Okay that looks amazing!!!!!!! I have to know, how did you do it?
I appreciate the compliment! I'm pretty pleased with the way they turned out! My rear LED taillights are black and chrome so I wanted a color scheme to compliment the taillights, hence the black/chrome (Duh!). I've seen some cool paint schemes like black/red:
Black/orange:
Or solid colors like blue:
Black:
or even Orange!
The how to...
"Batmantizing" the 'Flying M' is a popular mod. There are many variations out there. Just do a search and find one you like the looks of and print off a picture of it (I went with the orange one, above).
To duplicate it, use masking tape (as a straight-edge) to make a cutting line on each side on the bottom of the 'Flying M'. Make sure you get the angle you want and it's the exact same on both sides. Next, take a dremmel tool and cut the emblem along those tape lines.
Now that the bottom is finished, you'll notice a flat area just above where the "wings" meet the surrounding circle (see pic below).
Use tape as a straight edge and make a line from the bottom of the flat area in the inside of the circle to the top of the flat area on the outside of the circle. Do this for both sides of the emblem. Cut with the dremmel tool along these lines. This will produce the Batman-like "ears" on the emblem.
If you want a chrome emblem, then you are now done. If you want to paint it, you'll need to remove the chrome on the area you want to paint. Many choose to paint the entire emblem. In this case, soaking it in bleach for a period of days will do the trick.
I wanted to keep some of the chrome so I had to go the harder route of sanding off the surfaces I wanted to paint. I cannot tell you what a pain in the a$$ this is. Especially trying not to scrape the chrome I wanted to keep in the process. The chrome really does NOT want to come off! I used the dremmel a little to get in the corners but you have to be REALLY careful not to gouge the emblem.
Once the chrome is removed, mask off any areas of chrome you want to keep (this took SIX hours for the MAZDA and Axela badges!).
Then, just prime and paint it the color you want to paint it. I used Krylon Fusion paint for plastics. It is a paint and primer in one. I gave mine about four coats of paint. If you're painting one solid color (no chrome) then add a few coats of clearcoat when you're done. I'd like to add clearcoat to mine but am unsure of it's effects on the chrome. The Fusion paint says it's chip-proof after 7 days. I have my doubts...We'll see!
After the paint dries, remove the tape and wall-a! Hope this helps!
gave her a long wash to clean her up inside and out. She looks brand new now!
