Refinishing the emblems...
 

I got a pair of side emblems from a fellow forum user, and the paint is pretty much worn off of them. what's the best way to restore them?

I used silver model paint. Brush it on over the raised "Mazda Rx-7"

just regular gloss enamel model paint?

Since it is raised, could you just put a little paint on some paper and dip the emblem face down into it like a stamp?

Black dragon or Mazdatrix has them new if you have the $$$

I used silver leaf, and a small brush, then followed up with a clear coating of model gloss

Could you post pictures of the refinished products please mate? I'd like to see what everyone has done to theirs..

My refinished emblems. Used my can of touch up paint, a sponge brush, a couple q tips and a paper towel. Ghetto style, but it looks good.
http://i20.tinypic.com/e9dgmt.jpg

Before:
http://i22.tinypic.com/2w65q4o.jpg

After:
http://i21.tinypic.com/2yjttec.jpg

Close up:
http://i23.tinypic.com/2czwo0g.jpg

Took me about 2 minutes (cant ya tell?) to do. I have a straight razor/exacto that I am going to go back over it with and scrape some of the "overspray" off haha.

Sorry. That looks like @$$.

^^ lol,
i redid mine stock black at the beggining of summer with some plastic adhesive spray paint. I'll post a pick once it gets light out.

not paying $25 per emblem, i'm a near broke college student :(

Yes, just regular Testors model paint. If you get a little paint on the black background just wait for the paint to dry and scrap it off with a knife.

i like this idea the best...any before and after pics? also where to get the silver leaf and how to apply it

I'm going out to walmart tonight to look at some sprays, see if anything is decent. this is my mini project for tomorrow, since i can't actually get to my car anytime soon.

pics will be plenty :)

Testors makes great paint, and if you look at smaller hobby shops they have a variety of different colors. One of the nicest things you can do is get their spray system. walmart carries them. Its like a mini air compressor and fits the testor bottles. Really neat :)

^^ The walmart spray system sucks (i like to do air brushing in my free time and my lil bro was trying to use their spray kit)

First stage is finished!

I've still gotta go back and scrape off the extra that got on the black, and repaint that with a flat black, but the silver is done!

Here's what i'm starting off with. The one in the front is the one I tried to paint by hand last night...looked like shit so i sanded most of it off.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b8...s/DSCF0727.jpg

My equipment: (NOTE: the metallic finish sprays didn't do much)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b8...s/DSCF0728.jpg

I started by just covering it with a piece of masking tape and making sure there weren't any bumps or anything:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b8...s/DSCF0729.jpg

I cut out the letters and painted in sections, just so i wouldn't have too much to do all at once and i could see progress being made (i'm pretty impatient)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b8...s/DSCF0730.jpg

After the first coat:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b8...s/DSCF0731.jpg

Three coats later:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b8...s/DSCF0732.jpg

And finally the unfinished product!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b8...s/DSCF0733.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b8...s/DSCF0734.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b8...s/DSCF0735.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b8...s/DSCF0736.jpg


Assuming i don't mess up on the black, i think these will turn out pretty decent.

just get some used ones on ebay, they look pretty darn good when they are on there sometimes.

haven't found any on ebay.

i was just thinking about doing this.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...t/PA010153.jpg
did mine with left over engine paint for housings, and black trim paint with a FINE paint brush to fiz the silver overpaints, sorry if pic is to fuzzy, new camera and i had not found the macro part yet, but im outta state and cant do it now

Best ones I've seen so far. I need to fix mine too...

I did mine like that only i used a paint marker to match the body color. Turned out just as good. Might take pics later

looks sweet!

hmmm giving me some ideas. Thanks!