Making Professional looking badges
 

Making Professional Looking Custom Badges

In this example I'm customizing center caps for my aftermarket wheels. I'm using 3D printed badges for the base material, but this can also be done with images printed on a regular inkjet printer using printable vinyl speciality paper to give them a 3D look.

Materials Required:
-Base material/Image (this can be a solid object, or a printed image. Photo paper can be used but if this is going to be on the outside of the car its best to use printable vinyl, or cut/layered vinyl)
-Jewelry Resin sometimes called Doming Resin (Available at most craft stores)
http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8496fcc4.jpg
-Mixing Supplies (usually supplied as part of the resin kit)
-Double-sided tape
-Wax Paper
-Paper Towels

Step 1 preparing the image

In this case I used existing center caps and placed my 3D printed 86 logos inside them using double sided tape. When using a flat printed image you'll want to simply cut out the image to the desired shape.

Tip: If you're going to be using double sided tape to mount the badge its best to attach it to the back of the image first and then cut them out together to ensure a nice matching edge.
http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...psce5b44b4.jpg

Step 2 layout

Find a flat level surface where the badges will be able to sit undisturbed for at least 12 hours while the resin cures.

Layout the wax paper to protect your work surface.

Arrange the parts (try to keep them close together so you can cover them easily while the resin cures)

Step 3 mix the resin

Follow the included mixing instructions. Most of these products are a 1-to-1 mix and come with graduated mixing cups.

It takes less resin then you probably think. In my example I used 1 Tsp of mixed resin for each badge. I mixed a separate batch for each badge to insure a consistent pour.

Tip: Clean out your mixing cups immediately after each pour using dry paper towels

Step 4 pouring

Pour the resin slowly

If your using a 3D object like in the example start with any cavities and then work from the center out to ensure complete coverage. You may need to use a stick to help the resin cover completely.

If you're using a flat image simply pour into the center of the object and allow the resin to flow to the edges on its own. The surface tension of the resin well cause it to stop when it reaches the edge. Edit: If you have square corners you may have to use a stick to help pull the resin into them.

Be sparing with the resin. It you use to much it will overflow and ruin your pour.
http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...ps642c6a4c.jpg
http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9ce3e218.jpg

Step 4 removing bubbles

The resin is self degassing, but will probably need some help popping bubbles that form at the surface.

For the kit I used you allow the resin to settle for 25 minutes after pouring before removing bubbles.

These were poured 5 minutes apart, the top right is ready for the bubbles to be removed.
http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...psa5317b56.jpg

There are two methods for removing the bubbles.

1. Gently blowing across the surface with a straw to break the surface tension allowing the them to pop.

2. Using a lighter or small torch quickly across the surface. This both helps break the surface tension, and cause the air in the bubbles to expand and pop.

I used the first technique as I demonstrate in this video.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti8VlfFgA7o"]Doming Resin Popping Bubbles - YouTube[/ame]

Step 5 curing resin

For the kit I used it takes 12 hours to setup, and 24 hours to fully cure. I suggest covering the badges while the cure to keep dust and debris that might settle on them and becoming a permeant part of your badge.

Wait the full cure time and resist the urge to touch them.

The Finished Product

In the end you should end up with a professional looking badge with a durable clear finish.

http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1c5cf495.jpg

awesome! now i know what to do with my WeatherTech liner logos. I'm gonna get rid of the WeatherTech logo and put a nicer looking BRZ logo.

That is pretty frickin cool.

Dude, that is AWESOME!

Very nice and very creative--thank you for posting this.

:)

(can't hit Thanks yet because of my post count, but I'll be back afterwards to do so)

That looks fantastic bud! Thanks for the great DIY. Never knew about this stuff, ideas are flowing lol.

Have any interest in doing an airbag badge replacement (in lieu of replacing the whole steering wheel)? Was thinking that you could do a 3Dprint of an 86 design that'd fit inside the toyota/scion "ring", then do the same resin dome process to make an airbag badge replacement. Thoughts?

Wouldn't want it hitting me in the chops if the airbag ever deploys.
Have not inspected the existing one closely enough to see if that wouldn't do the same.

Personally I have a BRZ and like my factory Pleiades badges the way they are. However its an interesting idea and I'd love to see how it comes out if someone else try's it.

I've posted the STL file for my 86 badge here for anyone who would like to play around with it.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:60073

I agree I wouldn't even consider doing anything with this unless I had a good understanding of how the airbag deploys, and was sure it wouldn't drive my fancy badge into my face.

omg! that looks cool. i think u should start making them and sell it? lol

Would buy some !! :drool:

Sorry guys, I'm not looking at getting into business. I posted the DIY so people could Do-it-Yourself. It's really easy, and cheap. The kit I bought is about $10 and very simple to use.

Anyone interested in this should get a kit and experiment with it.

Very nice! Might have to do this if I get center caps for my summer wheels.