Finally got around to painting my front emblem...

I used Dupli-Color flat black, Dupli-Color metallic silver, an exacto knife, painter's masking tape, and 400 grit sandpaper:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/AvusBluR/5f55c710.jpg

So first I pulled the emblem off gently with a small screwdriver, and cleaned off all the gunk off the back...you can still see a bit of it in this pic:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/AvusBluR/787b2f62.jpg

Then I wet sanded with 400 grit sandpaper, and sprayed the first coat of flat black. After a few coats:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/AvusBluR/5e08a2f2.jpg

Then I taped over the whole emblem, and used the exacto knife to cut out the "Scion" letters:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/AvusBluR/d3cdb4b3.jpg

Sprayed with silver:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/AvusBluR/823026ef.jpg

Peeled the tape back:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/AvusBluR/DSC05096.jpg

Used 3M double stick tape to put it back on:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/AvusBluR/1db84550.jpg

And finally, the finished product :clap: :

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/AvusBluR/DSC05100.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/AvusBluR/DSC05102.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/AvusBluR/33e07cc2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/AvusBluR/DSC05115.jpg

As always, opinions, questions, comments, and constructive criticism are welcome :D

looks really, really nice...wanna do me one?

Nicely done...How long did it take...what suburb you in?

Looks good... but doesn't seem like too much effect for as much effort it looks like you put into it. I kinda like the emblem as it is though. If anything I'd have nothing at all (like grillcraft grilles :love: ).

Nicely done...How long did it take...what suburb you in?

Took about 2 days from start to finish, but that's only because I had class/work and I did it during my free time. All in all, probably about 3 hours, allowing for time between coats.

ack, I wanted the black emblem look, but when I painted it black, I though that there was a bit too much black for my taste...so I had a sudden epiphany, and the rest is history :D

I was thinking of doing the same thing, but I wanted to do it on the back emblem...does anyone know how to take the emblem off of the hatch?

Nice DIY. Great prep and execution. A little emblem sets you apart from many others. Great job.

thats pretty sweet man...something i want to do with the emblem

nicely done! It really cleans up the grille.

Looks good, actually reminds me to black out my rear emblem.

-Dan

I was thinking of doing the same thing, but I wanted to do it on the back emblem...does anyone know how to take the emblem off of the hatch?

its easy... i just took a flat head screw driver and stuck it behind the emblem and sort of pried it...then i slipped some floss in there and weaved the emblem out(or you can use floss from the beginning)

no clear coat?

no clear coat?

No, the grille is more flat black than gloss black and the emblem matches pretty well. I was thinking about it for a while though...

looks nice

I did the exact same thing with mine a while back, and I clear coated them too. Here's the pics:
http://www.saeguns.com/images/tc/em4.jpg
http://www.saeguns.com/images/tc/em1.jpg
I guess I didn't put enough clear coat on it, so the paint started to chip off. They went through winter, and now they're back to what they were before they were painted.. I'll have to redo them when spring comes back around!

Think it's best to take a hairdryer to the emblem to soften up the glue before you remove it from the grill? Very nice job, btw. I'm sure you wi'll hear enough of that, though. I wonder if there is a good matte finish that we could use. I don't like too much gloss.

thats pretty nifty of you, looks good too :)

I did the exact same thing with mine a while back, and I clear coated them too. Here's the pics:
http://www.saeguns.com/images/tc/em4.jpg
http://www.saeguns.com/images/tc/em1.jpg
I guess I didn't put enough clear coat on it, so the paint started to chip off. They went through winter, and now they're back to what they were before they were painted.. I'll have to redo them when spring comes back around!

Actually, your picture was what inspired me to do the silver in the middle...I painted it all black, then decided it was a bit too much black. I was on the forums and I saw your pic, and decided to run with it. Thanks! :clap:

Think it's best to take a hairdryer to the emblem to soften up the glue before you remove it from the grill? Very nice job, btw. I'm sure you wi'll hear enough of that, though. I wonder if there is a good matte finish that we could use. I don't like too much gloss.

It would help, but I didn't really need to. Just started it off with a small screwdriver, then used some fishing line to finish it off. Once you get one edge of it going, it goes pretty fast.

I actually used flat black paint; it's not gloss at all. I'll try to get some more pics up of just the black soon...

Looks good, maan. :clap: :clap: Did you do the rear emblems yet? When I did my emblems, I wanted a little shine. So I used Dupli-Color Semi Gloss Blk. Now you can start savin' $$$ for the Springs! :P

Finally got around to painting my front emblem...

Thanks much for the DIY, most appreciated! :D

I didn't even know the front emblem was removable, thought I'd have to remove the entire grille. Intend to flat black both front & rear Scion emblems, same for the chrome grill trim, and I'm going to leave the tC badge off.

Looks good, maan. :clap: :clap: Did you do the rear emblems yet? When I did my emblems, I wanted a little shine. So I used Dupli-Color Semi Gloss Blk. Now you can start savin' $$$ for the Springs! :P

Thanks!! TRD spring shipped out yesterday from TRD Sparks :D

Finally got around to painting my front emblem...

Thanks much for the DIY, most appreciated! :D

I didn't even know the front emblem was removable, thought I'd have to remove the entire grille. Intend to flat black both front & rear Scion emblems, same for the chrome grill trim, and I'm going to leave the tC badge off.

No Problem, glad I could help. I'm going to be doing the rear badge soon, and removing the tC as well. As for the front grille, it's something that I've been contemplating...post up some pics when you get it done, I'd appreciate it! :clap:

Looks good, maan. :clap: :clap: Did you do the rear emblems yet? When I did my emblems, I wanted a little shine. So I used Dupli-Color Semi Gloss Blk. Now you can start savin' $$$ for the Springs! :P

Thanks!! TRD springs actually shipped out yesterday from TRD Sparks :D

Looks good, maan. :clap: :clap: Did you do the rear emblems yet? When I did my emblems, I wanted a little shine. So I used Dupli-Color Semi Gloss Blk. Now you can start savin' $$$ for the Springs! :P

Thanks!! TRD spring shipped out yesterday from TRD Sparks :D
You're gonna :love: the Springs! Gives the tC a more aggressive stance. I've had mine for almost a month and still can't believe I waited almost 6 months to have them installed. Definitely post pix after install and don't forget about the SSM Cult! :P

nice and clean

...post up some pics when you get it done, I'd appreciate it! :clap:
Will do, but likely a few weeks before I get to it...also gotta buy a digicam, but that's been on my list for a while.

Looks clean. If I were to change up the emblems, I'd just keep it flat black..looks real clean.

Thanks guys!

looks good

That looks awesome... anyone have any experience with white paint? Will it just get all hosed up? got my SW tC- thinking to paint it either white with black scion letters or the opposite..

That looks awesome... anyone have any experience with white paint? Will it just get all hosed up? got my SW tC- thinking to paint it either white with black scion letters or the opposite..
Since everyone seems to go with black & white (which does look very nice), I'd really like to see someone go all white (a total "white-out", lol), and I think you'd have the only one modded that way.

Since i have a SW i would go with the whole emblem white and leaving scion in black. hmmmmmm ill have to think about that one but anyways good job looks awesome!

Since i have a SW i would go with the whole emblem white and leaving scion in black. hmmmmmm ill have to think about that one but anyways good job looks awesome!

That's what I was thinking of doing (I had originally wanted a SW tC) and I think that it would look hot!! BTW guys I painted the chrome grille surround black as well...I'll get some pics up soon.

...I painted the chrome grille surround black as well...I'll get some pics up soon.
Even w/o the pics I know it looks better than those that leave it chrome, so that was a good decision on your part, imo.

I did the exact same thing with mine a while back, and I clear coated them too. Here's the pics:
http://www.saeguns.com/images/tc/em4.jpg
http://www.saeguns.com/images/tc/em1.jpg
I guess I didn't put enough clear coat on it, so the paint started to chip off. They went through winter, and now they're back to what they were before they were painted.. I'll have to redo them when spring comes back around!

Actually, your picture was what inspired me to do the silver in the middle...I painted it all black, then decided it was a bit too much black. I was on the forums and I saw your pic, and decided to run with it. Thanks! :clap:

I would like to see that inversed ;)

Had one quick question, are those overlays on ur headlights or an actual eyelid that u bought from somewhere, if so can u give me the website name

rear tc badge has no holes right? just all glued on?

I think the rear tc badge has holes, as does the front one... correct me if i'm wrong. The front i think is less noticable because it's in the grill, but on the back you not only have the indentation but also a hole where it fits in. You need epoxy to fill it.. can be an expensive job at a shop, or cheap if u know a body work guy (or girl)

the front emblem as two allighment pins, as does the rear emblem

the tC logo however is just glued on and can be taken off very easy

on a side note, i just had these done: however mine are airbrushed. the emblem itself is painted a gloss black, and the scion lettering candy red. THEY LOOK AWESOME, i will post pics tomorrow or this weekend, i think they are like 10x better than these, prolly cuz i like black alot. haha

but he did a good job

^^^ so your not trading in ur car BOBtc?

nope... things worked out for the better

sweet not really feeling the silver though. chitown represent!!
elgin baby...where the crab legs be,,,,

Hey awesome idea man. Im gonna have to do this. Does anyone know how easy it is to take off the back emblem?

just peel it off, im not talking about the tC logo either, the SCION LOGO, you just stick something behind it, say a flat head screwdriver and kinda pull it out, then do the rest with some floss, or your hands.

i just used the screwdriver the whole way through, i didnt really car about scratches seein as how i put a vinyl over it anyways

waiting on pics. :-)

Had one quick question, are those overlays on ur headlights or an actual eyelid that u bought from somewhere, if so can u give me the website name

Mine are vinyl overlays from BlueBatmobile, SSM eyebrows and smoke corner lights. He's a member here, search his username.

n a side note, i just had these done: however mine are airbrushed. the emblem itself is painted a gloss black, and the scion lettering candy red. THEY LOOK AWESOME, i will post pics tomorrow or this weekend, i think they are like 10x better than these, prolly cuz i like black alot. haha

Post pics!! I was thinkking about airbrushing mine but doubted my abilities :silly:

GOT THEM IN TODAY, ILL DEFINATELY POST PICS LATER ON... cars a little dirty, so do you all want me to wash my car then post pics, that wont be till sunday though

JK imma post them up by like 5.. in the aero and exterior forum

I am getting a white tC also, and I would do it white with black lettering. Beet, would you be willing to do this for me? I'll compensate you for them. :lalala:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/BBalldude51298/da600623.jpg

All the emblems in this thread look great.
Good job guys!

you guys arent the only ones...i did this a while back but with SuperWhite and black letters... turns out the white gets WAY too dirty with bug guts and crap. so i now have it ALL black.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/LucidBD/DSC01233.jpg

the flash on the camera makes the white on the emblem look almost toooo white.. but in person it was perfect.

Now it looks like this....
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/LucidBD/DSC01421.jpg

also just a little option you can do to really give your car a color theme like i did. all black and white. 2-tone your calipers with those same 2 colors. turns out good and get good compliments
NOTE: i dont have stock wheels any more, 19" Axis 7 Mods black w/chrome lip.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/LucidBD/DSC01418.jpg

I am getting a white tC also, and I would do it white with black lettering. Beet, would you be willing to do this for me? I'll compensate you for them. :lalala:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h236/BBalldude51298/da600623.jpg

Send me the emblems and cashflow for the paint, and I'll do it. Still though, it's not all that hard, and you'll havethe satisfaction of knowing that it's all you. That, and you won't have to run without a front emblem for a few days :rofl:

you guys arent the only ones...i did this a while back but with SuperWhite and black letters... turns out the white gets WAY too dirty with bug guts and crap. so i now have it ALL black.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/LucidBD/DSC01233.jpg

the flash on the camera makes the white on the emblem look almost toooo white.. but in person it was perfect.

Now it looks like this....
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/LucidBD/DSC01421.jpg

also just a little option you can do to really give your car a color theme like i did. all black and white. 2-tone your calipers with those same 2 colors. turns out good and get good compliments
NOTE: i dont have stock wheels any more, 19" Axis 7 Mods black w/chrome lip.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/LucidBD/DSC01418.jpg

That's what I wanted to do if I got a white one...now it makes me rethink my silver :cry:

Looks great though, did you clearcoat it when you had it white?

yea 3 coats of clear.

really takes about 6 hours to finish off the emblem when doing the letter.

not hard at all.

you guys arent the only ones...i did this a while back but with SuperWhite and black letters... turns out the white gets WAY too dirty with bug guts and crap. so i now have it ALL black.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/LucidBD/DSC01233.jpg

the flash on the camera makes the white on the emblem look almost toooo white.. but in person it was perfect.

Now it looks like this....
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/LucidBD/DSC01421.jpg

also just a little option you can do to really give your car a color theme like i did. all black and white. 2-tone your calipers with those same 2 colors. turns out good and get good compliments
NOTE: i dont have stock wheels any more, 19" Axis 7 Mods black w/chrome lip.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/LucidBD/DSC01418.jpg

I notice that even after you changed the scion emblem to all black your "tC" emblem is all white- did that one not get as gunky, or you just haven't done yet..? I think it looks great.

Looks good, I like it.

check out mine in my profile. i dont remember how to post pics on this thing. i painted the chrome plated plastic too.

How strong is that 3M adhesive you used. Because ive got a 3k psi washer and yeah im pretty sure that ____ will blow off the logo.

na. it shouldn't. the emblem is held on with 3m originally so it shouldn't come off. maybe hit it with a blowdryer to melt it a little so it will stick better.

i'm doing my emblem tomm, but i dont know if i should do flat or clear coat on it...

i have a flint mica and i just think the clear coat will be too shiny and look awkward against the grille....the flat would blend withe the plastic honey comb of the grille.

any ideas?

yeah i was thinking that too. actually, the grille isn't even black. its like a charcoal grey metallic. i did mine with semi-gloss and then clear coat and it came out awesome. not too shiny at all.

Why do you sand it?

just to get all the shiny off so the paint will stick better. i dont sand the color off or anything, just used a scotch brite pad.

hey guys

so i painted the front emblem on my car and the back emblem. The back looks great. I used Dupicolor Adhesion Promoter and Universal Flat Black Paint. No Clear Coat.

I know I know I should use clear coat to protect the finish. I put about 15 coats of the flat black and let it dry thouroughly. No problems and the last coat (because I ran out of paint) I used aryclic enamel flat black which is pretty durable.

After I did the front emblem and put it back on, I got the crazy idea to paint the chrome piece around the front grille as well. So i took that apart and painted it with promoter and the flat black. It looks pretty good, but I still dont know if I should go with a layer of clear coat in the front because the flat is pretty flat. Or if i should just paint over the flat with semi gloss.

Im not gonna touch the back emblem because it looks great in just flat black.

I'll post pics later if anyone wants em.

Nice Job. I like the look of the stock emblem myself, but you did a nice job customizing it. Doesn't have much of a "I did this myself " look to it. Great Job.

dang 15 coats. haha. if i were you i'd spray the "crystal clear" clear coat on it but it will be fine without it, i just prefer the look of it better. i also did the plastic chrome piece but i sanded mine first. eventhough everything is perfect on mine, i'm going to take them all off and do a few additional coats to seal the deal and never worry about it again. its been a few months and no chips, cracks, wrinkles, nothing! i'm glad you like it man!

Nice!!!

LucidBD --- where did u get that other 'tC' emblem for your grill? It looks awesome!

Do we really need to sand it?? If yes did you sand it much ?

yes, just sand a bit of the top silver layer off. It helps the new paint stick.

Wetsand? Meeans that I dip the front emblem in water then all wet start scraching it with the sand paper just sand it a little right?? Ill pick up the stuff probably monday sorry im a noob when painting and sanding never done that :P

yes wetsanding is wiping down the emblem during the sanding...i just wiped the emblem off with a wet cloth every once in a while and it does the trick :D

I am getting the stuff today ill post again when I come back If I got some questions :D

Sweet, post 'em up!!

What color is the emblem underneath the paint? Would sanding all the color off be better long term solution, since there would be no paint for rocks to chip?

how would you keep the scion part black if you were repainting the silver parts

What color is the emblem underneath the paint? Would sanding all the color off be better long term solution, since there would be no paint for rocks to chip?

The emblem is molded from silver plastic...the "paint" is a silver coating that makes it shine more....so unless you're looking for a flat silver emblem, it wouldn't really help...

how would you keep the scion part black if you were repainting the silver parts

Same process but reversed: Tape off the emblem, cut out the letters, and peel off the tape covering the rest of the emblem instead of the letters.

yea i tried that but the indention of the scion part really makes it hard. oh well guess thats the only way