Re painting tank badges

I an going to attempt to restore some tank badges. I searched but found noothing here but the mention of model paint. Any tips out there? Thanks
Wayne

I did mine with the touch up paint from the auto parts store

crap tried to edit

martin_csr wrote: Here's a method I use for metal emblems & using spray paint. It may seem meticulous, but to me it was easy. I did an engine cover real quick this way. I prefer using spray paint.

(1) Remove the old paint. Clean w denatured alcohol & wipe w a tack cloth. Assuming the emblems have white lettering w a silver raised outline & a black background.

(2) Apply wheel bearing grease to the lettering by using your finger. Touch the grease w your fingertip, then very lightly pat the raised part of the lettering to apply a very light coating... it doesn't take much at all. Also apply grease to the interior part of the lettering. If you get any grease on the background, use a q-tip & denatured alcohol to clean it. Clean off any lint.
Spray the black paint. After it dries to the touch, wipe off the grease from the letters.
Let the black dry thoroughly.

(3) Clean the lettering w denatured alcohol & wipe w a tack cloth. Apply grease to the freshly painted background & to the raised areas of the lettering as before. Use a very small amount of grease, patting the raised lettering. If you get any grease on the area to be painted white, use a q-tip & denatured alcohol to clean it. Check for lint & remove any.
Spray the white paint. After it dries to the touch, wipe off the grease.
Let the white dry thoroughly.

(4) Depending upon the paint you use, the emblem can be baked in a low-temp oven to cure. Not sure if engine paint comes in white. After step (2) & if you used a black engine paint, you could bake the emblem in the oven, then do the white part.
Clean the raised lettering w denatured alcohol, especially before baking.

Here's an engine cover I did. I also did my wheels the same way. And side cover & tank emblems

Thats a great technique very simple, definitely will be using this when i redo my badges. Thanks Martin

Yes, it's very simple. It doesn't take much grease at all... just enough to keep the paint from sticking. I'm better w spray paint than a little brush. Some guys have done a good job w Testor's model kit paint.

I did the model paint thing with the tiny brush... let it cure, then cleared with duplicolor engine enamel... seems to be working good so far

I changed the color of mine. I used model paint and dabbed it in there until I got the look I was going for. After they were done I used clear on the entire badge. It previously mentioned method is great for painting mags while they are still mounted also.

You don't have to use grease either. Basically anything that you can wipe of after you paint.

Just use black and white model paint. When dry, buff the raised areas with 2000 grit paper. Original emblems are not plated, so you cant sand through anything.

Thanks for all the ideas. I think I will try the model paint.
Wayne

The touch up paint at the auto store has the little brush on one end and a ball point type pen on the other. Although the ballpoint end might not be of any use for badges it may work on other items. They sell touch up spray bombs also

you gave me an idea the decals I had made were scanned from an original emblem

the white area on them is the exact size of the original emblenm so I cut one out
and it fits perfect I think I will spray the black areas and use the vinyl in the
white area next time I have some cut I am gonna just have the whites cut for redoing
emblems thanks for the idea guys