[1973Formula]

I am trying to restore the fender bird emblems for my 72 Formula. I got the old paint removed and am back to clean chrome. I have tried painting the red/black areas a couple of times, but I am unable to keep from getting paint on the edges/flats. Any suggestions for cleaning the paint from the flat chrome areas between the painted areas? Should I be painting these a different way? I am using micro brushes and toothpicks. Paint is Testor's model paint. I am open to suggestions for different paint and application techniques. Please fire away..... I really don't want to buy repops.

Thanks,
Tom

Here's a couple of pics:

[Formulabruce]

I have done a few of these, and here is what I do.
clean Bird with alcohol or wax and grease remover ( DX330)
get a Q tip and some vaseline , or even bacitracin ointment and get some on the q tip, and then twist it so the cotton is wet and tight
Now carefully do the edges you want to stay in Chrome with the vaseline. you may need a tiny bit more on the tip
Then paint
Then, once dry, clean off the vaseline
I then use 2 part "Envirotex" to fill up and protect the work, its clear and thick.
a hair dryer after the envirotex will clear up any bubbles while its wet
Good luck

[1973Formula]

Thanks Bruce. I will give that a try. What paint/paint colors do you use?

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by 1973Formula

Thanks Bruce. I will give that a try. What paint/paint colors do you use?

I use spray cans on a piece of cardboard, then a tiny brush, or even a pin if needed. The envirotex you'll pour on carefully, so you dont get run over edge and then gentle hair dryer if it has bubbles. Good luck!

[bird72]

the original emblems on my 72 are smooth & clear across surface as an fyi

[71GP76TA]

Originally Posted by bird72

the original emblems on my 72 are smooth & clear across surface as an fyi

X-2.. The R/F fender emblem on my '73 is missing the plastic overlay....so it doesn't have any color to it. I think the factory put the color in the plastic and didn't paint the chrome emblem.

[78w72]

best of luck repainting them. seems like an awfully lot of tedious work for a less than factory appearance. arent these still available GM NOS? if not from GM, from many of the aftermarket cataloyges or ebay?

[Formulabruce]

The envirotex will work on the clear, and it is tedious work
The repops are 3m stick on

[78w72]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

The envirotex will work on the clear, and it is tedious work
The repops are 3m stick on

GM's are still plentifull, yes they are stick on, but they are cosmetically identical to the sail panel bird emblems. they are GM, not repops.

[1973Formula]

I think I will get a set of the ones from GM Restoration Parts. Same part number. I don't know if they are NOS or not. They are available as stick-on and with the two studs. Thanks for your suggestions.

[78w72]

not sure on the nos part, there are different opinions on what is true nos. some say has to be the original correct gm part that you could have bought from gm within a few years of your cars date. but then there are the parts that were available 10-15+ years later that were still genuine GM parts but not the same part or box that would have been truely "original" to the parts that came off the assembly line. for these bird emblems if it says GM its a real GM part & nos to some degree, as opposed to a repro part from say OER etc.

but for these emblems i think true nos would be the style shown above with raised ridges inside & thick layer of clear. the gm replacement ones i've seen are smooth inside & the red & black bird is more of a flat piece of stamped plastic. they are quality parts & look very nice but are not like the real original emblem you are trying to repaint.

[Mezzo]

Here is a thought. It will be a two step process based on the two colors. Paint the black area first and wait until it is close to dry and ten wipe the high edges clean with Q-tip and light solvent. Let sit over night or until black is cured. Then apply red and do the same thing. I did see this once on Overhaulin.