Hail HYDRA... Jeep Badge

Hi everyone,

Here's a little something I was commissioned to make; a HYDRA emblem for a Jeep with an aftermarket grill.
Customer's Jeep:


After I was contacted, I sent the customer a PDF outline of the Aluminum HYDRA emblem I have and the size worked out great. Originally I was going to anodize it black, but the customer wants it painted flat black instead. From what he's told me, it's going to be an all black jeep.


From the water-jet cutting, the edges needed cleaning up. There's only so much I can do with a dremel before it's time for the needle files.





Parts are almost ready for the first couple of coats of etching primer/surfacer followed by wet sanding then paint.

There's also going to be an acrylic disc with the emblem engraved into it that will act as the mounting template so all pieces are mounted accurately and at the same time.

Can't wait to see the finished jeep!

I completely forgot that I had made this thread... I think the fumes are getting to me.

Anyway... the emblem was done about 2 1/2 weeks ago and I'm waiting on the customer to send me some pics after he puts it on.

Since this is aluminum, I used a PPG 2-part epoxy primer. Specifically PPG D8095 (primer), PPG D8295 (hardener) and PPG D807 Medium Thinner. Once this stuff is cured, it's really tough. I gave it a few coats, let it cure and wet sanded with 800 grit. The topcoat is a typical single stage Envirobase PPG satin finish paint.

I look at this picture and keep hearing in my head "Riddle me this..."


Close up of the skull.


Here's the emblem in all it's flat black glory.


And of course, a jig was made from some acrylic so it can all be placed correctly. I couldn't stop staring at the CNC cutting the acrylic, but I quickly discovered that the smell of the acrylic being cut triggered a migraine. Looks like I'll be donning my gas mask next time I cut acrylic.

Final update to this... customer finally sent over some pics of the emblem installed on his jeep. Gotta say, it looks freakin awesome!

Here's a bit of a close-up...


Wider shot... now with the headlights... looks angry.


Ok, this is just badass.