Default User
08-16-2010, 10:19 PM
Not sure if anybody else is interested in this, but here's a quick How-To: DIY Front Emblem mod.
This was done on a 2005 Mazda 3 Hatchback, not sure if it applies to all other models.
Needed:
Acrylic or Plexi - thinest possible (available at Home Depot for about $5
Dremel or similar Rotary tool with cutter bit
Pen or Sharpie
Primer and Spray Paint or Krylon Fusion (Your color of choice)
Clearcoat
Zip Ties (Dollar store)
Skill effort: 1/10
Time: 40 minutes to 1.5hrs (waiting for paint to dry)
Total Cost of this project: $5 (Primer, paint, and clearcoat is extra)
Step 1: Remove the front emblem by pressing the tabs on the backside of the grill.
Step 2: With you Sharpie, Trace a rough outline of the emblem onto the Acrylic. It doesnt have to be perfect as you will have to trim around the tab portions anyway. Out your emblem in a safe spot (I almost stepped / sat on it 3 times.
Step 3: Take your rotary tool and start cutting away
Step 4: Mock it up to your emblem and start trimming where necessary until it fits snug between the four tab/prongs
Step 5: Clean off any shavings, and pull off both sides of the paper backing.
Step 6: Take your Acrylic piece, and Hit it with some Primer, then paint (or the Krylon Fusion) Spray in 15 minute intervals. I used 1 coat primer, and about 3 coats of paint.
Step 7: Seal it with some Clearcoat. I used 3 coats.
Step 8: While you wait for this to dry, CAREFULLY bend the push tabs off of your emblem - NOT to break the actual prong. YOU MUST KEEP THE PRONG IN 1 CLOSED PIECE (like a window frame), so you can loop the zip tie inside it later.
Step 9: Once all the paint and clear is dry, match it up to your emblem.
Step 10: Bring the emblem back to the grill.
Step 11: Using the zip ties, loop them through the window frame prongs to keep in place. Cut off the tails
Step 12: Shut the hood and make sure the emblem is securely in its place
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4899373981_aed82f7f6c.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4899374899_e656d5a59a.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4899965348_b65421e74a.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4899968562_ea558bb9d8.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4899969680_7b13a9fb2a.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4899971354_89f147911b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4899380089_c520d59f80.jpg
This is my first attempt at a How-To so sorry if I'm not specific enough. I know I didnt take a pic of every step, only because I thought it might be a little redundant.
if you think its a little to Honda-like, you can always use a Carbon Fibre look vinyl sticker (available at Crappy Tire) for amore sleak look.
Happy DIY-ing
- Default User
This was done on a 2005 Mazda 3 Hatchback, not sure if it applies to all other models.
Needed:
Acrylic or Plexi - thinest possible (available at Home Depot for about $5
Dremel or similar Rotary tool with cutter bit
Pen or Sharpie
Primer and Spray Paint or Krylon Fusion (Your color of choice)
Clearcoat
Zip Ties (Dollar store)
Skill effort: 1/10
Time: 40 minutes to 1.5hrs (waiting for paint to dry)
Total Cost of this project: $5 (Primer, paint, and clearcoat is extra)
Step 1: Remove the front emblem by pressing the tabs on the backside of the grill.
Step 2: With you Sharpie, Trace a rough outline of the emblem onto the Acrylic. It doesnt have to be perfect as you will have to trim around the tab portions anyway. Out your emblem in a safe spot (I almost stepped / sat on it 3 times.
Step 3: Take your rotary tool and start cutting away
Step 4: Mock it up to your emblem and start trimming where necessary until it fits snug between the four tab/prongs
Step 5: Clean off any shavings, and pull off both sides of the paper backing.
Step 6: Take your Acrylic piece, and Hit it with some Primer, then paint (or the Krylon Fusion) Spray in 15 minute intervals. I used 1 coat primer, and about 3 coats of paint.
Step 7: Seal it with some Clearcoat. I used 3 coats.
Step 8: While you wait for this to dry, CAREFULLY bend the push tabs off of your emblem - NOT to break the actual prong. YOU MUST KEEP THE PRONG IN 1 CLOSED PIECE (like a window frame), so you can loop the zip tie inside it later.
Step 9: Once all the paint and clear is dry, match it up to your emblem.
Step 10: Bring the emblem back to the grill.
Step 11: Using the zip ties, loop them through the window frame prongs to keep in place. Cut off the tails
Step 12: Shut the hood and make sure the emblem is securely in its place
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4899373981_aed82f7f6c.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4899374899_e656d5a59a.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4899965348_b65421e74a.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4899968562_ea558bb9d8.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4899969680_7b13a9fb2a.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4899971354_89f147911b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4899380089_c520d59f80.jpg
This is my first attempt at a How-To so sorry if I'm not specific enough. I know I didnt take a pic of every step, only because I thought it might be a little redundant.
if you think its a little to Honda-like, you can always use a Carbon Fibre look vinyl sticker (available at Crappy Tire) for amore sleak look.
Happy DIY-ing
- Default User