Restoring faded badges

[markER717]

If your like me, and you actually like the badges on your car, but they look really old and faded and you can't get your hands on better ones, all you need is: 1x flat bladed screw driver or a prying tool of your choosing, 1x can of black glass enamel, 1x can of chrome enamel(if your silver has lost its shine), a can of prepwash(or any other wax and grease remover), a few clean rags and enough patience to ignore the enviable spelling errors in the following steps.

Step one: Removing the badges from your car
For this step you will need:Screw driver or prying device, Masking tape(optional)
I removed my '3.8 litre', the 'Calais' and 'Holden' badge from my boot, All I did was carefully! remove them by prying them with a screw driver, because when you do this you do not snap a part of the badge off or scratch your car. If you want to be perfect and fit that badge in its exact original position then you can surround it with masking tape, I chose not to.

Step two: Silver Coat (optional)
For this step you will need: Chrome enamel, Prepwash
If your silver on your badge is a little faded its not a problem because once the black is applied it really brings out the silver, but if your silver is worn through so that the black plastic can be seen then you will need this step, otherwise you can feel free to skip it. First wash the enamel with your Spray the whole badge(s) with your chrome enamel don't worry about the black buts as you will fix this later. If you chose to do this step, you should wait about 24 hours for the paint to dry fully, so that the paint is not removed in the next step.

Step three: The Outer Edges
For this step you will need: Black Enamel, Rag(s), Prepwash, Steady hand.
Hear comes the part wear all your work comes together, Spraying the black surrounding edges. Have all your needed items near by as you will need to use them quickly so the paint doesn't dry. Now if you have re-done your silver and let it dry properly be sparingly with the amount of prepwash used. Spray badge in the black make sure to cover every part and crevice. Now quickly first use a dry rag or sponge and wipe the black paint of the silver parts, once it becomes harder to take off, use a small ammount of prepwash on a rag tightly pulled on your finger; wipe black paint off silver until it looks new(or pretty close to it).

Final Step:
Let the paint dry properly then back with a good water resistant two sided tape and apply where they were, most older cars should have a fade line to tell you where they went or you masked up the area to make it easier. Finally sit back and look at your near new badges.

Notes:

• Remember to be patient as if you use too much cleaner you or can remove paint you want to stay there
• This isn't always necessary you could just go out and buy new badges, but if like me you like doing fiddly things or can't find new ones then this is for you
• I take no responsibility for damage done to your car or badge as a result of this simple guide as this should only be used as such, if you do not trust yourself enough to not do damage do not go through with these steps.

The rest of the pics up soon!

[jme2412]

wouldn't it be better to use glue to stick the badges back on so they don't stick out a bit due to the two-sided tape?
I'm doin this to my 's' badge on my decklid and trying to figure out how to stick it back on once i've painted it.

[markER717]

Well the come factory with two sided tape most the time and the tape, in my option does a better job, holds for longer with rain ect.

[EvilOzzie]

I "glued" My old badged back on with some water resistant silicon sealer. Worked a treat for me.