Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: siverson Jul 17 2014, 10:42 AM

I just got a repro 914-6 emblem from AA and it's too small by almost 1/4". The mounting pegs do not line up with the factory holes. Otherwise it looks ok, but the dashes between the numbers are thicker than the original.

But, I don't want to put more holes in my rear panel. Maybe I'll just try to figure out how to replate my original emblem...

-Steve





Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: siverson Jul 17 2014, 10:42 AM

More




Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: siverson Jul 17 2014, 10:45 AM

914




Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: siverson Jul 17 2014, 10:45 AM

914




Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: toolguy Jul 17 2014, 10:48 AM

Typical AA quality. . I tried one of their Six emblems 3 years ago but after going thru 3 with all having the same extremely poor plating, I just put my original one back on. . better a little wear than an outright crappy copy. I never tried to mount theirs so that may have been an issue all along. . Who knows but them, and they wouldn't even think of disclosing it

Posted by: SirAndy Jul 17 2014, 11:09 AM

Cut it apart at one of the dashes, space it correctly, bond it in place with a thin layer of fiberglass and resin on the back of the emblem.

Then fill in the gap with more resin, sand, prime and paint the filler and you're good to go!

Posted by: JmuRiz Jul 17 2014, 11:16 AM

Most, if not all, repo parts are "off"
Same thing happened with a local 356 owner when he got parts to rebuild his car. Everything was a bit off and not quite the same look as original.

Posted by: rjames Jul 17 2014, 02:13 PM

I'm constantly amazed that someone can take the time to produce things like this but not care to get it right.

Posted by: 914Mels Jul 17 2014, 02:22 PM

Years back when I worked at a Toyota dealer, we had a gold plating machine to add gold to the metal car emblems. You didn't even need to remove them from the car. it used real gold, I forget how the process actually worked but it looked as good as the factory gold emblems you could buy from the parts department and was way cheaper. you could probably call around and find a shop that still does this.

Posted by: siverson Jul 17 2014, 04:13 PM

Dumb question: is the factory emblem metal? Who can refinish it? Who does that?

-Steve

Posted by: hblyle Jul 17 2014, 04:29 PM

They are fine for custom applications, if two of the pins line up cut one off or cut two off and just have one holding it on? I would hate to drill a hole!

Posted by: Sea Dragon 914 Jul 17 2014, 04:41 PM

this is a bummer. Back in the old days, they had some pretty good stuff. I remember ordering side stripes for one of my cars and it was a darn good reproduction. I recently ordered a set for my LE as I was thinking about re-painting it and the set I got isn't even close to the factory (I have a factory sets of Saturn yellow and grasshopper green). I guess George's QC has gone down hill.

Posted by: carr914 Jul 17 2014, 06:08 PM

Even worse when they had a Real One to Copy from!

Posted by: 914Sixer Jul 17 2014, 06:10 PM

Check with Caswell Plating for the kits to refinish emblem. BUT they will not be cheap.

Posted by: mepstein Jul 17 2014, 07:35 PM

I'm sure GH would claim his is right and Porsche got it wrong.

Posted by: McMark Jul 17 2014, 08:43 PM

Look into gold leafing (gilding). It would probably need to be clear coated to keep it looking nice. This isn't a great example, but gives you the idea. With some practice you can to some really great looking stuff.


Attached image(s)

Posted by: infraredcalvin Jul 17 2014, 10:14 PM

Google a metal plating company in SD, there are many, take it in and ask them about it. If they're any good they will be able to identify the process just by taking a look. Take it to a couple of different places until you're comfortale. It should be fairly cheap (and easy) for them to do.

The home kits like Caswell take right equipment, setup and practice. You'll be in several hundred before you even start, and that's if you use stuff you have or half ass it. Decent warmers, pumps, aerators and the kit you'll be in at about 1k.

Posted by: pete000 Jul 17 2014, 10:59 PM

Why would you buy anything from AA ?

Posted by: siverson Aug 30 2014, 09:44 PM

> Why would you buy anything from AA ?

I know, I'm an idiot. I forget not to do that every 5 years or so... But, with a little effort, they did refund my purchase. Yay.

And I bought another "NOS 914-6 emblem" from AASE for $$$, and while it is very nice and nearly perfect, I wouldn't call it NOS because it clearly has been mounted before. But it will do.

-Steve




Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: Socalandy Aug 30 2014, 11:27 PM

I had mine re finished and it came out nice.

Posted by: siverson Sep 12 2014, 10:50 AM

So... what is the original gold emblem finished in? Is it gold? bronze? something else?

-Steve

Posted by: Hank914 Sep 13 2014, 07:33 PM

If not AA, then where is a good place to get the "914" and also the "1.7". My PO did the Porsche reflector, and I'm thinking about going back to the stock look with the badges.

Posted by: siverson Oct 7 2014, 11:59 PM

and i had my original emblem re-plated, but in real gold. i dont think thats the "correct" finish, but it looks very nice and is super flat.


Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 8 2014, 11:43 AM

Posted by: 914Sixer Oct 8 2014, 02:46 PM

My understanding is that Porsche now has the 914 USA badges back in stock. Seems like I saw the info on the Porsche Classics section.

Posted by: sbsix Oct 8 2014, 04:19 PM

I'm afraid that when we start plating emblems in solid gold I'm going to have to find another hobby!

Posted by: siverson Oct 8 2014, 08:03 PM

> I'm afraid that when we start plating emblems in solid gold I'm going to have to find another hobby!

Any material used is going to be super thin - it really doesn't effect the price. It's all in the prep/labor.

-Steve

Posted by: RobW Oct 8 2014, 10:51 PM

Where do you live, work or park again?