Trunk emblem refresh

[Lucky 7]

Any suggestions on shining up the 2002 emblem on the trunk?  Mine is pretty torched. 

 

It feels way too delicate for sanding/buffing. Would that even work? It definitely looks different than the anodized aluminum on the belt line trim and drip rails.  I’m thinking it’s chromed aluminum, but not totally sure.
 

I could have it re-chromed, but it would be a solo batch so I’d be paying whatever batch minimum is…maybe $120. 
 

Since they’re NLA, what has everyone else done?

[Mike Self]

It's anodized aluminum and like a lot of 02 aluminum trim, gets cloudy--sometimes sooner, sometimes later.

 

To make it shiny again without re-anodizing (expensive as chroming) you'll need to remove the anodize coating either by sanding gently with fairly fine wet/dry sandpaper (320 grit to start, then finer once the anodizing is off) or chemically.  I've been told oven cleaner works well, but haven't tried it myself--just the sandpaper.

 

Once you have the anodizing removed, use really fine wet sandpaper (400-600 grit) then polish either by hand or with a Dremel tool and a little buffing wheel.  You can make it look really nice and shiny, then clear coat it to prevent corrosion.  

 

mike

[Lucky 7]

Thanks Mike. I’ve been through that process on all the rest of the anno aluminum, sounds like I just need to put in some more elbow grease. Odd that it looks so different than the other anno I’ve cleaned up, but who knows. Different part of the car, I guess. 
 

Appreciate the info. 

[lunarkingdom]

I would get some foam or VHB tape and stick it to a board so you can do all the sanding and polishing without bending it then when you are done you can remove it from the board, clean up the tape and install it.

[Mark92131]

To remove the anodized coating chemically, use a 2.5% solution of Drain Cleaner (Caustic Soda).  You can buy this at Home Depot (100% Lye) and mix it with hot water until you get the 2.5% solution.  Stick your part in for 30 minutes, rinse with white vinegar to stop the reaction, then clean water.  After drying the aluminum will be dull white.  Polish with Mother's Aluminum polish until nice and shiny.  You can then wax it or clear coat it.

 

Mark92131

 

 

[Lucky 7]

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll definitely try that. Sanding off the anno is a pain. I’ll still need to sand a bit to reduce the pitting, but that will go quick once the anno is stripped. 
 

Thanks guys!

Edited September 14, 2023 by Lucky 7

[slowbert]

Can someone show the right fasteners for the 2002 emblem above?  For the life of me, I can't figure out how it was attached.

[visionaut]

15 minutes ago, slowbert said:

Can someone show the right fasteners for the 2002 emblem above?  For the life of me, I can't figure out how it was attached.

 

[Mark92131]

18 minutes ago, slowbert said:

For the life of me, I can't figure out how it was attached.

 

They use a grommet.

 

Mark92131

 

51145480178 Genuine BMW Grommet | BMW Parts Deal

WWW.BMWPARTSDEAL.COM

---

Genuine 51145480178 Grommet fits 1967-1976 BMW 1602, 2002, 2002tii. BMW Parts Deal offers 51-14-5-480-178 for $8.32.

 

[bmw_e30]

are these really nla?

['76mintgrün'02]

Are they (were they) really $8 each? 

 

Vintage VW emblems use the same grommets.  They're still $4 each, but these guys say that they're in stock.

 

https://www.jbugs.com/product/113853695-3.html

[bergie33]

There are these too:

EMBLEM RETAINER CLIP DECK LID (SET OF 3) VW VOLKSWAGEN BUG 1968-1974 171853939

WWW.EBAY.COM

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Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for EMBLEM RETAINER CLIP DECK LID (SET OF 3) VW VOLKSWAGEN BUG 1968-1974 171853939 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

 

[Lucky 7]

On 9/13/2023 at 12:16 PM, Mark92131 said:

To remove the anodized coating chemically, use a 2.5% solution of Drain Cleaner (Caustic Soda).  You can buy this at Home Depot (100% Lye) and mix it with hot water until you get the 2.5% solution.  Stick your part in for 30 minutes, rinse with white vinegar to stop the reaction, then clean water.  After drying the aluminum will be dull white.  Polish with Mother's Aluminum polish until nice and shiny.  You can then wax it or clear coat it.

 

Mark92131

 

 

I finally got around to stripping the anno off my badge. Thanks again for the recommendation, science for the win!!  I can’t believe how well this worked. 10-15 minutes and I have an etched badge ready for sanding and polishing. I’m extremely happy with this solution. 
 

Insta-Flo and hot water and the aluminum starts bubbling immediately. Toxic fumes, but it’s working:

 

 

after a few minutes I could see flakes of anno and grime floating to the surface. I pulled it out a few times and wire brushed it lightly, then back in. Less than 15 minutes and it’s anno free and evenly etched. 
 

 

 

I’ll sand and polish it a little later this week and let you know how it goes. 

[zambo]

2 hours ago, Lucky 7 said:

I finally got around to stripping the anno off my badge. Thanks again for the recommendation, science for the win!!  I can’t believe how well this worked. 10-15 minutes and I have an etched badge ready for sanding and polishing. I’m extremely happy with this solution. 
 

Insta-Flo and hot water and the aluminum starts bubbling immediately. Toxic fumes, but it’s working:

 

 

after a few minutes I could see flakes of anno and grime floating to the surface. I pulled it out a few times and wire brushed it lightly, then back in. Less than 15 minutes and it’s anno free and evenly etched. 
 

 

 

I’ll sand and polish it a little later this week and let you know how it goes. 

Looking good - it’s a fun process so long as you do the de-anodizing outdoors. 
 

Take your time with the wet sanding and then the polishing - the finer you go with the sandpaper the better the finish but don’t go overboard. If your got a dremel or similar it will do the work for you in the polishing phase. Make sure you get the aluminum polish designed for wheels, etc. 

 

I  stripped and polished all the original ally trim for refurb  except I got a good deal on the waistline MVP trim so went with that. 

 

It should look more or less like this, though this has a bit of dust on it and the late afternoon light makes it look a bit dull - it pops in full daylight. 
 

 

On the matter of grommets, I think my posts on the back of the emblem have lost some length over the years - a bit like me 😮 - so I was going to secure with a push on speed clip - not sure if it’s the same name in the U.S.  You need some length in those posts for those push on grommets to get the franchise to hold it on firmly. 

Edited June 18 by zambo

[Lucky 7]

I spent awhile sanding and polishing the emblem today. It was really pitted, but I got most of it leveled off with dry sand 220. Then I wet sanded 400, 600, 800, and 1500. Then it was the denim wheel on my bench grinder. Then hand polishing with Mother’s aluminum polish. 
 

Its definitely not perfect, but it’s a big improvement.  It was in a pretty sorry state before. 
 

First two numbers polished, back end in final sand:

 

And all finished up. Maybe tomorrow I’ll get it mounted. 
 

 

Thanks again for the advice, all!

Edited June 21 by Lucky 7