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Emblem Restoration

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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 12:39 PM
  #1  
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Default Emblem Restoration

Has anyone done this? What process do you go through?
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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 12:48 PM
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (corvettemaster)

All my stuff is sitting in a box waiting to go back on after paint. I freshened up the paint on the emblems with Testor's and a small brush. Just thinned the paint so it flowed well and daubed it on. Looks original.
:cheers:
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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 12:49 PM
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (corvettemaster)

Tried this with my emblems on the 77 - did it about 6 times, then gave up cause of not satisfying results.
I cleaned all paint from my emblems, the chrome was outstanding still, and sticked them chromed as they were to the car.
Makes a different stylish, but not original look to the car - I dont care, its custom anyway, but it looks nice with the dark blue paint and the shiny chrome emblems.....

I would advise you to look at modelcar shops to get a correct shine-through red paint for your flags. I think Tamiya makes a good paint for this.
Black and white can also be bought over there in small (!) cans, tins, however you may call it..... :D


[Modified by 454Big, 10:51 AM 4/4/2002]
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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 12:50 PM
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (corvettemaster)

I'm just about to do this, maybe next week. My emblems are still covered in chrome and it's just the paint that needs some attention. So I'll propably just get some paint and small brushes and paint them again. Shouldn't be too hard, just need to give some attention what kind of paint to get etc...
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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 12:53 PM
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (groovyjay)

Jay, watch my post!

I tried it, but the paint went up the edges, leaving the center of the flag field shine through.....

Leave them chrome - its a cool look!
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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 01:06 PM
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (corvettemaster)

The best paint to use for this is commercial grade sign enamel, in particular One-Shot brand. It's available in half-pints and it's too unreasonably priced though you will have way more than enough to do the emblems.

Any professional paint supply house will sell it. Also, buy a good lettering quill. It is flat when paletted out. Don't use your brush directly from the can to the emblem. Get an old magazine (slick printed works best) and pallette out the paint, running the brush back and forth. You want a bit of drag on the brush but only slightly. If you've ever watched a pinstriper or a sign painter you'll know what I'm describing.

Once you've applied the paint to the emblem give it a few minutes to tack. Then you can come back and carefully clean any edges using a Q-tip or a toothpick. I use a toothpick as it gives more control and doesn't leave any fuzzies in the paint.

Another trick if you can't find the One-Shot is to use spray can enamel. Spray it out on the magazine page and then pallette your brush from there to get it loaded. The hobby store brushes are junk. A good lettering quill will lay the paint down with no brush strokes and with much better control than those cheap nylon model brushes.

Hope this helps.
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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 01:07 PM
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (corvettemaster)

I restored mine with hobby paints. They look every bit as good as a new replacement.
:)


[Modified by Easy Mike, 11:34 AM 4/5/2002]
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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 01:10 PM
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (rhenning)

I meant to say One-Shot is "reasonably" priced, a half-pint costing around six to 10 dollars depending upon the color. Sorry for the typo.
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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 01:58 PM
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (rhenning)

I did it the easy way. I bought all new emblems!!! :yesnod:
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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 02:09 PM
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (corvettemaster)

I very recently repainted all my emblems. They look great. I took them off, cleaned them up, bought Testors model paint and a very thin brush. After I painted them, I clear coated them. I thought it was pretty easy and fun to do. I was so glad I did it, it looks so much nicer.
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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 10:51 PM
  #11  
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (VettePower)

I did it the easy way. I bought all new emblems!!! :yesnod:
I did the same thing for both emblems..... :( :( :( Unfortunately the one's I bought from Ecklers were so bad that after only a month the red enameled left flag turned almost white do to some film developing over it, and the black and white enamel in the right flag flaked off. $70 bucks down the drain after a few month's and I am not happy with the quality control at Ecklers :mad :mad :mad
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Old Apr 4, 2002 | 11:32 PM
  #12  
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (corvettemaster)

I used Tamiya hobby paints I did mine in 1986 and they still look good actually seem more durable than the factory job.
:cheers:
Ken
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Old Apr 5, 2002 | 12:40 AM
  #13  
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (corvettemaster)

I just had my front emblem removed....It was brand new. The emblem sort of made the front look more busy than I wanted it to look. I wanted a clean smooth flow to the front.....Anyone who knows how to post......E-mail me and I'll send you some pictures with the emblems and some without....then you can post here for others to have a peek....Red73 has all my pictures, however I have not heard from him lately. :seeya Cappy
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Old Apr 5, 2002 | 02:29 AM
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (corvettemaster)

I did the same thing. I used Testor's paint, thinned. The red is spot on, and white and black are white and black. You can't go wrong.
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Old Apr 5, 2002 | 12:59 PM
  #15  
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (corvettemaster)

Just done my L81 emblems. Used 800 grade wet-or-dry to remove the old paint & then painted the chrome parts with gloss black cellulose brushing paint (on other emblems in the past I've used black smoothrite with good results). Give it a couple of days to dry & then use Duraglit or Brasso (wadding with very fine abrasive in it) to polish the plastic part (gets out all the very minor scratches - use fine wet-or-dry on it 1st if there are deeper scratches) & get any unwanted paint off. If you carry on the polishing to the very edge it will slowly remove the paint to leave a chrome surround showing, with the edges black. Ive also polished the paint off of the flag staffs (the "V" in the middle, if that's the wrong name). I don't know if it's standard for an L81 - but it looks good :) Using the wadding takes ages but the results are excellent.
:cheers:
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Old Apr 5, 2002 | 02:28 PM
  #16  
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (corvettemaster)

My front emblem was new in the box when I got the car, but the gas door emblem paint was faded and flakeing off. I model extensively (WWII aircraft), so the logical choice was Testor's model enamel. It faded right away (hot NorCal sun!), and is now flakeing again. I will follow rhenning's advice and use automotive paint when I re-do it, although I may experiment with the Tamiya Acrylics and Future clear-coat on something else. Mainly, I have to deal with fade in this area.

Hans
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Old Apr 5, 2002 | 02:54 PM
  #17  
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Default Re: Emblem Restoration (Wrencher)

Hans,

The One-Shot enamel is not really automotive paint though it's been a favorite of professional pinstripers for years. It is a professional grade sign enamel made just for the rigors of outdoor life.

The sad thing is its not long for this world. It has a very heavy lead content.

Regards,
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