Topic: Need advice on re-finishing my tank badges?

[Two-Bit]

I am having a buddy of mine paint my tank, but I want to re-finish my tank badges. The paint is pretty faded and bubbled up. First, I need to know what works best for stripping the existing paint off? Then, I was thinking about spraying the whole badge black, and then brushing in the HONDA letters with white model paint. Followed possibly by a clear coat? Does this sound like a good plan, or does anyone have any better advice for doing this? Thanks!

[Jimsun]

I am having a buddy of mine paint my tank, but I want to re-finish my tank badges. The paint is pretty faded and bubbled up. First, I need to know what works best for stripping the existing paint off? Then, I was thinking about spraying the whole badge black, and then brushing in the HONDA letters with white model paint. Followed possibly by a clear coat? Does this sound like a good plan, or does anyone have any better advice for doing this? Thanks!

I used a paint stripper found at canadiantire.ca since its easier to access. However, i believe its easier to grab aircraft paint stripper. If this is so, thats your best bet when stripper these guys. Dont bother using a flat head or something to scrape em off. You might run into scratching the surface of the letters. Happened to me. Good thing i started testing with my spares before hitting the good stuff.

[MoMo]

Sharpie oil pens work great for redoing tank emblems.  Pens  can be purchased in many sizes at any art supply store...Larry

[Vinhead1957]

I did mine and they came out awesome.  The white metal ones are ok to strip but be careful with the newer model plastic ones. Stripper will destroy them.  I sprayed a base color black hand painted (model paint white) wet sanded the edges down to clear metal then sprayed clear.

I did have a airbrush for spraying....   I use it on models

[Vinhead1957]

Finished product

[Johnie]

Mine were metal so I just soaked them in old carb cleaner that I use for degreasing. Sprayed the black and hand painted the white.

[Vinhead1957]

My originals were silver.   Like Johnies. I wet sanded the base black off with fine grit paper to reveal the silver, then clear coated

[Two-Bit]

Mine were metal so I just soaked them in old carb cleaner that I use for degreasing. Sprayed the black and hand painted the white.

Did you use steel wool to get the paint off after soaking in carb cleaner? Also, I see yours have the silver around the edge of the letters. Did you sand that part after spraying in black and before hand painting white?

[Johnie]

After soaking the paint just fell off. I did not have to use any wool. I taped off the lettering so the edge was clean.

[Airbusboy]

I used semi-gloss black for the background and then used a Q-tip dabbed in brake cleaner to wipe the excess paint off the edges of the letters that had plastic chrome on them from Honda.  Then like the others did, used white model paint and a slow steady hand to paint the letter interiors. Did the badging on the side covers and the tank...came out REAL nice! 

[WhyNot2]

Stripped all the paint off mine and they have a goldish color, left them that way, look purdy neat against a blitz black surfaced tank.

[Powderman]

I have restore tank emblems all in powder coat. Of course this is only an option on metal emblems.
Here is a Suzuki set I did with a Sparkle Silver back round, red letters and then the raised borders were sanded to a brushed finish.

[Garage_guy_chris]

I havent done the tank badges yet but i have did the side cover badges for those:

1. Paint removed with lacquer thinner and a a nylon brush
2. Sprayed black with spray paint
3. wait for the paint to tack up just a bit.
4. with a cloth wet with lacquer thinnner wipe the black paint off the high spots
5. Let black totally dry
6. Using a small needle and syringe loaded with white paint flood paint the inside of the letters

[Two-Bit]

I just soaked my badges in paint thinner for several hours. It hasn't done anything yet. Time to get out the aircraft paint remover.

[Two-Bit]

So I go some "Klean Strip" and it took the paint right off. However, there is still some silver powder coating over the (what I now know is gold) badge. The thing is that I am liking the silver lettering as opposed to the white that I was thinking of painting it. I am now considering painting the "HONDA" silver, and then hand painting the in-between parts black followed by a clear coat. I know it's not original, but I think it might look good.? Not sure yet?