Refurbishing Painted Emblems
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 6
From: Lake Charles LA
Refurbishing Painted Emblems
Ok, may be a dumb question, but has anyone had luck "restoring" the like new look to painted body emblems? All four crossed flag emblems on my 79 are faded, but otherwise in good condition. Has anyone repainted these and is there any "correct" color for the red that is used? No big deal with the black and white - I don't think. These things sell for around $100 each and it would sure be nice to not have to pay almost $500 for the four crossed flag emblems (and the rear bumper emblem).
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: Sparta Mo.
Yeah, I do this all the time. I did the gas door emblem on my '82. It came out nice. I used Testors model paint. It held up just fine. Enamel paint is enamel paint. Years later, they looked the same as the day I did them. I just used the red paint in the basic kit you can buy. If it doesn't cover on the first coat, go over it again and it'll look great.
Last edited by earthquake68; Dec 28, 2010 at 11:20 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Agreed, Testors model paint for all 3 colors. I did all of mine, but my problem was the chrome still didn't look new, so I have replaced every one of mine. I willl caution you that the red straight out of the bottle is a little too red. You need to dull it a little with maroon to match exactly the factory color if that is your preference, or just paint them with straight red if that works for you.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
There is an article in car craft's how-to section about making your own molds and casting new emblems and they use a mirra chrome paint they say has 95% the reflectivity of real chrome. I've been looking at repainting mine too.
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Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 6
From: Lake Charles LA
Well, not perfect, but definitely looks a little better...
• Before...
• After...
I used Testors #1104 Dark Red. Looks pretty close.
This is the fuel door emblem. Of course, the darn thing broke when I tried to unscrew the nut on the other side. I didn't really apply any significant force and one of the posts just snapped off. I will have to get some double sided tape to better secure it.
• Before...
• After...
I used Testors #1104 Dark Red. Looks pretty close.
This is the fuel door emblem. Of course, the darn thing broke when I tried to unscrew the nut on the other side. I didn't really apply any significant force and one of the posts just snapped off. I will have to get some double sided tape to better secure it.
Last edited by beige79; Dec 29, 2010 at 03:58 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
I was just going to suggest this.
Drip the paint onto the emblem with the toothpick and let it flow out smooth. No brush marks or overlapping this way.
To get the original paint off, I used a can of spray stripper from the local parts store. Testors enamel has held up great for 2 years now.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 38
From: springtown Texas
but after @ 2 weeks they turned a grey color
i figured the chrome look wouldn't last but it was worth a shot
i want to strip them and go back to black this time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte (Area) North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Well, not perfect, but definitely looks a little better...
• Before...
• After...
I used Testors #1104 Dark Red. Looks pretty close.
This is the fuel door emblem. Of course, the darn thing broke when I tried to unscrew the nut on the other side. I didn't really apply any significant force and one of the posts just snapped off. I will have to get some double sided tape to better secure it.
• Before...
• After...
I used Testors #1104 Dark Red. Looks pretty close.
This is the fuel door emblem. Of course, the darn thing broke when I tried to unscrew the nut on the other side. I didn't really apply any significant force and one of the posts just snapped off. I will have to get some double sided tape to better secure it.
It came out great! I took the easy way out and bought an NOS one on ebay (Christmas present to myself) Just put it on today in fact. Looks great!
