Badge restoration - Zen Graphics

[James McGrath]

Has anyone ever used Zen Graphics before?

Just seen that they do badge restoration kits and wondered if they were any good?

https://shop.zengraphics.co.uk/vauxhall ... -cd-4x4-gl

[Mk3alan]

For that money it's got to be worth a try!

Alan

[ilovedmymantas]

They do look good for the money.
Note that they're not quite OE, brushed chrome rather than polished. Could be a good template for experimenting with shinier stuff though.

matt

[Robsey]

To be honest, the OEM badges lose their shine and the silvering after a few washes.
So not a big issue in my opinion.

You do get the occasional official badges showing up on ebay.
Look for seller "Opelise".

It all comes down to the balance between "must be original" and looking original.

I never refitted any badges post-restoration.
It keeps a few people guessing - lol.

[Mk3alan]

When I got my Astra it had a CDX badge missing from the door trim, couldn't find one anywhere at the time. So I removed the one that was present and made a silicone mold from it into which I cast an araldite resin mix (slow cure). Once cured I was able to remove the letters and after some 'fettling' sprayed them and stuck them onto a similar size backing that mimicked the original.
They were originally sprayed to have a chrome look with which I was pleased but upon lacquering them the chrome look disappeared but at least it has a full compliment of badges!

Alan

[James McGrath]

That is amazing work Alan.
Good on you for making your own and doing such a good job of it too.

[Mk3alan]

Thanks James, the letters did look chrome till I lacquered them!


Alan