Emblem restoration
Q: Emblem restoration
I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to do emblem restoration? Is this something I can do myself? I have all of the emblems except for the passenger side “Firebird” front emblem, and the “400” trunk emblem. All of the emblems are in decent shape — except all of the black/red paint isn’t there anymore. There is a bit of silver flaking on a couple of them, but nothing I really want to worry about right now.
Is this something I can do myself with a paintbrush? Are there specific colors I should get?
A: Unless your doing a Concourse restoration, close is good enough. Because of the size and distance, most people couldn’t tell if its not the perfect shade. I’ve panted emblems a couple of ways:
1- Clean well with lacquer thinner and an old tooth brush.
2- Choose your paint. I’ve used engine enamel and applied it with a fine paint brush. I’ve also applied it with an old WD-40 straw (I couldn’t find my brush). Make sure you put enough on the emblems to “flow” up to the edges.
2b- I’ve also used fingernail polish. It sounds strange but it comes with a brush, it’s enamel paint, and the colors are great. It’s a little thin so it may take two coats.
Good Luck.
A: I have done on a number of cars over the years. It works and last a long time.
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Remove all the old paint.
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Wash with paint thinner, then mild detergent
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Dry
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Take a pan tin, turn it upside down and punch holes to fit the emblems prongs
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Place emblems, letters etc in tim and paint. if it requires more than one color do only one at a time.
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Prewarm an oven to 250 degrees
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Place tin with emblems in the oven for about 15 minutes.
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Remove and let cool.
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After all color painting is complete brush on a clear coat and bake it for 10 minutes.
The heat bakes and smooths the paint. I just saw a vette I restored in ’91 and the emblems looked like new. (no he had not replaced them)
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