Emblem Fix
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Emblem Fix
I want to restore the nose emblem on my '76 vette, but I'm not sure how to go about it. It seems to be coated in some sort of red plastic, which is cracked in several places on my emblem. Not sure if this is fixable, but I wouldn't mind giving it a shot before I spend $75 on a new one. Does anyone know how to restore this type of emblem...any tips on the red plastic coating?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Ocala FL
It depends on how badly the red is cracked and whether or not you mind having a smooth finish. I'm not familiar with the 76 badge, but here's what I did to my Austin Healy and MG horn buttons.
First was to remove any clear coat or laquer
secend determine depth of damage and replace and missing color
third mix small amount of epoxy laminating resin and brush or spray over entire surface to fill defects
place in a DUST FREE area while the resin cures
wet sand any imperfections w/ 1000 or higher grit paper
spray with 3-4 coats clear laquer.
The epoxy DOES NOT have any UV resistance, so it will discolor and craze withouth the clear coat.
I use a similar process on emblems if I want to same instead of replacingthem
First was to remove any clear coat or laquer
secend determine depth of damage and replace and missing color
third mix small amount of epoxy laminating resin and brush or spray over entire surface to fill defects
place in a DUST FREE area while the resin cures
wet sand any imperfections w/ 1000 or higher grit paper
spray with 3-4 coats clear laquer.
The epoxy DOES NOT have any UV resistance, so it will discolor and craze withouth the clear coat.
I use a similar process on emblems if I want to same instead of replacingthem
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Aren't those sort of badges "painted" or coated with colour from the back or underneath? In other words, the chrome of the flags and the lettering would be laid first, then the black and white and finally the red over the top of that. What you see on the front is just the clear "plastic" material.
I've repaired old horn buttons in the past and they were constructed like that. If the colour in the horn button was damaged or missing, I repaired it by repainting it from the rear. If the "plastic" over the front was cracked or chipped, I repaired the damage with 2 part casting resin then sanded it to the correct profile then polished it.
Can you post a pic of the back of the emblem?
I've repaired old horn buttons in the past and they were constructed like that. If the colour in the horn button was damaged or missing, I repaired it by repainting it from the rear. If the "plastic" over the front was cracked or chipped, I repaired the damage with 2 part casting resin then sanded it to the correct profile then polished it.
Can you post a pic of the back of the emblem?
