Hi guys, I love using the cars original parts so asking if anyone has had success or tips restoring there original GT350 tail light panel emblem?
Or just use it as is with all its Patina?
Here are some pics of 6S1276 original emblem
Cheers
Pic of back for interest
Looks original but heavy patina
I'd keep the patina.
I restored mine many years ago - used a sanding block with very fine sandpaper to restore the finish and then used a small artist brush with flat black model paint to paint the inside of the letters / numbers. Looked like new again.
Quote from: jk66gt350 on April 11, 2022, 04:35:59 PM
I restored mine many years ago - used a sanding block with very fine sandpaper to restore the finish and then used a small artist brush with flat black model paint to paint the inside of the letters / numbers. Looked like new again.
That is what I did as well. Very easy and well worth the effort.
Thanks guys, both good ways. I am honestly liking the patina but Curious as to how well the fine grit sandpaper worked? Any pics before and after? I am keen to try
I think it touch up the black for sure. Just a standard flat black?
Cheers
Standard flat black. I think I used 220 grit, but not sure. No pictures of the before and after but it does come up like new. Just use fine grit, take your time and only sand back and forth lengthwise.
Instead of sandpaper, perhaps 000 or 0000 steel wool?
Steel wool gets stuck in the letters / numbers, cannot be used so you get consistent pressure on the full surface and is not aggressive enough to clean up the years of grime etc. Its aluminum. You can't hurt it if you use fine sandpaper, a sanding block and go easy.
Before and after
I suppose it also depends on your expectations. Some emblems are too far gone to bring back to show quality but may be good enough for a fun driver .
Thanks Guy for all the replies. Much appreciated
Cheers
I would use a flat 'honing' or 'sharpening stone' for at least the initial surface reduction, stepping to finer grits, utilizing sandpaper, on a hard backing, only as the final process, if required, to acquire the finish desired. The reasoning for this is that the stone will permit a faster and more even sum of stock removal this resulting in a more level surface and sharper, squarer edge definitions. :)
As this generally presenting more like a machine manufacturing execution rather than a hand one. :o
Scott.
Ok great tips thanks Scott
Put a sheet of wet/dry sandpaper on flat surface and sand straight in one direction. Keep flushed with clean water. If the pits are deep you can start with a coarse paper and work up to finer to get the original finish.
You can use a sanding block but it's easier to move the emblem on the sand paper. If you use steel wool or sandpaper without a block you risk rounding off the edges of the emblem/lettering and ending up with a wavy surface. Also the steel wool will leave little specks of steel embedded in the surface and they will rust. Sharpening stones are much finer than sandpaper and will not remove much material. They will need to have an ample amount of oil used to keep the soft material from clogging them and causing gouges in your surface.
FYI some of the later emblems were made of a pewter like material that oxidized easily .They oxidized so much so that some were painted a silver finish over the metal surface to eliminate the oxidation problem.
Thanks Bob
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on April 12, 2022, 04:52:50 PM
Sharpening stones are much finer than sandpaper and will not remove much material.
Yes some are, but they are also available (and I frequently use 8) ) in many different grit sizes and materials to adjust cutting rates and effectiveness on different materials to be dressed. ;)
Scott.
GT350Lad,
Thank you, for posting the pictures, front & rear, of your original GT350 emblem
Steve McDonald,
Thank you, for posting the picture of the measurement, of your original GT350 emblem.
Those pictures match perfectly, a GT350 emblem, I was given many years ago. A friend, noticed, that my Shelby,
did not have the rear emblem and gave me one, for Christmas. He did not know; my Shelby was a "Carryover" and
like many of them, did not receive one. Never had the heart, to tell him, I wasn't going to put it on the Shelby.
Doug Cresanta & 6S188
No worries Doug. Always happy to share.
Ah the carryovers... gotta love them.
Cheers
The emblem that Steve shows is 4.50" wide while the one on my 65 (#275) is 4.25".
Texas Swede
I ran the tape over the emblem from #1276,it is 4.50
Cheers
Maybe there was a difference between 65 and 66. The original on my car was 4.25 and a NOS I bought at a hotel in Columbus
many years ago, is also 4.25"
Texas Swede
After some investigation, I found out there were at least two different GT350 emblems.
Early, S1MS-16229-A which is on the box I have, 4.25" wide
Later, S1MS-16098-A, 4.50" wide
As Bob said above these two are made with different materials.
Texas Swede
Yes agree. I think we had some good chats about emblems last year. Definitely 2 types of emblems
Cheers