tank emblem paint

[Glenn]

what is the proper paint for 1950 tank emblems. I sent them out to rechrome and now have to paint them. black is black but what color is the red on them?

thanks

[Chris Haynes]

There is no black on originals. Everything is fire engine red.
Top is original. Other two are repops.

[bobdo]

I'm also interested in a red paint that the AMCA would approve for the '47 style Speedball emblems. Chris' description of "Fire Engine Red" is a great description, it does look like that color, but is that the actual name given to a paint suppliers color? Is there an enamel paint that is the accepted color? I'd even be willing to mix a few colors to get it right. Maybe even add a little fading to the look. Thanks, Bob

[flat-happy]

this guy can anser all your paint questions and sell you the correct product too


John Pierce Colorwrite - Paint for and how to paint antique and vintage motorcycle restorations. Original Factory colors, modern quality. DuPont single stage and base/clear paints. Every known Harley color before 1970. Questions, current pricing, Call days between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

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[Erdos]

I used testors model paint on my emblems about 8 years ago and never been questioned on the color. I have had the bike judged several times. The paint looks and holds up great. I will figure out the color I used if anyone is interested.

[Erdos]

photo of my emblems

[cdndewey]

They look great Erdos. I'm interested in the colour.

[tomclay]

"never been questioned on the color. I have had the bike judged several times"

But then again, this isn't saying much.
When you go in with 89 points, correct everything, and come out with an 83, and EVERYTHING
the second time marked wrong was 100% correct, it kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

[Sargehere]

Tomclay, Follow up with the Chief Judge. There's a formal appeals process. One badly-managed judging team shouldn't sour you on the whole club judging scheme.

[Robert Luland]

Good day Glenn, Let me let you in on one of my secret methods I came up with twenty-seven years ago of getting this BS job done the right way fast. Do not use a paint brush unless you really want a crap job. Spray them. Let them dry for at least a week before ya screw with them. The paint in the indentations is going to be thick. I know what you’re thinking. Is this guy nuts? The whole emblem painted! This is good. Now take a rag and put some lacquer thinner (That means a little thinner not a soaking wet rag! You don’t want it getting into the indentations.) on it and wipe the paint off the flat. Your job will be perfect. If you try to mask those suckers, you’ll be there until Christmas and the job will look like hell. Like any other paint job. Try and give it 45 to 60 days for the paint to cure before putting any polish to it. Let it breathe. This lengthy tutorial has cut into my beer time. Best of ruck, Bob L

[exeric]

Bob, I have to thank you again for a great tip. It's funny that this topic came up because I have been trying to paint a set of those '47-'50 emblems and making a mess of the job. Your method sounds better than anything I've heard, and better than anything I've tried.

[Robert Luland]

I forgot something. Mask off about 3/16" from the indentations. The less paint ya got to clean off the faster the job. Bob

[cdndewey]

Sounds great Bob, I'm going to try that on my 47 emblems..... now any suggestions for my 62's?

[Robert Luland]

Same thing. I originally figured this method out doing 59/60. The hardest ones to paint. Now if I could just figure out how to get those metallic specals into to the 57/58, I’ll have it made. Lol. Bob L

[cdndewey]

I don't know Bob, I can identify a 59-60 emblem but I wasn't to sure of the paint scheme so I pulled out one of my books to have a look. It looks like it would be a lot easier than the 61-62 white/black. I like your method and I'll use it to do my 47, but I think I got my work cut out for me with the 61-62's.