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replating original emblems

8289ta

8289ta

Silver Member
I am starting this thread because I really think we can have our old original emblems replated, if the gold has tarnished a bit. I don't think it will work for pitted emblems, but if they have just lost their luster, and the nickel underneath is showing, I am sure they could be done. We probably need to find someone who plates jewelry, etc. to do it right. I have seen some places on the web that do this type of stuff, but if anybody has some place we can trust, that would be better. The benefit of this, is that you would have your original emblems. There is a definite difference in the repros. Some would say they look better, but it would be nice to keep the cars original. Either way, it would give us another option, as it seems due to lack of interest, and such a small market, the repros might disappear also. PWD has stopped making them, so the only ones left will be from Car Motorsports, once Dave sells out his supply. Any thoughts, and comments?
 
I remember back in the 80s-90s,
You would see ads everywhere, for people who would come out to your place, and do it.
I even remember seeing some of these people at car swap meets/shows.
Now, I do see a few high end cars having it done, but I don't know who does it.
Maybe just go into a Mercedes dealership, and ask.

George :beach:
 
Plating works but usually the emblem being plated is all GOLD or SILVER. The TTA emblems can be done but it's probably more work than it's worth. If you'd like to keep you NOS ones I'd say give it a shot but with the price of the complete emblem set (REPRO) it kinda doesn't make sense.
 
ttanotchback said:
Plating works but usually the emblem being plated is all GOLD or SILVER. The TTA emblems can be done but it's probably more work than it's worth. If you'd like to keep you NOS ones I'd say give it a shot but with the price of the complete emblem set (REPRO) it kinda doesn't make sense.
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x-2, and who knows the repo supply may meet the limited demand DontKnow:
 
is it true a small jewelry company in ny made all the emblems ? = why some indy wings an other badges had to be shiped after car was sold ?
 
I am pretty sure the who;e emblem was dipped in the plating solution, but it only adheres to the metal portion.
Plating works but usually the emblem being plated is all GOLD or SILVER. The TTA emblems can be done but it's probably more work than it's worth. If you'd like to keep you NOS ones I'd say give it a shot but with the price of the complete emblem set (REPRO) it kinda doesn't make sense.
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I think keeping the original makes sense to some people who want to keep their car all original. I bought a set of the repros, but I would rather keep my originals. If they ever lose the gold, I would like to try to re-plate them.
 
I was lucky enough to get a set of original emblems off a less than 10,000 mile car a while back. The emblems were taken off the car when it was almost new, they look really good, still the gold is not perfect. I also got the original plug wires, off the same car.
 
Mike - I don't think the gold plating was ever perfect. I bought a rear bird emblem a few months ago off of Ebay that was supposedly removed from a car when it was new. This emblem is perfect - but the gold is not even. Some parts around the middle of the emblem are not as bright. I matched it up to the one on my car that I thought was worn, and it looks the same. I don't think that they were ever consistent and perfect. The funny thing is, that is what gives away the repros- the plating is even, and the color of the white is brighter and more consistent.
 
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TTA984 said:
I was lucky enough to get a set of original emblems off a less than 10,000 mile car a while back. The emblems were taken off the car when it was almost new, they look really good, still the gold is not perfect. I also got the original plug wires, off the same car.
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what happened to that car ? was it wrecked ? :cool1:
 
8289ta said:
Mike - I don't think the gold plating was ever perfect. I bought a rear bird emblem a few months ago off of Ebay that was supposedly removed from a car when it was new. This emblem is perfect - but the gold is not even. Some parts around the middle of the emblem are not as bright. I matched it up to the one on my car that I thought was worn, and it looks the same. I don't think that they were ever consistent and perfect. The funny thing is, that is what gives away the repros- the plating is even, and the color of thew white is brighter and more consistent.
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Sad but true, the technology of the 80's is far behind what it is today.:thumbup:
 
8289ta said:
?..We probably need to find someone who plates jewelry, etc. to do it right. I have seen some places on the web that do this type of stuff, but if anybody has some place we can trust, that would be better. Any thoughts, and comments?
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There is Robert west, he is a vendor on turbobuick. I have met him and seen his work, seems good he makes gold turbos and carburators to wear as pendants on your necklace.

I'm sure he would be trustworthy as he is a fellow turbo Buick guy, he has a white t type, and he trod to sell me black Gita wheels one time. Seemed nice.

Robert West Goldsmiths
 
Wow, you all have been busy thinking about this. Glad I could start this huge discussion. I know dealers had guys come around from dealership to dealership and perform the gold plating while the emblems were still on the car and they put wax or some type of chemical over the parts they didn't want plated, so I am sure they can do it pretty easily. Not sure how to clean off the old gold before plating though. It will be interesting if someone can test it out though. I should have come up with it before the reunion, I could have made a fortune doing everyones TTA's and maybe did some limited edition Gold Plated GN's too. LOL
 
tta299 said:
is it true a small jewelry company in ny made all the emblems ? = why some indy wings an other badges had to be shiped after car was sold ?
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Some say small mom-pop shop etc but yes these are they guys Bastian Company, Inc. - Union Made in the USA Lapel pins, CRDL Magnetic Sculptures, Badges, Belt Buckles, Made in the USA, Union Made products, Coasters, Coins, Key Tags

They do car club emblems these days dont seem to do anything for GM anymore.

Some say they went bust but I can't find any records of that.

The TTA's had all emblems on them from PAS to start out with however Scott told us they got stolen on their way to the dealers so they only put the nose and rear bird emblem on them all other emblems were installed (or where supposed to at least) by the dealer. However only emblems I've seen beeing sent to the dealers with the instructions to install been the TURBO fender emblems so not sure if all where installed @ the dealer or not ... maybe ask Scott again in his thread.
 
Mike - I have seen the dealer plating on Youtube. They don't remove the emblem from the car. The solution the runs onto the paint is washed off when they are done. I don't think any of the chemicals will harm or adhere to the glass portions of the emblem. I don't put much faith in those kits however. My parents have a car that had this gold plating applied at the dealer, and a few years later the gold wore off.
 
Two OEM used rear bird emblems (pictures below) .... also got a set of repro emblems (very first ones even before carmotorsports.com got theirs out ...) that I took off mine and replaced a couple of years back due to the gold wearing off ...

Can do with new gold on all of them if cost efficient.
 

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And pictures of my NOS rear bird emblem just to compare
 

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For any of you who don't know, I asked a guy who does plating at dealers. One of the things that make them fade again is the type of car wash soap that you use and cleaning the emblems with glass cleaner is a big no no...
 
ttanotchback said:
For any of you who don't know, I asked a guy who does plating at dealers. One of the things that make them fade again is the type of car wash soap that you use and cleaning the emblems with glass cleaner is a big no no...
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Did you ask him if they can replate them again?
 
Jan - I haven't forgot about this - been a bit busy lately with the other car. I will definitely do some homework after the holidays and see what I come up with. I have a buddy who owns a custom stereo and tint shop. I want to see if he knows anyone who does the gold plating.
 
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