Painted Badges Black-My Experience

Yesterday I pretty much a free day, so I decided to black out my Tacoma badges. In retrospect, this took all day long and wasn't hard, but it was a full day of doing stuff for such a minimal change in look. I took pics of my progress when I remembered, I'd sometimes forget, LOL.

I didn't take a pic of my supplies, so I made a list of what I used:

1. Adhesion Promoter purchased at Autozone http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...3&fromWhere=&itemId=132-10&displayName=Primer
2. Krylon Fusion for Plastic Flat Black Spray Paint from Wallyworld http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion_for_plastic/
3. Krylon Matte Finish--I got this at Hobby Lobby http://www.krylon.com/products/matte_finish/
4. Duck brand adhesive remover-- http://www.officemax.com/catalog/sk...lue_Adhesives&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=21604738
5. Fishing Line 20lb rated
6. Sand paper-320 grit
7. Hair dryer
8. 3m exterior double sided tape http://www.ecost.com/detail.aspx?ed...-google-_-ewbbase-_-Office&CAWELAID=366938273
9. Microfiber rags

I started by taping off all my badges like this:


Then I heated up the badges with the hair dryer on high heat for about 1.5 minutes until it was hot to the touch. I then took the fishing line and started at the "A" in Tacoma and inserted the fishing line behind the badge and in a vertical back and forth motion, began "sawing" off the adhesive from behind. I found that using long strokes works best as it doesn't put too much "wear" on the fishing line causing it to break. If you heated up the badges enough, it almost cuts like butter, leaving you with this:


I then gathered all my badges and prepped them for painting:


I first sanded them with 320 grit sandpaper (that's what I had laying around the house) to scratch up the shiny finish on all badges:

Tacoma badge on right is sanded, the one on the left is not

I cleaned the back of them removing any left over tape and washed all badges in the sink. I then dried them up, took them in the backyard and sprayed a light coat of adhesion promoter (forgot to take pic, LOL). I did 3 coats waiting about 5 minutes between each coat. When they dried, they look like they were frosted/white in color.

After drying, I then painted them with the flat black paint:


I ended up doing 4 coats of black paint with about 15-30 minutes between each coat. After 1 hour of drying, I then applied 2 coats of the matte finish.

I then went back to the truck after the last coat and began the painstaking process of cleaning up the adhesive on the truck. The adhesive remover was good; however, after all the rubbing was done, I got a darn blister on my thumb (too gross to post a pic of). I then cleaned the area with some cleaner wax and wax and all the adhesive was gone (not a trace was left).

After 2 hours of drying in the sun, the badges were dry to the touch, so my wife and I began cutting small strips of adhesive tape to apply on the back. This made it a pain of having to remove several strips of tape on one badge; however, I don't see how you all who have done this, cut it out as one piece, too hard for me to do. Then I reapplied to the truck:




Thanks for following my black badge painting experience!!

 

Honestly, that's looks great. Yeah, seems like a lot of effort for little reward but it's details like that that make your truck your own.

 

Nice.

 

nice write up dude. gonna be doing mine here soon this shout help out! +1 for you

 

Good job simon!!

 

very nice man, takes some time, but sure makes your truck look good

 

Looks good!

 

Agreed...it may have taken you all day but at least you know yours is unique in it's own way. I can't say I've ever passed a Tacoma in my area that has "blacked out" badges.

 

It takes time and a lot of patience to do simple mod on your truck but when all is said and done you'll be proud of it.

 

Nice job! Did mine about 3 months ago. I skipped the sand paper roughing up part. Primer adhesion and Fusion paint (3 coats) was sufficient. My truck is the ugly Desert Sand Mica so the black is a perfect contrast. 3M tape has held up beyond expectations - I don't anticipate any issues.
Need my daughter to teach me how to affix photos to this site!

 

It looks great it matches your rims good

 

contrary to popular beleif on this site desert sand is not ugly.

 

^No, it isn't. I like it. A blacked out desert sand mica Tacoma looks great.

 

Looks very good!

 

That's the right attitude! I spend a lot of time out in the desert hunting mule deer & javelina. If not hunting then scouting. Desert Sand actually fits me to a tee.
We need to voice our thoughts in a 'town hall' forum! Scream loudly - our passion shall be heard...! Desert Sand Mica colors do not bleed....! We shall overcome the ignorance of the little people in this great land......I'll shut the f--k up now.

 

x2...............if i didnt like silver so damn much.....i definitely would have gotten desert sand mica when i got the 2nd gen i had. love that color....and blacking everything out looks awesome with it!

 

Looks great!

 

Thanks guys. All the positive comments makes me appreciate the mod more! It also helps my wounds from doing this mod are healing too (cut finger using utility knife and my blister,LOL)

 

Looks tough as hell!

 

That is awesome. I just recently purchased a new tailgate (thanks to the father-in-law for running the other one into a mailbox) and just requested them not put any decal on it. As far as my side ones go though...I think Black on Black would look nice. Thanks for the pics and the idea man.