| LIFE OF A GT |
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 | |  | April 21, 2008 - The only downside to the late grille is the red badge.
It looks a little downmarket compared to the early black and red design. So I picked up one of the latter as well, and I have plans to fit it to this grille. Somehow.
By the time I'm done, this car will drive the purists nuts.
Okay, the badge isn't the only downside. I'm going to have to do something about that exposed teal paint where the original grille sat. A repaint is definitely in this car's future anyhow, so I'll do something temporary for the time being.
entry 31 - tags: grille, badges | | |  | April 23, 2008 - Time to change out the badge on the grille.
The first step is to figure out how the original one is attached. So I disassembled the grille, only to discover that the original was stuck on with double-sided tape. A prod from behind with a screwdriver popped it out.
entry 34 - tags: grille, badges | | |  | April 23, 2008 - The old and new badges are not identical.
The new one (the red) is completely flat and has a bevel on the back side. The black one does not have the bevel and is ever-so-slightly larger. A bit of time spent with a grinding wheel and lots of test fitting, then a touch-up of the edges with black marker and it pops right into place.
entry 35 - tags: grille, badges | | |  | April 23, 2008 - Side by side, there's a surprising difference in the badges.
Not just in terms of color scheme - that's obviously a personal preference - but in execution. The red badge that came with the grille was sloppily made, with a couple of clear voids between the silver and the red. It was also a simple flat piece that had the colors applied to the back.
The new one actually has some relief to it. The silver sections are raised (or embossed if you look at the back) and there's much finer detail in the design. The raised silver bits catch the light and make it look like a fine piece of work, as opposed to a cheap printed unit. It's also made to a higher quality level, with no gaps or voids.
The clear strip along the top is the result of my preliminary sanding efforts that took some black paint off the back.
entry 36 - tags: badges | | |  | April 23, 2008 - The new old badge in place!
A bit of attention with a grinder - being careful not to hit the edges of that chrome border! - followed by a touch-up with a marker and it dropped right into place. It looks far better.
Instead of using double-sided tape to attach it, I used some 3M badge adhesive. Not the best choice really, it did some slight damage to the paint that's visible in this picture. Not that anyone else will see it, but I know it's there. Of course, now I remember where I put the tape...
entry 37 - tags: grille, badges | | |  | April 27, 2008 - The older badge looks great in the sunlight.
There's a depth to it that just didn't exist in the later one. Or any other badge that you see on new cars, actually.
entry 52 - tags: badges | | |  | June 20, 2011 - The rear looks particularly wide, partly because the badges aren't installed.
Janel wants to keep them and I didn't fill the holes, so they will go back on. I need to buff the paint first. That's also why the mirrors and the chrome side trim aren't installed.
entry 592 - tags: body, badges, emblems | | |
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THE DIARY