DIY: Emblem Color Change

[geckoboy86]

WARNING: This process has you working with chemicals so be careful. You do this at your own risk. This forum and myself are not responsible for damages. The process that is shown below will make visible any micro cracks already present in your emblem.

Materials needed/that I used:
Acetone (paint thinner and remover can damage the clarity)
Small cup
Qtips
Some form of a Cleaner
Tape
Paint (top and bottom coat, bottom coat color is based on your top cost color. Light top color, light bottom color and vice versa)
Double sided foam tape or similar adhesive

The cracks are only from certain angles.




Step one: Start.
Remove your emblem and get it ready for the paint removal process. For this, I use a knife or a straight edge screwdriver. Work around the sides and pry off. After its off, remove the original adhesive that was holding the emblem on for where it remains (whether the grille or emblem).




Step two: Paint Removal.
Pour some acetone into the small cup (1). Dip a Qtip in it and then begin to rub it against the inside against the paint(1). Focus on small areas at a time (2). Be careful around and chrome bits. You will see cracks become present (3). They were there before you started this process.

(1)
(2)
(2)
(3)

Step three: Clean and Prep.
Use a cleaner on the now clear emblem to remove hazing (4). Then wash it. Mask off outside of the emblem with tape (5). Avoid touching the clean inside.

(4)
(5)

Step four: Painting.
Make sure you are painting in a ventilated area with low humidity that isn't too cold or too hot. If using spray paint, prep the paint just before painting. To do this, hold the can under a running tap of hot water. Every so often shake the can and you will feel it cool. When you shake and it doesnt cool, the paint is ready. Dry the can.

Now beings the painting. Spray in light coats. The first coat should look just like a misting (6). Wait for this to dry before continuing. You can use something to help the drying process, I use an old hair dryer. The following coats of paint can be a little heavier then the first (7). Let dry after each coat.

(6)
(7)
Two more top coats were added to this^

(NOTE: I am paining using transparent paint as my first coat and then using a mask on the second coat I will have a third coat as my final)

After you think you are done, remove tape and check out your work, if it is done, re-tape it and apply bottom coat or if it's not done, re-tape and continue top coat painting.

Apply bottom coat light at first and then heavier until you can no longer see top coat.



After finishing, let dry for a few hours or days depending on your paint. Or play it safe and atleast wait a day.

Step five: New look
After its dry, apply your adhesive to the back of the emblem. Then put it back on the car. Take a step back and enjoy your custom colored emblem.




Here are a few past examples of mine.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Nice writeup. I did this with my grille. Used some OEM touchup paint to match the body:

(I don't have a picture of it, damn. I'll edit one in here later)

I also took it one step further - I created a light housing and stuck a 194 bulb holder and a 194 bulb in there to light up the stars like this:

[geckoboy86]

Updated with new pics showing the cracks.

[MarkSubi]

I want to do this whenever I finally get one.

[geckoboy86]

More pics added.

[Dead91silvia]

Cool!

[chrish8r]

Ill have to make note of this for when I get my wagon back. I think Im going to try to color match it to my cars color

[98legwag]

I am assuming the acetone will take the chrome off too? I'm thinking about doing this with an old emblem but I was thinking about making the stars a different color too.

[SilverSuby]

Do you have to mask the stars if you paint it by hand?
-Logan

[geckoboy86]

Updated with final product made during this DIY

I am assuming the acetone will take the chrome off too? I'm thinking about doing this with an old emblem but I was thinking about making the stars a different color too.

Try to avoid using acetone on the chrome if you want to keep it.
If you want to do the stars in another color do those first....

Do you have to mask the stars if you paint it by hand?
-Logan

If leaving them chrome or after you paint the stars, they shouldn't need to be masked off...Just make sure you can't see through them

[anothernord]

Can this be done on the L7 emblem?

[geckoboy86]

Can this be done on the L7 emblem?

I don't see why it couldn't be....

[Muse]

I've begun mine:

I'm thinking that instead of painting it, I'm going to use some spray adhesive and apply a piece of some kind of patterned fabric (plaid, or some such nonsense).
Concept proof:

[98legwag]

Just did this. Paint is still drying. I'm not expecting great results since my emblem was trashed to begin with. And no, didn't do this to the JDM grill.

EDIT-


I'm going to use some plastic polish on the outside to see if it cleans on some of the crud.