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restoring black on emblem


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I bought two nos Comanche emblems on line. Still with the doubled sided tape. :) The chrome is perfect, but, the black is oxidized and there is some distinctive green corrosion along the edges. I don't want to screw these up. Was thinking about soaking them in marine clean, carefully cleaning them with a soft toothbrush, then alcohol, then taking them to a hobby shop to see if a could hire a model geek to hand paint the black. I don't think I have skill to paint in the black with a fine brush. Had also thought about trying to mask the chrome and spray but don't think I could tape the chrome effectively. Anyone aware of a good technique? YouTube video?

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If the emblem has raised letters, clean it up well then spray the whole face with a light coat of rattle can satin black. Before it dries, you use a parer towel damp with mineral spirits and lightly rub off the paint from the letter face. Repeat for a second coat. When completely dry, coat all with poly clearcoat to seal it. The emblem below was machined aluminum with no paint when I purchased it. I've also done the Comanche emblems the same way. Works well when you take your time.

 

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Don, I experimented with a similar technique on a Junker emblem with poor results. I'll try it again as you describe.

 

I would note that on the nos emblem the chrome letters are chrome on the face and relief edges so using this technique would alter them from the original design. Not that I think anyone would notice or care, but, I did say I'm a bit obsessive.

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Well if your OCD is that bad, maybe it's time for new truck!! JK, they make some stuff I use a lot in the R/C world called liquid mask. It's exactly what it sounds like if your not familiar just brush it on entire surface then carefully use a razor knife and cut excess. It's great for those impossible to tape projects like this good luck!

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Were did you buy that? 

 

I would like one for my tale-gate.

 

Thanks

If the emblem has raised letters, clean it up well then spray the whole face with a light coat of rattle can satin black. Before it dries, you use a parer towel damp with mineral spirits and lightly rub off the paint from the letter face. Repeat for a second coat. When completely dry, coat all with poly clearcoat to seal it. The emblem below was machined aluminum with no paint when I purchased it. I've also done the Comanche emblems the same way. Works well when you take your time.

 

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Hey hornbrod, if I send my emblems to you will you make them all look like new? OK seriously I'll try it myself when I'm at the new paint stage ;)  Good tip.

 

NOT.   :yes:    If I can do it, anyone can. In the pic below I redid the Metric Ton emblem as well as the Stroker emblem. The MT emblem was pretty beat up and that one took some time to make decent. I have a bit of the OCD disease also, but I think the OP Co-MAAAN-cheee might have me beat.  :rotfl2:

 

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I picked up some of the liquid mask. Cool stuff, but, dang, I spent 30 mins trimming to finish masking the c and o in Comanche then the mask peeled up on the edge of the m. If someone wanted to use this stuff you'll need to really make sure the surface is 100% clean, the mask is applied evenly, your blade is sharp and you have lots of patience. Not for me. I tried don's technique. I need a bit more practice, but, way easier with quick results. Btw - when I was trying don's technique I laid a cloth on my table and rub the emblem on it to remove the paint. Worked pretty god except my figures marred the edges. I'm going to adhere some tshirt material to a 1"x3" block of wood to use as a float to remove the paint from the letters. I'll post on how it worked.

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I picked up some of the liquid mask. Cool stuff, but, dang, I spent 30 mins trimming to finish masking the c and o in Comanche then the mask peeled up on the edge of the m. If someone wanted to use this stuff you'll need to really make sure the surface is 100% clean, the mask is applied evenly, your blade is sharp and you have lots of patience. Not for me. I tried don's technique. I need a bit more practice, but, way easier with quick results. Btw - when I was trying don's technique I laid a cloth on my table and rub the emblem on it to remove the paint. Worked pretty god except my figures marred the edges. I'm going to adhere some tshirt material to a 1"x3" block of wood to use as a float to remove the paint from the letters. I'll post on how it worked.

surface diff needs to be clean and I have always gave it more time then label suggests before trimming for better results
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The other method I've used in the past, when I was younger with better eyes and more concentration,

was to lightly coat the letters with PAM cooking spray and then spray the background color once dry

you can simply wipe the PAM off.  The key here is several light coats. 

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I used a blend of ideas with excellent results. I bought some wipe cloths at lowes. Very similar to tshirt material. Wrapped it around a small block of wood. Applied a very slight amount of mineral oil then used it to apply a light coat to the chrome surface. Then a light coat of spray paint. Wait a minute. Then wrap the block with dry cloth. Then rub off the paint. Let paint dry. Then repeat. Quick, easy, excellent results.

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