I read a thread that had a lot of you guys painting your emblems with Testors Black Pearl enamel and clear coat enamel paint.

What I want to know is how well is this holding up? I have gold emblems on my Avalon and want to change them to Black Pearl. I thought that the Toyota emblems are done electrolytically? I think I would also have to get new chrome emblems in order to have that translucent black CHROME look. If the paint is really opaque, then I would first spray the chrome with Eastwood's Self-Etching Primer.

So, what's the verdict after a few months of wear?

 

I am starting to research this and am waiting for a call from this company.

http://www.americangoldplating.com/b...lack_pearl.htm

Read about BLACK PEARL / CHROME if you are interested.

 

Looks like this has become a running monologue ... from me.

I got a real ear full from a representative from American Gold Plating. Although they did get into Black Pearl / Black Chrome plating, in so many words, they think it is crap. They can't make it work and have had a lot of complaints. I know that on my son's 4R the front grille emblem is peeling, or at least the clear coat is coming off. The guy even told me that he has not a clue where I can go to get emblems plated. He said that not even a self-etching primer will do a really good job on chrome, because chrome is so hard. He also said that the right way to do it is to start with a nickel plate finish and then do the plating. I still have a couple more inquiries out there but it isn't looking good.

 

Interesting, sounds like Bob's cheap/easy mod is the way to go..

 

Mine are still looking good. I have one little chip from being stuck behind a gravel truck with nowhere to go, but they still look good. I have only done the front emblems thus far. Gotta love the price of this mod...

 

I read the thread and looked at the pictures. I think that Beowulf's (Bob) method of 2-plus-2 coats of paint is the way to go, but I am now wondering what is the best way to really get the paint to adhere long term. One of the websites I found in my search said that they baked parts that were painted in enamel for 20 minutes at 350*. So-o-o, I am wondering, are the emblems made of pot metal or plastic? If they are plastic I might still bake them but just not at 350*. Also, is it necessary to have the chrome as the base for a translucent coating or could one use self-etching primer because the Black Pearl Metallic paint is opaque? I am assuming, given the fact that someone was told to go ahead and paint gold plated emblems that the BPM paint coating is opaque? I still have a couple of inquiries out there with Mfg's so I'll see what they say. I cannot believe it is so hard to find someone to do the plating. :alien:

 

I did 3 coats. With that coverage, it was opaque. The black pearl comes from the paint, not the substrate...

 

Guys,

Mine still looks fine. The problems I encountered were mainly due to dust or other particles settling on the paint during the spraying and drying process. I neglected to finish the "4Runner" and "SR5" emblems. I actually have gotten used to only having the Toyota "oval T" emblems. Looks much cleaner.

For $10, its definitely worth it.

Bob