Refinishing a metal insignia: advice?

[temponaut]

I have a metal insignia that is inscribed/engraved with a pattern I would like to change. (Don't worry. Nothing illegal! :angel )

I'm wondering whether anyone can advise me about the best way to go about this.

My first impulse is to fill the inscription with something that will cure hard and adhere to the metal, then sand/file it flush with the rest of the surface, making the pattern vanish. Color is not a factor, as the entire surface will be painted in the end.

Is this a sound approach? If so, what would make the best filler for vanishing the inscription?

Or is there a better way to tackle this?

Any advice gratefully received!

 

[androidandy]

Sounds like you just described Bondo. Works pretty well on metal since it is usually used in car restoration. I am not sure what they have in Japan for Car repair stuff, but I think a car part or customizing place could help you out.

 

[temponaut]

Thanks, Andy! I was hoping someone would be able to point me in the right direction. :thumbsup

Bondo, eh? I hear about it all the time, but have never used the stuff myself. Is it similar to JB Weld? (I recently happened to find JB Weld at a shop here in Tokyo.) I'm not sure about the availability of Bondo. But, as you wrote, a car shop might be able to help me. Thanks again for the tip.

Additional opinions more than welcome!

 

[Vaderman]

JB Weld may do what you need too.
Bondo is easier to work with and give you a lot of time to massage it into the shape you want.
However, if you are going to fill in detail on a metal insignia, then re-carve/engrave/cut a different logo/text/whatever, why not just start with a new piece of metal?
Perhaps it's a difficult shape or something? I can understand, it seems like in situations like this though, you end up with as much work as if you had simply made the piece from scratch.
In any case, if it is a small amount you are filling, JB weld may be perfect.
Good luck with it and post pics!

Thanks, Andy! I was hoping someone would be able to point me in the right direction. :thumbsup

Bondo, eh? I hear about it all the time, but have never used the stuff myself. Is it similar to JB Weld? (I recently happened to find JB Weld at a shop here in Tokyo.) I'm not sure about the availability of Bondo. But, as you wrote, a car shop might be able to help me. Thanks again for the tip.

Additional opinions more than welcome!

 

[temponaut]

Thanks, Vaderman! Your information and advice are very helpful. :thumbsup

why not just start with a new piece of metal?
Perhaps it's a difficult shape or something?

Yes, that's it exactly. There are some small, important features that I want to refinish, but I'd like to use most of the existing detail, which would be quite difficult for me to reproduce. So in this case, I think that starting from scratch would be more work than trying to re-do those few details I want to change. Your point is well taken, though.

In any case, if it is a small amount you are filling, JB weld may be perfect. Good luck with it and post pics!

Yes, the area to be filled is small and shallow. But I've never worked with JB Weld before and, after reading your post, it sounds to me as if Bondo may be more forgiving. I guess I need to experiment a little with the JB Weld on some scrap pieces to see how it handles before either going ahead or mounting a search for Bondo.

I'll be sure to post pics if and when I have something good to show!

Thank you very much again! :thumbsup



Additional comments and advice still more than welcome.

 

[temponaut]

A follow-up question about JB Weld and Bondo.

I've been studying the (Japanese) instructions on the back of the package of JB Weld.

I don't see anything on there about sanding, filing, or otherwise shaping JB Weld after it has hardened.

I want to fill in some engraved lines and create a surface that is flush with the rest of the insignia. Will it be possible to do touch-up sanding or filing of the JB Weld after it has cured? Or is it vital to get the surface flush in the first 15 minutes after application, while the JB Weld can still be molded?

What about Bondo?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

 

[hydin]

JB weld basically becomes a solid chunk of "Oh crap, that ain't changing" once its hardened. If it was easily modified (i.e. sanded or melted) it wouldn't do much good as a radiator/car fixer

Bondo has a "spot putty" that might work for you, its about the consistency of cake frosting, its in a little squeeze tube (imagine colgate on steroids), and it sands pretty easily. I used it when I was filling in pinholes in a few resin kits.

As far as molded goes... I guess as long as you seal it and don't try to rip the silicone off, you should be gold.