Honda CR-Z Front and Rear H Emblem Replacement (Red JDM Badges)
Introduction
The CR-Z leaves the factory with plain H badges front and rear, and many owners swap them for the JDM-style red H emblems used on Honda's Type R models. This guide covers removing both factory emblems, cleaning off the old adhesive, and mounting the replacements so they sit level in the body recess. It applies to the Honda CR-Z, though the same technique works for any Honda whose badges are held by adhesive and a pair of locating posts. Because the popular red emblems are sourced from other Honda models (EP3, FD2, and similar), they tend to be a slightly different size than the stock indentation, so the procedure includes filling the recess with foam tape for a flush fit. It is a low-cost cosmetic upgrade that also lets you see exactly how the OEM badges are mounted. Adapted from a community writeup by hoisumguo on CRZ Forum (https://www.crzforum.com/threads/diy-replacing-emblems.2236/), including corrections from the follow-up discussion.
Reference
Tools Required
- Dental floss or fishing line (to cut the adhesive)
- Flat screwdriver
- Pliers
- Scissors
- Microfiber cloth
- Goo Gone or similar adhesive remover
Parts Required
-
Replacement front H emblem (e.g. FD2/Fit front, Honda part# 75700-SNW-003)
-
Replacement rear H emblem (e.g. 04-05 EP3 rear, Honda part# 75700-S5T-E11)
-
3M double-sided foam tape
Safety Warnings
- ⚠ Do not scrub adhesive off with a microfiber cloth or polish it away aggressively; owners reported scuffs and scratches in the paint from doing so. Use floss and light finger pressure, then a mild scratch remover only if needed.
- ⚠ A heat gun is not required for removal and leaves a large amount of tape to clean up.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1 Choose the replacement emblems and gather supplies
Decide whether you want the badge to sit inside the factory recess or overlap it, because that determines which emblem to buy. Type R emblems from other Honda models are the usual choice and are generally a little larger than the CR-Z indentation, so plan to fill the recess with tape. Set out fishing line or dental floss for cutting the old adhesive, a screwdriver and pliers, a microfiber cloth, an adhesive remover such as Goo Gone, and a roll of 3M double-sided foam tape to level the new emblems.
2 Understand how each factory emblem is mounted
Before prying anything, note the two different mounting styles. The front badge is held by adhesive plus two plastic posts that seat into holes behind the hood grille, so it resists coming off cleanly. The rear badge is easier: it uses a single strip of adhesive along its top edge, and its two locating pins simply slot into a pair of plastic mounting hubs in the body. Those rear hubs can be popped out and reused later.
3 Remove the front emblem
Work a length of dental floss or fishing line behind the badge and saw side to side to slice through the adhesive. The two locating posts anchor the front emblem firmly, and in practice the front usually cannot be freed without breaking it loose from those posts. If needed, wrap the tip of a screwdriver in a microfiber cloth and gently snap the posts free from behind. There are no reusable pin guides at the front, so expect to sacrifice the old front badge.
4 Remove the rear emblem
Slide the floss under the single adhesive strip along the top of the rear badge and cut through it. The rear emblem's pins then slide straight out of their two mounting hubs with no breakage required. Ease the badge off, and if you want to reuse the hubs on a later install, pull them out carefully and keep them.
5 Clean off the old adhesive
Peel the remaining foam tape away by hand; rolling it off with your fingertips lifts most of it cleanly. Treat any leftover residue with a small amount of Goo Gone and wipe the panel down. Take your time here so the surface is smooth before the new badge goes on.
6 Prepare the new emblems
Test-fit each replacement against its recess. If the locating posts on the back of a new emblem do not line up with the holes in the body, trim or snap them off with pliers so the badge can sit flat. Note that the rear replacement usually seats fine without removing its pins, so only cut the posts that actually get in the way. Cut strips of 3M foam tape to fit inside the recess.
7 Apply foam tape and set the emblems
Because the replacement emblems are slightly larger than the factory indentation, their own adhesive backing alone will not sit flush. Lay the double-sided foam tape into the recess to fill the void and build the surface up to the emblem, which levels it and improves adhesion. This matters most at the rear, where a curved badge on a flatter panel can otherwise gap in the middle. Peel the tape backing, align the emblem in the recess, and press firmly across the whole badge to seat it.
8 Optional: debadge the Hybrid and CR-Z lettering
If you also want to remove the Hybrid and CR-Z script badges, note that both are held by adhesive only with no holes behind them. Cut the adhesive with fishing line, then roll the tape off with your fingers and clean any residue with Goo Gone. A heat gun is not necessary and tends to leave more tape behind.
Pro Tips
- 💡 Cut the factory adhesive with dental floss or fishing line, then roll the leftover tape off with your fingers before touching it with any cleaner. Members reported removing the Hybrid badge this way in about 10 minutes.
- 💡 The CR-Z recess measures roughly 110mm x 82mm, while EP3 and FD2 emblems are about 95mm x 75mm (3.75 in x 3 in), so those Type R badges overlap the edges rather than dropping inside the indentation. Fill the gap with foam tape.
- 💡 Common part choices are the FD2/Fit front emblem, Honda part# 75700-SNW-003, and the 04-05 EP3 rear emblem, Honda part# 75700-S5T-E11. A European EP3 front is also cataloged as Honda part code PFKL813661.
- 💡 For a larger badge that clears the contoured edge, the 06+ Civic Si front runs about 1/8 to 1/4 inch bigger than the stock indentation.
- 💡 If you want a matching interior touch, the red H key cover is Honda part# 35114-SNW-J01.
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