Now that I think about it, hijacked tanks look like fucking joke mobiles too. So maybe this can just be a server plug-in and all will be fine.
No wait, what if we had the sprays on a flag rather that is on the top of the vehicle. In my opinion it makes it look less "stupid" to have such vibrant colors on a flag rather then on the dark grey exterior of the tank. Heres an example of the idea. The game is called tread-marks.
And what would be the difference? If I had a problem with my spray on a tank I would change it myself anyway since I would have to drive it ...
You expect too much of the community there. Driver's name/icon/squadname presented on the tank = not THAT bad. Weaboo tanks = bad, but everyone loves it just as much as everyone loves emp_rainbowroad.