Van Gogh Artistic Assist

[Jtcf78911]

Hi all. Have performed a great deal of topsides and deck refurbishing this Spring on my 1985 O'Day 28 and these two little fellows jumped out at me yesterday. I would like to paint them to original colors (what were they?) but uncertain what paint to use to keep the salt impact down. Also, difficult to see in photos, but the green section around the letters actually has depth and should ideally be filled with something before painting? I know, just paint the dang things already - can't help myself - I want these babies just like they came out of the factory. If you're going to do the job, do it right. Hoping I have actually attached the photo. Any and all guidance appreciated. Tom O'Day 28.

 

[Ron20324]

Hobby shops/craft shops have some kind of little beads or pellets. Maybe some kind of plastic, you'd arrange them into whatever design you'd like then heat them in the oven to melt them. I picture yours would come out like the present Subaru emblems.

 

[capta]

If they were mine, I'd have them chromed.

 

[Jtcf78911]

Interesting ideas gents. I'll check it out. Who would do "chroming". Tx. T.

 

[capta]

Interesting ideas gents. I'll check it out. Who would do "chroming". Tx. T.

Should be at least a half dozen chroming shops in your area, especially around RISD. Jewelers often have their creations chromed.

 

[SailormanDan]

Yes, my guess is they were originally chromed and that has all flaked off over the years. I would do a google search, probably a place you could send them off to and have it done. Maybe a local machine shop could tell you who they use.

 

[31seahorse]

High School shop class included copper enameling to make neat stuff like that. Could a local art guild or art club or hobby shop offer a solution? Either A C Moore or Michaels could be a craft shop that might be able to offer some materials or suggestions. Our plaques like that were in such poor shape that we scratched out the remaining material and just painted the background black. I like your idea of trying to restore the plaques. It might be possible to buy replacements somewhere.

 

[Jtcf78911]

Do you mean chrome as in the really shiny material on mag wheels? Having a hard time imagining that on a 1985 all day. Aside from the green filler, the body and lettering material almost looks like pewter. Trying to find images on the web of the original 1985 O'Day moniker. Thanks. Tom.

 

[Jtcf78911]

Just paint it has of course crossed my mind. But at the moment I'm really into bringing it back to vintage. I live in Massachusetts so I call Rudy at D&R Marine and he said they don't exist any longer. Rudy has just about every O'Day part known to man so when he says no I take him at his word. I'll stay after it and let you know if I hit the jackpot. I was kicked out of shop class. I'm sure it was for a good reason. Tom O'Day 28.

 

[njlarry]

I like Rons idea as that sounds most like the original. However it might be worth investigating a power coating place to see if they could just color the background blue or green.

 

[Jtcf78911]

Was recommended I head to an auto body paint shop...

 

[Gene Neill]

Maybe bronze?

Do you mean chrome as in the really shiny material on mag wheels? Having a hard time imagining that on a 1985 all day.

 

[Jtcf78911]

Anyone ever seen an image of what the 1985 O'Day 28 starboard and port side placards image actually appeared? As noted, my existing placards appear to have a marine green filler around the O'Day lettering. I've seen some images with the classic blue and red coloring for lettering, but can't fathom those colors with marine green background I'm seeing in my placards... Tx. T.

 

[Davidasailor26]

My parents were the original owners of an '85 28. As far as I can remember the placards had the same colors as your top picture, just without the cracking and missing green parts. Having said that I was pretty young when the boat was new so I don't know if there was any discoloration by the time I started noticing the colors.

 

[Jtcf78911]

Thanks David. I kind of like the turquoise and pewter look...

 

[Waandderer]

Both Ideas are good, have them chromed at a local metal shop and them go to Micheals or the Hobby Lobby and get some " imitation stained glass plastic pellets" to fill in the different sections. heat them up in your oven and you will have yourself some snazzy markers...

 

[Jtcf78911]

I'm almost there. I'll put up an after photo of finished product. Thinking I need to dip/seal the final product to protect from Mother Nature? Any thoughts appreciated. Tom O'Day 28.

 

[Apex]

I have a 79 O28, and one sid still has some plastic, albeit yellow.

 

[Coyote]

when I re-did the badges of my 1984 28',,, I spray painted the entire badge, then LIGHTLY sanded the raised
logo and text, and finished with a clear coat,,, looked brand new 3 years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The blue color matched the hull stripes --- original background color was black

 

[Jtcf78911]

That is wicked smart and something even I could accomplish. I wasn't finding anything in the way of a plastic filler for the mold area around lettering. Do you recall brand/type of spray paint and the final clear coat? Thanks sailor "C".