Topic: Restoration of the HONDA tank emblem... (new pics)

[sbparks]

Hi Folks,

 I've been looking for hints for the best way to embark on this task, so I thought it best to document my experience.  Possibly, I can get a few pointers along the way.

 The HONDA emblem in question is the tank emblem.  These are from a 1974 CB750 K4.  I've removed them with little difficulty and I still have the four (two per side) metal emblem clips that I hope to use when I reinstall the emblems.

 I want to post a before shot of what I am starting with:

[sbparks]

So, after an afternoon of parts cleaning, and other CB750 restoration activities, I was able to strip the paint from the emblems.  This did take more effort than I thought it would.  Quite a bit of scrubbing.  The metal emblems stood up to the solvent without any problems.

 I don't know if you can tell, but one emblems is completely clean.  The other has some black still remaining that seems very stubborn.  I think I can work with these the way they are.

 Here's what I have to work with now...

[Colonel]

I have been looking at my two cleaned up tank emblem for a while and I am still trying to find the best way to restore them to original.
I can spray paint the letters white but need to protect an preserve the silver outline; then I have to protect both Letters and outline for a black coat.
I have been trying the kids play-doh to see if it can turn into a masking compound, thought about using wax, etc... but I am stuck.

Any advice?

Stephen

[Caseygroh1]

I've been thinking of doing this. here is my idea: spray the whole thing white, then put on a wide strip of masking tape lightly. take a razor blade and outline the honda letters (its actually not that had the cut along a sharp corner like you'll have on the edge of the letters) once the letters are masked, sprat on the black. after the whole thing is dry, remove the tape. to get the silver outline, take a razor blade perpendicular to the emblem and scrape back and forth to remove the white paint.
I'll give it a try when I get the chance, but I don't think this will be too hard. hope this might be of help to you

[MickeyX]

you can get silver paint pens at the auto store. 

[ev0lve]

I painted the black first, let dry, brush white in the letters, bake, then a light sanding on the high points to get the silver back where I screwed up and overpainted. Worked pretty well. A Dremel would make short work of it.

Best shot I've got

[cookindaddy]

I used a toothpick to crack the stubborn black paint off without damaging the plating.
I used a razor to trim masking tape but was careful not to knick the plating.

I used a small foam roller to roll on the final paint. If you fill the roller and then run it several times on clean paper to remove the excess paint, you will find that you can apply the finish coat on the tops of the letters and the surrounding edge with no problem. Before the paint was fully dry, I ran over the edges of the letters with a dry toothpick to clean up the excess paint whiskers.

[ekpent]

+1 with Iggy--Paint black-fill in the white keeping it in the letter boundries and when fully dry block sand the high spots with some 400 wet/dry. Makes it all look very crisp.

[Raul CB750K1]

I masked the letters and tried to carefully cut the letter contour with a razor blade. Then sprayed black.

For the white letters -CB350- I used glossy white nail polish. Cotton earbuds and polish remover at hand to clean those points where my hand was not that firm. They stand the 4-feet distance sight test and for me it is good enough as long as there is nothing better for the price. One or two hours per emblem, I would have rather bought them at $30 each had they been available.

[flybox1]

this is in my plans as well, but am wondering the best way to get them off without bending them or gouging my tank paint.  350F (original tank)

what is holding them on?  glue, or clips like my sidecover emblems?

did you guys use a clearcoat over your finished product?
thanks

[Gnat]

+2 with IGGY. Use common garden Variety Hobby Shop Enamel paint. I Used Model Mater Enamels. Flow on the Black (I used Semi-Gloss) allow to dry for a day. flow in the White (I used Gloss). Where you may have gotten it on the ridge, take an old tee shirt with a little laquer thinner and wipe in one direction only, refolding after every wipe and you will clean it off pretty easy.

I had the added problem of having to redo the chrome as the bagdes on mine are plastic

before


after


HTH
Gnat

[sbparks]

 I haven't quite finished with this portion of my project.  I will post my finished photos when I do finish.

 I too, I have used the same procedure that 'Iggy' outlined for us.  I masked the outer border using masking tape (black electrical tape gives a nice clean line as well).  Then I sprayed everything with a coat of black.  Let it dry.  Then I used white enamel (Testors) that was slightly thinned (so it would flow better) to fill the interior of each letter.  This wasn't to terribly difficult to do a nice, neat job.

 The part I just haven't got back to is to block sand the top of each letter back to the underlying silver.  I'll use a 600/800 grit and a block to keep it neat.

 This should work great - At least on the metal emblems.  The plastic side cover emblems are a little more problematic in that you can't remove by sanding as you'll be down into the plastic.  I painted those, essentially, by hand.

 My "finished'' photos will be posted when I get a chance.

[sbparks]

Hey there,

 I promised a picture of my finished tank emblems.  I'll do even better... Here's a shot of the finished emblems and the finished tank.  I am very pleased.

 I had the emblems completed some time ago.  Finally, the tank (and side covers) are done too.  Hope ya like 'em!

 Of course, I have a question...

 I still have the small metal clamps that hold the metal emblem to the tank.  I plan to re-use them.  Fortunately, both metal emblems also have their mounting 'posts' as well.

 I was thinking of using something to help hold the emblems in place.  I don't want them rattling or vibrating while I ride.  How about some silicone sealant behind the emblems?  More specifically, just in and around the mounting posts?

 This would help to 'tack' things in place and also, be potentially removable in the future if necessary (no epoxy or anything permanent like that!).

 What do you think?

Scott

 

[Markcb750]

Great Job!

The tank looks very nice.

thanks

[Johnie]

Scott...did you paint that tank. Fantastic...did you use the DonDirtBiker vintage paints or House of Color or something else. It is something how these fade from that era as I heard they faded quite fast. My K4 tank is OEM and perfect except for the faded top. I plan to have it painted next year as I want to do the candy gold K1 yet this winter/spring. Here is a pic of my tank before I restored the HONDA badge.

[MickeyX]

3M doubled sided tape. Works great, will hold in at highway speeds, with or without screws and you can take them back off by sliding some dental floss behind the emblems.

[ev0lve]

3M doubled sided tape. Works great, will hold in at highway speeds, with or without screws and you can take them back off by sliding some dental floss behind the emblems.

+1 That's what's holding mine on.

[sbparks]

Johnnie,

 I figured someone would ask me if I painted it or not.  Even being a man who prides himself in doing a lot of things himself, I have to be honest and say that I didn't.  I've done a fair amount of painting, but I wanted this tank done just right and the side covers needed some crack repair, so I bailed and had someone do it for me.  There, I said it!

 I think most of you know my painter by the 'eBay guy that paints the honda tanks'.  His name is Paul.  He really did a super job.  The color looks spot on!  My teenagers don't like the color (yuck!).  I love it.  So seventies.  Everyone 'oohs' and 'aws' when they see the metal flake.

 So, I really don't know what he used, but I could ask him if you like.

Scott (the guy who didn't paint his own tank )

[Johnie]

Scott...I only do paint on my small black parts like gauges, foot pegs, etc. As far as the colors I have an experienced candy painter 5 miles from my house. He is super friendly and has a great looking professional shop. Take a gander at my KO candy ruby red below. And yes, I would greatly appreciate it if you could get me the brand name of silver base coat and top coat paint codes for my sunflake orange. And if I may ask one more favor, can you find out if he has the codes for the candy gold? Thanks a lot...

[fang]

+1  I also am interested in those paint color codes.  I'll be watching this post for the info! 

By the way, you guys have done a fantastic job with those old emblems.  Kudos to ya!