IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models
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DIY - Matte Black Emblems - Plastidip, no emblem removal required!

Old 09-25-10, 04:57 PM
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wearegiant
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Default DIY - Matte Black Emblems - Plastidip, no emblem removal required!

Hi everyone. This is my first post here. I'm not sure if this was covered here. I searched but didn't find it. If it was im sorry for the double post.

This is my first lexus and I'm digging it. I'm a member over on these boards and here are the other whips:
e60 m5
e92 335i (sold)

Problem: After searching long and hard, couldn't find any matte blackemblems to purchase for the IS350... The black pearl emblems are out of the budget so I decided to just do it myself. Like most folks I hate the idea of having to use fishing line or something else to uninstall emblems then reinstall with new 3M tape.

Credit here.

SO here goes.. shooting black emblems with PlastiDip!

Materials
1. Can of PlastiDip purchased from Home Depot
2. Small plastic pick/spackle thing.
3. Masking Tape
4. Newspaper
5. Patience
6. Rubbing Alcohol, Soap, water
7. Cotton Swabs
8. Clean Towels



Steps

1. Clean around your emblems. Use soap and water if your car's real dirty. Then make sure you get down into the cracks. Dry it off and get back in there with some cotton swabs & alcohol. Again make sure the surface is dry before you even think about painting.

2. Mask off the area with some masking tape and newspaper in case of overspray.

3. Now you're ready to spray.. WHAT? NO SANDING? Right.. no sanding. Plasti Dip is a multi-purpose air dry, synthetic rubber coating that can be easily applied by spraying. Its been used on grills by BMW, Audi and many lexus owners too. Do a search and you'll see.


4. Make sure you shake that can up and do a test pass on some newspaper so you see how much comes out of the nozzle. From there shoot a thin coat on your emblems.


5. Wait a few minutes and make a darker pass.


6. Then give it 15 minutes or so then apply a second coat. I went and did a 3rd coat. I didn't want it to appear too thick.


7. I let it dry for about an hour before i decided to pull off my masking tape. Some folks say 30 minutes. The can said an hour.


8. Now peel off the masking tape.. You'll notice the rubber want to pull off with the tape, thats no problem, just don't go rubbing it too fast. Thats no fun. when the rubber breaks and u have to get into the little cracks of the emblems to pull it off.



9. Now with your fingers, just begin peeling it back. The PlastiDip will peel off your paint no problem and it begins breaking around where the emblem adhere to the car.





10. To get into the middle areas, just use a plastic pick or your finger nail (if you have access to small fingers?) and pick at it.. It'll just peel off like dry elmer's glue again.


11. Enjoy your new emblems.




FAQ
How long does it last especially without any prep work like normal paint?
Again, its a synthetic rubber spray.. It requires no prep besides a clean surface to adhere to. The plastidip does last long, and if there is a blemish, peel that stuff off your emblems, mask and repeat.

Have you used it before? How do you know?
I've sprayed my BMW front grills and emblems and they've held up for a couple years without any chips. Car washes are fine too Also do a search, you'll find a lot of people using plastidip.

Remember, to each their own. This look isn't for everyone. I have matte black wheels so I decided to go this route on the car. Enjoy!



Enjoy!

Last edited by wearegiant; 09-25-10 at 05:04 PM.
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Old 09-25-10, 05:00 PM
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benzo555
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It actually looks great!
Old 09-25-10, 05:04 PM
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Nice job
any mods you plan to do next.....
Old 09-25-10, 05:08 PM
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Wow ! this is really nice ! i was going to buy the black emblems.. but this looks way more $$ friendly ! great DIY !
Old 09-25-10, 05:08 PM
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WOW!!!!!!

dude im totally gona do this like tomorrow! way easier then doing all that other stuff.

Props on doing a DIY on this
Old 09-25-10, 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by TommyT
Nice job
any mods you plan to do next.....
I'm not sure yet! But I installed BC Racing Coilovers and some 19" TE-37s on it.

I have a full set of F-Sport Springs & Struts/Shocks that i'd like to get rid of before i can justify spending more money on her!

Originally Posted by KWang
Wow ! this is really nice ! i was going to buy the black emblems.. but this looks way more $$ friendly ! great DIY !
$9 bucks and some time!
Old 09-25-10, 05:13 PM
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That's awesome. Looks great, looking at the instructions you just masked around the emblems, so the car's paint was exposed to the spray. Did any of the black stick to the car paint?
Old 09-25-10, 05:14 PM
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Looks good.

I would make sure my car has a nice thick coat of wax before doing this DIY though haha.
Old 09-25-10, 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by JDKane527
That's awesome. Looks great, looking at the instructions you just masked around the emblems, so the car's paint was exposed to the spray. Did any of the black stick to the car paint?
Correct.. And spraying right onto the car's paint is intentional. It did stick, but it peeled right off.

Old 09-25-10, 05:18 PM
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So is this mod reversible if you decide to go back to chrome?
Old 09-25-10, 05:20 PM
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^^^ yea just peel it off
Old 09-25-10, 05:21 PM
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awesome job with good details and photos! going to buy a can right tonight!
Old 09-25-10, 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Bigrahizzl
^^^ yea just peel it off
Even after a year???
Old 09-25-10, 05:27 PM
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^^^ to my knowledge, yes
Old 09-25-10, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by relaxfoo
Even after a year???
Even after a year. Its just rubber. Nice way of protecting your emblems if you want to think of it that way.

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