Tutorial: DIY "Black Pearl" style Emblems
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: LA
I guess the emblems were new?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,392
Likes: 2
From: Florida
very nice write-up. I actually painted a set of emblems a gunmetal color, and used an adhesion promoter and they lasted for quite a long time. Then I just paid the $ and got the black pearl emblems because I couldnt find a paint that matched. Wish I would have looked at a hobby store, that match is perfect
thats with a couple ver very light coats (if im honest, i ran out of paint since i used the same can to do my amber bumper lights but i was gunna stop anyways 
)
if u have dulled out emblems i suggest using some plastic polish to put a bit of a shine on them before washing+painting.
il get some comparo shots tomorrow when it isnt raining with REAL OE-black pearl
and no, i didnt clear coat, this paint is MADE to stick to plastic
that, and its stuck to my bumper lights for the last month or so
)if u have dulled out emblems i suggest using some plastic polish to put a bit of a shine on them before washing+painting.
il get some comparo shots tomorrow when it isnt raining with REAL OE-black pearl
and no, i didnt clear coat, this paint is MADE to stick to plastic
that, and its stuck to my bumper lights for the last month or so
idk if i would use an adhesion promoter with this method since i doubt it would be perfectly clear when dry and u want the chrome to be the only base for the smoke.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,392
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Not sure it will work with this particular paint, but when I used it with the gunmetal I had no problems. I painted the emblems before without using an adhesion promoter, only scuffed up the surface a bit, and the paint just flaked right off.
and htis paint is MADE to bond with plastics
Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Texas
aren't several models fitted with emblems that are inserted into the car somehow? I was under the impression that my IS, for example, was one of those. How do those come out? I've taken the trunk apart for the XM install & didn't immediately notice any place for the other side of the trunk to have a clip or anything.
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: California
Another option for paint?
I've tried locating this specific paint but the only one I've found is the Tamiya Spray Lacquer TS-71 Smoke. Would that do the job?