Vauxhall Badge - Failed restoration attempt
Discussion
Trying to sort one or two minor cosmetic issues on the Ro. The grille badge has been bugging me as it is quite badly chipped. In fact, it looks like it has been hit by a couple of small boulders at 70mph. Either that or it has fallen off at some point and been recovered by the previous owner from the hard shoulder!

Anyway, I've had a go at trying to restore it but without much success. I removed it, gave it a rub down and tried spraying it with plastic primer and then some "chrome" paint. However, as I feared, the chrome paint just turned out silver and naff all like the chrome cap on the can, so I had to strip that off (lesson: test it on something else first next time).
Plan B was to spray it black and, while the paint was still wet, use some paint removal wipes to rub off the paint on the raised griffin and the rim. That worked reasonably well in filling in the chipped black areas but I can't really disguise the damaged rim, and even tho it looks a bit better I am a bit of a pefectionist and reluctant to refit the badge when it still looks less than perfect. See photos below.
Does anyone know where I might get a replacement Vauxhall badge? A search of ebay suggests that no other vauxhall badge appears to be the same diameter (ie its not a standard size so that you can use a corsa badge or whatever). Tried Monkfish but no joy. You can get Holden badges on Aussie ebay but I'm one of the few that doesn't mind the Vauxhall badge - I think Vauxhall did us a favour importing these cars and so would like it to wear that badge if possible (despite the base behind the badge being in the form of the Holden lion, LOL!)



Anyway, I've had a go at trying to restore it but without much success. I removed it, gave it a rub down and tried spraying it with plastic primer and then some "chrome" paint. However, as I feared, the chrome paint just turned out silver and naff all like the chrome cap on the can, so I had to strip that off (lesson: test it on something else first next time).
Plan B was to spray it black and, while the paint was still wet, use some paint removal wipes to rub off the paint on the raised griffin and the rim. That worked reasonably well in filling in the chipped black areas but I can't really disguise the damaged rim, and even tho it looks a bit better I am a bit of a pefectionist and reluctant to refit the badge when it still looks less than perfect. See photos below.
Does anyone know where I might get a replacement Vauxhall badge? A search of ebay suggests that no other vauxhall badge appears to be the same diameter (ie its not a standard size so that you can use a corsa badge or whatever). Tried Monkfish but no joy. You can get Holden badges on Aussie ebay but I'm one of the few that doesn't mind the Vauxhall badge - I think Vauxhall did us a favour importing these cars and so would like it to wear that badge if possible (despite the base behind the badge being in the form of the Holden lion, LOL!)
The problem is that I really need to fill and chrome the chipped parts, but I don't think any decent chrome paint exists - it's all just silver. There is no point filling the chipped rim if I can't then cover it with "chrome", as it will just look worse.
I have found a place online that does some sort of spray on chrome effect treatment that might work over filler. Am I allowed to give their web address here or is that against the rules?
Of course, Richie Slow (or anyone else), if you have a grille badge in decent nick that you don't want, I'll gladly take that off your hands (with suitable compensation of course), which would save all this bother.
I have found a place online that does some sort of spray on chrome effect treatment that might work over filler. Am I allowed to give their web address here or is that against the rules?
Of course, Richie Slow (or anyone else), if you have a grille badge in decent nick that you don't want, I'll gladly take that off your hands (with suitable compensation of course), which would save all this bother.
Lil'RedGTO said:
The problem is that I really need to fill and chrome the chipped parts, but I don't think any decent chrome paint exists - it's all just silver. There is no point filling the chipped rim if I can't then cover it with "chrome", as it will just look worse.
I have found a place online that does some sort of spray on chrome effect treatment that might work over filler. Am I allowed to give their web address here or is that against the rules?
Of course, Richie Slow (or anyone else), if you have a grille badge in decent nick that you don't want, I'll gladly take that off your hands (with suitable compensation of course), which would save all this bother.
I'll have a rummage in my garage tonight and see if I can find it. If it's in good nick I'll post it to you. Watch this space.I have found a place online that does some sort of spray on chrome effect treatment that might work over filler. Am I allowed to give their web address here or is that against the rules?
Of course, Richie Slow (or anyone else), if you have a grille badge in decent nick that you don't want, I'll gladly take that off your hands (with suitable compensation of course), which would save all this bother.
Lil'RedGTO said:
The problem is that I really need to fill and chrome the chipped parts, but I don't think any decent chrome paint exists - it's all just silver. There is no point filling the chipped rim if I can't then cover it with "chrome", as it will just look worse.
I have found a place online that does some sort of spray on chrome effect treatment that might work over filler. Am I allowed to give their web address here or is that against the rules?
Of course, Richie Slow (or anyone else), if you have a grille badge in decent nick that you don't want, I'll gladly take that off your hands (with suitable compensation of course), which would save all this bother.
I have found a place online that does some sort of spray on chrome effect treatment that might work over filler. Am I allowed to give their web address here or is that against the rules?
Of course, Richie Slow (or anyone else), if you have a grille badge in decent nick that you don't want, I'll gladly take that off your hands (with suitable compensation of course), which would save all this bother.
You can get proper chrome effect paint, but it certainly wouldn't be economic for a badge!!! It involves a black base, then the chrome and then laquer.
Ive bought some for my dodge though - but then i dont have a choice!
It's 93mm in diameter. It's also slightly convex, as you can maybe see from the shadow in the last pic. I could be wrong, but I think it's a Monaro-specific item as they will have had to make it to fit onto the existing Holden baseplate, which is convex. Interestingly, I see the boot badge is slightly s-shaped, as if it's been moulded to the boot lip, suggesting that was custom-made for the Ro too.
Lil'RedGTO said:
It's 93mm in diameter. It's also slightly convex, as you can maybe see from the shadow in the last pic. I could be wrong, but I think it's a Monaro-specific item as they will have had to make it to fit onto the existing Holden baseplate, which is convex. Interestingly, I see the boot badge is slightly s-shaped, as if it's been moulded to the boot lip, suggesting that was custom-made for the Ro too.
I am 100 % sure I have all the original badges I took off my Ro but will not be till weekend I can get my car out to check.richie slow said:
Found it 
It's got a tiny imperfection, but it still looks pretty good.
PM me your address and I'll put it in a Jiffy bag. Don't worry about money, we'll have a beer some time
Glad you sorted GTO out Richie I could only find the rear badge!!! I never chuck anything away, I know it must be somewhere
It's got a tiny imperfection, but it still looks pretty good.
PM me your address and I'll put it in a Jiffy bag. Don't worry about money, we'll have a beer some time

007 VXR said:
dreamtoy said:
richie slow said:
Found it 
It's got a tiny imperfection, but it still looks pretty good.
PM me your address and I'll put it in a Jiffy bag. Don't worry about money, we'll have a beer some time
That was fast for you Richie....
It's got a tiny imperfection, but it still looks pretty good.
PM me your address and I'll put it in a Jiffy bag. Don't worry about money, we'll have a beer some time




Hes Richie not so slow, now 

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