to overcome ego!

I do not neccessarily like our "street" cars pasted up like a NASCAR. Most manufacturers enjoy seeing their logo on a customers car [me included] but somtimes a small tasteful emblem somewhere says more than a 10 sq. ft. decal.

[DarkoNova]

Sometimes I don't mind it, sometimes I can't stand it.

Shift knob with the shift pattern on top and the brand name on both sides? Can't stand it.

Center caps with the wheel company's logo? Don't mind it.

Everything's different, I don't love it all or hate it all.

[cdumi96]

How do u expect companies to market their products if they do not put their brand on an item. I hate seeing something I like and not knowing who makes it. I hate car owners who don't wanna tell you who makes a part because they wanna be the cool guy with cool part.

I can make just about anything in my bus and trust me sometimes it's cheaper to buy the part than make it from scratch.

So unless you have the money to spend on engineering and prototype just to have a one off part stop bitching about branding on parts

[MrQuick]

If it makes my car better to me and makes me a golden god to others, I'll fly that flag as high and as long as I can. LOL

Andrew, don't you mean "frog brain"? LOL I don't think we are so bad. I saw a seagull eat a live Sparrow.

[andrewb70]

If it makes my car better to me and makes me a golden god to others, I'll fly that flag as high and as long as I can. LOL

Andrew, don't you mean "frog brain"? LOL I don't think we are so bad. I saw a seagull eat a live Sparrow.

I prefer to call it our "lizard" brain...LOL

Andrew

[Tony_SS]

Personally...as a hotrodder I like a small tasteful logo cast in, engraved in or laser etched onto the part somewhere. This tells me whose component I am working with.


Agree with Bret here... it's about taste. A well designed logo displayed at an appropriate size is professional.


I prefer to call it our "lizard" brain...LOL

Andrew

They Live!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[rustomatic]

Okay, my specific example is this: One of my favorite parts is my Maier Racing Panhard bar setup. It did not come with a sticker or any cool engraving, nor was it painted in a bright color. The frame is black, and the actual bar is silver (aluminum); it's a pretty low-key part, especially if you don't know what you're looking at. The point here is this: Had the unit come with some kind of branding, I would have left it in place, as I'm pleased with the functionality the product has provided. I'm also happy to tell anyone who may ask about the people who made the thing (what's more important, of course, is the fact that I welded it in...).

My laptop has not one, but two Summit Racing stickers on it--I love their shop, and have been to their facility in Sparks, NV several times. They're good people to deal with; I do not have their stickers on my car, however...

Now as far as car dealer license plate frames go, don't even get me started...

[Rod]

Branding is fine when done with a little class, we all buy brands, from the chevy logo on our cars to the nike shirts our Olympic athletes are wearing, were motovated by branding like, what happens in vegas stays in vegas, I do feel that some auto part manufactures over brand, for example a grant steering wheel says grant cast into the wheel and the on the horn button also? really there 5 inches apart, on the other side of that, My Hotchkis leafs have no logo? but my Hotchkis handle bar is logo'ed 3 times in the engine compartment, wheels are branded, tires branded, seats are branded, stereo is branded, man every thing is!! :hand: I dont mind branding at all just a more thoughtfull approach would be better, small simple logo or name is good, once on the part is fine, it helps when I'm at the events and every wants to know what is what

[bikefreak600]

i dont mind small prints on parts, but no way would i de-class my car with stickers all over it. unless it was a sponsorship, then well talk !

[Tony_SS]

No one likes a big giant logo stamped in their part but who doesn't love stickers?

[bikefreak600]

No one likes a big giant logo stamped in their part but who doesn't love stickers?

oh .. we cant forget each sticker is worth extra 5 horsepower ! LOL

[Tony_SS]

oh .. we cant forget each sticker is worth extra 5 horsepower ! LOL

If that's the case my tool box is pushing about 180 to the rollers!

[dontlifttoshift]

5 horsepower? I'm going top fuel racing!!

[Rod]

If that's the case my tool box is pushing about 180 to the rollers!

ha ha ha bwaaa ha!!!

Im in the same HP range lets go for pinks !! Tool Box racing, I have extra bolt(stick) ons

63092

[bikefreak600]

ha ha ha bwaaa ha!!!

Im in the same HP range lets go for pinks !! Tool Box racing, I have extra bolt(stick) ons

63092
i would cover a shop refrigerator with all those stickers !

[bikefreak600]

i would sport a small protouring.com g-machine sticker on my car. pretty sweet logo ! props to who ever designed it !

[BonzoHansen]

I generally do not like to see logos. i really hate seeing a pile of stickers added to the rad support and otherwise under hood - you know the ones. but to each their own. Except a ford caution fan sticker on a Chevy. i hate that!!!


i would cover a shop refrigerator with all those stickers !

it has many more now

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/Fridge-1.jpg

[Vicinity]

I generally do not like to see logos. i really hate seeing a pile of stickers added to the rad support and otherwise under hood - you know the ones. but to each their own. Except a ford caution fan sticker on a Chevy. i hate that!!!



it has many more now

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/IMG_2032Small-1.jpg

That fridge looks like it's doing 60.

[Happyfunballs]

Put me in the dislike category. Auto Meter gauges come to mind and "Edelbrock" everything.

[80sCarGuy]

I am not a huge fan of big logos branded on things. I passed on parts because I didn't like the branding. I'm sure it was a good part, just ugly brand.

[Takid455]

Typically remove decals unless the parts was given to me as a sponsorship deal. If I have to pay for, your name is coming off. The exception is if the logo is not over powering (edlebrock on valve covers) and is small and neat. nice to know what it is when replacing part but dont like excessive advertising. it my car, not your billboard.

[ProTourGSX]

If other guys like all the advertisement stickers on their cars, they're entitled to what they like. I prefer no brand names on parts, as they're installed on my car, just for neatness factor. Not saying that I won't have a few, but kept to a minimum, anyway.

[oldguy]

Edelbrock makes great parts, buy paying 8K for this and being branded is too much.

63493

Or this

63494

Or, 5 big brands, all on the top. Valve covers, fuel rails, intake plenum, and a few others.

63495

Oops, missed a few more, throttle body.

Find the brands...

[GT500KR_Vert]

I put the stickers on my cabinets in the garage and my tool benches. have somewhere around 200 stickers.

[1red68]

totally depends on the project... but it should always be tasteful.

[Classic Nova & Performance]

As a rule I'm not a sticker guy. When you are competing with a car, its a different story (although I didn't run all the contingency decals on my drag car). I would still limit it to key components, not every little piece I put on the car.

[Zachalanche]

I can think of a few companies that have iritated me enough that I will be removing thir logo from the part.

[Rod]

I can think of a few companies that have iritated me enough that I will be removing thir logo from the part.

here's the other side to logos on parts, I have not only had those companies that have displayed logos on my car ask if they could be my sponsor but I have also attained work because of them, just another side to think about

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

If i were EVER interested to buy that Edelbrock supercharger all those logos on it would convince me otherwise..

i would literally have to cover them up somehow.. or metal fill them..

[Black93GT]

I agree with small embossed or etched logos that you can only see when looking hard. I don't intend to have a single chevy bowtie or camaro emblem on my car... so any stickers other than a shocker will be long gone.

[srh3trinity]

I don't mind a little here and there, but Edelbrock has to be the worst offender when it comes to slapping their logo (while legendary) boldly on every part. That engine bay pic above would be so cool if it were just the matt black finish with a small tasteful logo instead of one on every part.

[brownz]

This reminds me of when I bought my first new truck and the dealer went to put the license plate frame on with the name and number of the dealer. I told the salesman to not put it in my truck. He looked at me like I had two heads. I then asked him are you taking more money off the price of the truck or paying me per month to advertise for this dealer? He was not happy LOL. I dont like it when peopl have every little sticker on the car but I do think it cool for events. If its done clean and simple

[Jim Nilsen]

Awe come on guy's , what will we ever do when we have had our cars for so long that we get alzheimers and start to forget where they came from? LOL. Or maybe we get hit with ADD and just plain get confused, you wouldn't want to be embarrassed to say you got those Comp T/A gauges when they are Pro Comp Autometer gauges would you?

Heck you could waste the whole night at a cruise night just explaining who made all of your parts and never get a chance to enjoy all the other no name cars cars in the parking lot !!!!

Then there are the parts I made myself that just wouldn't stand out if All the other parts weren't labeled. I have brackets that noone has ever asked me where they came from and others just scream out that I had to have made them because people who know their brands have never seen them anywhere. maybe I need to make my own logo and put it on them?

So to me they can do what they like with stickers because I can remove the easy enough and those that engrave or cast them in hopefully do it tastefully like Brett say's he likes to do to their parts. But all in all I don't really care one way or another because it is how well they work that makes the difference as to how long they stay there.

The other side of the coin is when a branded part starts to peel or discolor and look like crap and the logo or sticker still looks good, now that is a good advertisement for them, you bet!!

So if you are making parts and you want everyone to know how proud you are of your product you better make sure you put the quality in before the name goes on or you are going to embarass your company if I am too broke to put on your newest part that replaces them on. The other side of it is when you look at a part and can see that it has a million miles on it and it is still going and going and going wit hthe sticker falling off.

When you add it all up it is no wonder why I have stickers on my fridge that the companies are now out of business. I love my ATS stickers because they look so cool and yet I know the company has changed hands and yet they still make em.

So if you are a company and want to label your stuff , you better take heed to what is posted above or it could bite you in the sales department.

That about covers what I think. Can you tell I had the day off and plenty of time to think about something I could really care less about.

[protour_chevelle]

Itll be tough to find a brand name on my car. My edelbrock intake... I took to a machinist and had him mill the logo off the intake. TB is a Nick Williams, he doesn't put his name on his parts, however people know quality when they see it. My seats have their logo which is pretty hard to get away from. Gauges aswell. But If I can, the company name is coming off. Personal choice, I look at it as.... Would I get their logo Tattoo'd on my arm?

[Steve Chryssos]

This is an interesting thread as we do NOT put labels on our parts. We want our parts to be your parts. We want our parts to give off that Street Machine of The Year, bespoke, one-off vibe especially since every part gets finished by hand. It'd take nothing for us to engrave or laser etch our various bits with the logo or even just the "I" obelisk of our brand, so we're always second guessing this decision. Thread respondents seem to not really mind the branding or are indifferent, but poll respondents are strongly opposed.

Which is it?
Steevo

[Jim Nilsen]

This is an interesting thread as we do NOT put labels on our parts. We want our parts to be your parts. We want our parts to give off that Street Machine of The Year, bespoke, one-off vibe especially since every part gets finished by hand. It'd take nothing for us to engrave or laser etch our various bits with the logo or even just the "I" obelisk of our brand, so we're always second guessing this decision. Thread respondents seem to not really mind the branding or are indifferent, but poll respondents are strongly opposed.

Which is it?
Steevo

Maybe it's about the critiscism. The ones who responded can handle the critiscism when someone talks about the parts on there car and are willing to explain to others that it's function over form that matters and the ones who can't take the critiscism about the reasoning behind the parts they have on there car because they want to be popular and form is what counts? When someone asks why you bought a certain brand because it is slapping them across the face or someone tells you blatently that such and such a brand is better but you couldn't afford them you would just rather think that if the logo wasn't there neither would the conversation.


It's hard to take critiscism for most but very easy to criticize when it wasn't their choice or money buying them.

Interesting pshycological question there Steevo. Outspoken people must be able to give and take critisicism al ot better than those who are quiet and selfconscious.

[oldguy]

I think by the poll it is clear. As it says, some like it, some don't care, but most don't like it. Especially when they are paying for the part.

A car, at least in this industry, is an expression of ones personality and how that car makes them feel. Also uniqueness comes into the equation, I want to be different. I would liken it somewhat to body art.

When we build cars or bikes for customers we generally try to see if we can get the parts, less the branding. It actually sways us on the buying side. Some manufacturers co-operate, some don't. If we cant get the part without a logo, or they are the only manufacturer of the part, we will remove it by any means required and refinish the part.

We were building a MC for a customer and he liked a particular name brand of seat. Good manufacturer, well known. However this manufacturer placed his brand prominently on this black seat, in a red tag no less, stitched it right in the seam. The customer did not like that. This is an $800.00 MC seat. We called them and asked if they could build us a seat without the brand/tag and that we would be willing to pay any extra charges.

They declined. They didn't sell them that way. They said, how would anybody know its our seat then? HMMM.

The customer was disappointed, as he had wanted to try one. Well they didn't sell anything to this customer, nada, zip.

We did end up going to another manufacturer who was happy to oblige, same price, and actually better quality.

[oldguy]

This is an interesting thread as we do NOT put labels on our parts. We want our parts to be your parts. We want our parts to give off that Street Machine of The Year, bespoke, one-off vibe especially since every part gets finished by hand. It'd take nothing for us to engrave or laser etch our various bits with the logo or even just the "I" obelisk of our brand, so we're always second guessing this decision. Thread respondents seem to not really mind the branding or are indifferent, but poll respondents are strongly opposed.

Which is it?
Steevo

Like Jim said.

A poll allows them to be anonymous and post their true feelings, pro or con. Nothing to explain or defend. They either like it or don't.

No logo's have it by a majority.

[oldguy]

This is an interesting thread as we do NOT put labels on our parts. We want our parts to be your parts. We want our parts to give off that Street Machine of The Year, bespoke, one-off vibe especially since every part gets finished by hand. It'd take nothing for us to engrave or laser etch our various bits with the logo or even just the "I" obelisk of our brand, so we're always second guessing this decision. Thread respondents seem to not really mind the branding or are indifferent, but poll respondents are strongly opposed.

Which is it?
Steevo

Like Jim said.

A poll allows them to be anonymous and post their true feelings, pro or con. Nothing to explain or defend. They either like it or don't.

No logo's have it by a majority.

[JohnUlaszek]

On an anodized aluminum part its hard to resist the allure of laser etching, and we seriously considered this on the II Much Fuel/Diff vent but in the end decided to give people the option of removing the logo easily and chose a die cut vinyl decal.

[Steve Chryssos]

Like Jim said.
A poll allows them to be anonymous and post their true feelings, pro or con. Nothing to explain or defend. They either like it or don't.
No logo's have it by a majority.

Thanks, I sometimes forget that message boards are populated by silent majorities. No logos for Twist parts.

[tornadocaster]

77306
I have a high horsepower garbage can that my son made me and for friends. He likes to collect the stickers. I like the little extra you find in the box when the manufacturers drop in a sticker just for this.
I try to keep my vehicles with no labeling but if someone asks I'm glad to tell them.
Cheers!
Gio

[regal454]

My stickers find their way onto my toolbox, engine hoist, etc...but never onto my car.
77307

[2wolf_Michael]

If I am going to put logo's on a project. I think I would follow the turner crowd and do small ghosted versions along the rockers or such. To where they do not take away from the design, but may add to it.

[Thephranc]

I don't mind a small logo on a part but nothing garish and no company stickers as those are for tool boxes. I just put my own logo on the valve covers.