Author Topic: Honda Tank Emblem Repair  (Read 6255 times)

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Offline Rocker

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Honda Tank Emblem Repair
« on: November 24, 2010, 05:36:17 PM »
Curious what others have done to touch up their Honda tank emblems. Mine has some of the white paint chipping off the letters and a little black paint chips as well. Or it is just as easy to replace them?



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Offline Johnie

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Re: Honda Tank Emblem Repair
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2010, 05:48:50 PM »
Those are the same as my K4 emblems. I repainted mine since you can not get those anymore. I used a model paint from the local hobby shop. I used Acrylic white as it flows better than enamel and does not leave any brush marks. I think I did like 5 thin coats. Be sure to remove as much of the white as you can. Did not clear it when done.
« Last Edit: November 24, 2010, 05:55:02 PM by Johnie »
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Offline Rocker

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Re: Honda Tank Emblem Repair
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2010, 06:36:49 PM »
What did you use to remove the existing white paint?
~Rocker (aka Adam) | rocker@sohc4.net | SOHC/4 member #4151 | Facebook

Current Bikes:                   
1975 CB750 K5 pic                 
1974 CB360T " lil' twin " Rebuild thread
1976 CB550 K2 Cafe Racer build thread
1975 CB550 K1 parts bike Parted out and cut up.         
2003 VTX 1800C

Bikes I've had:
1974 CB550 K0
1976 CB750 K6

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Honda Tank Emblem Repair
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2010, 06:44:00 PM »
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline jdubb1977

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Re: Honda Tank Emblem Repair
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2010, 08:26:57 PM »
another member had posted this method for removing old paint.  I tried it, and it worked great.  pour lacquer thinner in a pan of some sort and immerse the emblem.  the paint should start coming off right away.  then just scrub it w/ a nylon brush.  all the paint will come off, leaving you w/ the bare plated metal below.  then you can paint from scratch. 

Offline GammaFlat

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Re: Honda Tank Emblem Repair
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2010, 08:57:14 PM »
K6
K7 
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Offline Rocker

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Re: Honda Tank Emblem Repair
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2010, 09:41:25 PM »
It's my fav. Looks great in sunlight too. Here is a full shot of her:

« Last Edit: November 24, 2010, 09:43:34 PM by Rocker »
~Rocker (aka Adam) | rocker@sohc4.net | SOHC/4 member #4151 | Facebook

Current Bikes:                   
1975 CB750 K5 pic                 
1974 CB360T " lil' twin " Rebuild thread
1976 CB550 K2 Cafe Racer build thread
1975 CB550 K1 parts bike Parted out and cut up.         
2003 VTX 1800C

Bikes I've had:
1974 CB550 K0
1976 CB750 K6

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Re: Honda Tank Emblem Repair
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2010, 03:12:04 AM »
compressed air will remove the loose paint, soaking is fine too.  THE best paint for touching them up is one-shot pinstripers enamel.  I just did a set for my 72 CB450 and they turned out spectacular.

Offline cookindaddy

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Re: Honda Tank Emblem Repair
« Reply #8 on: November 25, 2010, 03:38:00 AM »
What can you do if the plating is coming off? I have a couple of side covers to refinish and the metallic coating on the emblem has come off in a couple places. It is green where the plating used to be which I am assuming is the copper undercoat.

I have looked at the metallic lacquers from Duplicolor and but I haven't tried the gold one.

It would be a difficult job I think to strip the emblem completely including all the plating, paint it with gold and then hand paint the background black.

I don't have access to small scale plating. Is there anyone on the forum that does this?

How have others tackled this problem? Thanks!
George with a black 78 CB750K (in Lion's Head, Ontario, Canada)

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Re: Honda Tank Emblem Repair
« Reply #9 on: November 25, 2010, 03:42:53 AM »
I tackle that problem with the purchase of emblems without the gold rubbed off.  That being said, I am open to someone coming up with a better way.

Offline drones76

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Re: Honda Tank Emblem Repair
« Reply #10 on: November 25, 2010, 05:35:33 AM »
Since the part where the white paint goes is recessed, I used liquid White acrylic.  Get the good stuff from Michaels or another artist type store.  The cheaper stuff is too thick and does not flow and if you thin it with water, the majority of it evaporates.  Then get a small empty plastic bottle with very small hole.  I bought another type of paint and dumped it just to use the bottle.  Put the tip of the small bottle in the acrylic and suck up a small amount into the bottle.  Since it flows nicely, you can just squeeze it into the letter 'channels'.  With a steady hand it can be very accurate.  I kept a couple of toothpicks on hand to guide it up to the edges of the letters.  If the emblem had a silver or gold edge, a metallic sharpie type pen works great.  Also, a touch up pen from a car works for the trim.  Again, a steady hand is helpful. 
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