my black pearl attempt w/ (pics)

[GottaBeTRD]

Hey guys im starting my own black pearl project. I need some advise from all you rattle can experts! So i did read up a ton on this and decided to try my own route. However i have some options i just need yalls opinion. Go easy on me, this is just what i have done in the first hour. i took that Toyota emblem off so i could practice and get it right.
for the black im using some Model Master Lacquer tint paint, so far i have done 2 coats, (i think thats all im going to do unless others would suggest otherwise) I also bought some pearlescent clear coat that im trying to figure out what to do with.
here are my options: sorry it may be confusing
-spray the clear pearl on the black then spray the duplicolor on top of all of it to protect it from the weather and all that?
-use the duplicolor clear on the black first then use the clear pearl on top of that clear coat?
-or should ii not even use the duplicolor and just rely on the clear pearl to protect it from the elements??

Anyway thanks in advance! im pretty excited bout this project!

the beginning

2 coats

the tools

 

[fightman80]

I would use the Duplicolor clear on-top after you've colored everything to your liking. Not sure how the pearl would react though.....might not be as pearly??? The duplicolor is made for automotive use, so should be more durable then the Model paint. I've used both types, both on models and my vehicles, but find automotive paint more durable.......

My 2 cents....

 

[GottaBeTRD]

thanks for that info i think thats what i may do, IMO it even looks good without the pearl clearcoat but i wanna see what it looks like, I fricken spent $5 for the stuff i gotta try it at least!! And i want it to last long too. How long would you suggest i wait in between coats?

 

[fightman80]

The labels on the cans should tell you how long to wait. I just keep checking to see if the paint is dry, and then re-apply. Just an FYI, when I originally looked at your thread, (it was late here in Ontario Canada), I hadn't really noticed that you had not sanded the chrome down on the emblem. I also, didn't really notice, that you were using the Black tint paint.

In my experience, when painting over chrome, the paint usually peels off over time. The surface is just too smooth, and the paint chips and peels.

My opinion:

1) Sand down the chrome

2) Paint the emblems with some black paint

3) Use your Pearl paint on top of that

4) Clear Coat


This should stick better. Also, do a couple of coats of the Pearl and Clear Coat.

 

[Koz]

You may want to consider this.

Club Lexus Forums - View Single Post - DIY - Matte Black Emblems - Plastidip, no emblem removal required!

Koz

 

[g8rdmd]

You may want to consider this.

Club Lexus Forums - View Single Post - DIY - Matte Black Emblems - Plastidip, no emblem removal required!

Koz

That is imp:

 

[GottaBeTRD]

hmmm now yall got me thinking. Thanks for the heads up on that I found this thread to where the guy didn't sand his down and just used a promoter as a base. here it is,
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/aut...2-tutorial-diy-black-pearl-style-emblems.html

They guy in there used a different kind of paint which you cant find at the model shops here. It's a polycarbonate paint. He also used an adhesion promoter to prime the chrome. Im thinking on going this route instead of sanding it down. I saw that he said lacor wont work... but i dont know what he means by that do you guys?
So I just sparyed the clear pearl and it made it all sparkely and i don't know if i like it (im waiting for the sun to come out to get a good idea) but yeah if you guys have ever got a close loook at the black on the newer Toyotas it look exactly like that.

As for the PlastiDip i think it looks great on that white Lexus but i have a black 4runner so I dont think it wouldn't look as good bud dang that looks so easy!!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I think I migth just dry the Plasti-dip stuff sicne that looks so much easier and not having to worrry about reapplying the emblems is a big plus.

 

[Koz]

As for the PlastiDip i think it looks great on that white Lexus but i have a black 4runner so I dont think it wouldn't look as good bud dang that looks so easy!!

What I really like is (besides being easy to do) the fact that if it gets damaged or you want to return it back to sale, it can be easily removed.

Koz

 

[GottaBeTRD]

well that was fun!! I just got done flossin those emblems off... man that sucked! that plastidip stuff was lookin really good! haha but yeah my blow dryer died on the last logo too. :redbrick:l but i got it, were golden!

I got some adheasive promoter and im gonna paint tomorrow. Ill post the pics when its all done! hoepfully it el' last and hopefully im not mixing paints that aren't supposed to be mixed... lol On to tomorrow!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

Got them all painted, and with 2 coats of clear so far. Im gonna do one more coat then let them sit unitl tomorrow I think it looks fricken sweet! i cant wait to get them on!

before the clear coat, this is the adhesive promoter and the black tint. i decided to not use the clear pearl.

the front logo

with the clear coat. it kinda looks chrome from the pics but its not, its just shiney!

 

[fightman80]

Looks really good man! Can't wait to see them on the truck!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

got her done!! gosh the hardest part was trying to use 3M tape to get those things back on, luckly i left the old glue on and just re-heated it up and it worked wonderful! So yeah i like it, its pretty sweet! i think if the front logo doesn't hold up im gonna work that one a little differently. Ill probably try what one of yall said earlier with a gloss black and the pearl paint on top... maybe. and yes i know i gotta lose that brush guard, im waiting to lift it first then it will be history! I'll post some more pics after i get it cleaned up.

 

[twa318]

A+ thread, your truck looks great!


Much appreciated for all the links, the LED and especially the plastidip link

That looks like a brilliant solution for blacking out my emblems.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

thanks man! The badges still look as if i painted them yesterday, and ive been throgh all kinds of weather and junk. Im hoping they last a while

My only thing id probably change in doing this is the paint. i think Tamyia makes a smoke translusent paint that looks a little closer to the OEM black pearl, but this was good enough for me.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

i thought i'd post an update, We've been getting some pretty nasty wind and dust storms over here, on top of that there is a lot of salt on the roads from the storms before. The front emblem has sadly taken a beating. It still looks good, but up close its got a couple really really small chips in the paint. There's actually grooves all the way into the chrome haha. I dont think there is any way to protect the front end fully if you paint it. Maybe if someone figured a way to lamen-x the emblem but sound like too much work for me??

 

[SQ.MD]

i'm thinking about doing this but I shall have to wait 2 more weeks because since the paint on my car is still fresh (approx. 2 weeks), I want to wait before I use adhesive remover for the emblems. I don't want any chemicals reacting with the paint.

I have read camry forums where people use krylon fusion for emblems so I might go that route. Do you mind posting a picture of how your emblems look now? Since it's been about a year I think.

Thanks!!!