Topic: 75 750F SS tank badge emblem painting (done)

[gsgleason]

While the tank is boiling out at the radiator shop, I'm refinishing the tank emblems.  They're gold colored metal with raised, even letters, no ridges.  Originally it looked like the letters were left bare with black paint in the recesses between letters.  Like this pic which is too big to post: http://www.procyclesinc.com/750F-B.JPG

I am going to do it the same way as it came.  I like the look. 

What is a good method to do this?  I'm thinking either 1) hand paint with model enamel, using acetone to clean the edges of the letters afterward, or 2) covering the letters somehow and spraying them with enamel. 

Any other ideas or opinions?

[dagersh]

G-

http://coolretrobikes.com/hondaemblems.htm

Check out this link.  I have done some business with them on my CA92 seat, and he's a decent guy.  The kit is a bit pricey, and at least it will give you some ideas on how to refurbish yours. 

I would think that if you strip your existing emblems with Aircraft Stripper, brake fluid or if you go to a good hobby shop they sell some great stuff to strip plastic models.  Use a Semi-gloss black paint to repaint the emblems (I prefer Tamiya Brand from any good hobby store - it thins very well with rubbing alcohol if you use an airbrush, but their line of spraypaints leave a great finish as well), and then find some sort of gold leaf foil/paper from a craft store and rub it onto the emblems rasied surface.  You could then use Johnson's Kleer, or any good hobby shop dull or gloss coat to seal the paint on your work, it should hold up pretty well to the elements.

HTH,

Gersh

[gsgleason]

Done.  They looked like this originally, like the old worn ones in this pic:


I stripped them with acetone.  I first tried hand painting them with enamel.  Big waste of time.  It looked horrible, so I stripped again and decided to spray it and remove the top layer on the raised letters.  I sprayed three healthy coats of flat black, and first tried just rubbing off the top layer with a blue paper towel with a bit of acetone, but that was time consuming as it was pretty thick.  I instead used a razor to scrape most of the paint off the letters and then went over with the acetone, which worked much better.  The letters themselves are pretty knicked up, from 33 years of who knows what, but they're much better than before. 



the plan is to put a couple layers of the spray max two part clear coat that is fuel resistant on them, giving the black a little more glossy look.  Now I just need to find that stuff.