New rear badges - some advice please

[soapbox]

I want to change the 450 badge on the back of the car. A lot of the black enamel has come off and its looking a little tired. I have seen that I can get a new badge for £35 from TVR Gear.

I've had a look at the car and it looks like it is glued on. I couldn't see any fixings behind it.

Has anyone changed their rear badge? If so, how did you get the old one off, and what did you fix the new one with? I'd appreciate some advice.

Thanks as always
Matt

[Nuggs]

IIRC, the Leven ones have two thin screws in the back, as did the original factory items (AFAIK)...

[soapbox]

ok -I guess you have to pull the boot carpet away from the body to get at them?

[.Mark]

Yes, pull the carpet back and you'll see the bolts holding it on.
Why not do away with it altogether and put a different badge on.
Well if it's good enough for a Gallardo!......

[Podie]

soapbox said:

I want to change the 450 badge on the back of the car. A lot of the black enamel has come off and its looking a little tired. I have seen that I can get a new badge for £35 from TVR Gear. I've had a look at the car and it looks like it is glued on. I couldn't see any fixings behind it. Has anyone changed their rear badge? If so, how did you get the old one off, and what did you fix the new one with? I'd appreciate some advice. Thanks as always Matt

Soap - the badges (front and rear) are bolted on. Pull the carpet back (or heat shield stuff at the front) to find the nuts.

Leven will recondition your old badge and fill it in so it has a smooth top, not the ridges. I also had mine colour coded at the same time.

Work of warning.. when you refit them (standard or Leven'd) don't overtighten them... you can damage the paint and / or the badge.

[jonathant]

I took the el-cheapo route and got the three sticks of touch-up paint (grey primer, pearl black, clear laquer) from Halfords and painted in the primer and three coats of black over several days. I then used a silver ink pen for the "chrome" and finished with two coats of laquer.

Looks fine, hopefully it'll last a few years before it needs doing again.

Cost was about a tenner + time.

[soapbox]

jonathant said:

I took the el-cheapo route and got the three sticks of touch-up paint (grey primer, pearl black, clear laquer) from Halfords and painted in the primer and three coats of black over several days. I then used a silver ink pen for the "chrome" and finished with two coats of laquer. Looks fine, hopefully it'll last a few years before it needs doing again. Cost was about a tenner + time.

That might be worth a go, as £35, I thought, was a little steep for 1 new badge.

Did you just use standard black metal paint? Or hammerite?

[soapbox]

Soap - the badges (front and rear) are bolted on. Pull the carpet back (or heat shield stuff at the front) to find the nuts.

Leven will recondition your old badge and fill it in so it has a smooth top, not the ridges. I also had mine colour coded at the same time.

Work of warning.. when you refit them (standard or Leven'd) don't overtighten them... you can damage the paint and / or the badge.[/quote]

Thanks Podie - can you remember how much they charged for that? What was their turnaround time?

I like the idea of colour coding.

[Podie]

soapbox said:

Thanks Podie - can you remember how much they charged for that? What was their turnaround time? I like the idea of colour coding.

Best bet is to give them a call. Turnaround was quite good, but think it depends when the next batch are going...

Mine had gold badges on it initially... and then I chose to have them filled with red, to match the colout of the car.

The colour combo does depend on the colour of your car though.

I also bought an extra "TVR" badge for the rear - so I have "Chimaera 450" on one side and "TVR" on the other side of the number plate.

[jonathant]

soapbox said:

Did you just use standard black metal paint? Or hammerite?

I got something like this: www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=19759&type=0&cat=375 which comes with a glass-fibre cleaning thingy and buffing tool (?). I used an ordinary no.1 art brush for the colour. I've not got a completely smooth finish, but I quite like the effect!

[.Mark]

Podie said:

...and then I chose to have them filled with red, to match the colout of the car.

Classic, after the comments on the other thread

[rude girl]

.Mark said:

Podie said: ...and then I chose to have them filled with red, to match the colout of the car. Classic, after the comments on the other thread

A little cheap, and unlikely to gain support for your cause from anyone who's read both threads and can work out what you're on about.

My subs are due, and I must admit I'm sitting here wondering if I really want to belong, when this is the response given to people who have offered help.

[Podie]

rude girl said:

.Mark said: Podie said: ...and then I chose to have them filled with red, to match the colout of the car. Classic, after the comments on the other thread A little cheap, and unlikely to gain support for your cause from anyone who's read both threads and can work out what you're on about. My subs are due, and I must admit I'm sitting here wondering if I really want to belong, when this is the response given to people who have offered help.

Three things.

1) The magazine claims to be professional, and I PAY for the service.

2) Granted, I can see the irony.

3) Check your own profile

.mark profile said:

including crash helmet desgin etc.

[.Mark]

rude girl said:

A little cheap, and unlikely to gain support for your cause from anyone who's read both threads and can work out what you're on about.

I know, I'm sorry.

[.Mark]

Podie said:

3) Check your own profile .mark profile said: including crash helmet desgin etc.

Oh

[Podie]

[rude girl]