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rechroming Healey wings

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nevets

nevets

Jedi Knight
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Has anyone ever rechromed the Healey badge? If so, did the process involve replacing the red enamel (I think it's enamel)inlay? The chrome on my badge is tired but the red inlay is fine. I would like to restore the original because the repro badges are not of very high quality. Any advice and resources are appreciated.
 
Hi Nevets, Yes restoration is possible. Full restoration is very very expensive. Rechroming the wings is also a bit critical. Here is what can happen if you just try rechroming. Due to the age of the piece there can be undetected separation of the Cloisonne inlay and the badge base.The acids used in the plating process get trapped in these voids and cause a sever darkening of the badge over time.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
FWIW, my understanding is that the red portion is cloisonne, not enamel. It has been described to me that the badge is made by melting powered glass to form the cloisonne, then plating the badge. That being said, you should be able to refresh the chrome by using 'do-it-yourself' plating kits. I've never done it (couldn't talk my wife's uncle out of his Healey) but that's what's been described to me.
 
Keoke
Sounds like my options are spend a lot to do it right or take my chances with something that may self-destruct over time. Thanks
 
Yes Nevets thats about it. You are looking at a cost of not less than $300.00 and turnaround time up to six months. You can check this out by searching "Emblemagic". There are others out there too. You Might get a bummer off E-bay and have it redone and leave the one on the car in the mean time or vis/vers.--Keoke--??

OH! One nore precaution, If the plater's buffer is heavey handed the lettering on the badge will be widened.
 
I had such a badge (the early type) rechromed one time many years ago (more than 20 years ago), and it came out great. It didn't hurt the cloisonné at all, and the chrome was quite good. I can't give you the technical explanations or rate the chances that you'll have a similar experience, but I was pleased and surprised that the cloisonné was not affected. It still looks great.
 
Thanks Keoke/Reid
I checked out the Emblematic website you refer to and yes it is rather rich. Perhaps I will contact one or more reputable chroming houses for further input. I believe I read somewhaere that when originally made, the cloisonne is applied prior to chrome, due to the extreme heat required by the cloisonne process. That would suggest that it should be possible to rechrome without any ill effects. By the way, those repro badges are really of poor quality. It appears that they are made from a pattern struck from an existing badge...like a 3rd generation copy, plus the one I have is flat, not curved to match the contour of the receiving surface.
 
nevets,if you deside to do as keoke suggested[buy a bummer from e bay] you might consider calling john at 'sports and classics'in darien ct.on the post road,he has several very good examples of original pieces that i have had the oppertunity to personally examine.also fine pieces of the 'lightning bolt'badge and '3000' badges,and the 'austin healey'script badge.good luck,anthony7777 1963 bj7 3000 M.K.II /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
Look very carefully at the cloisonne (best to use some magnification). If there are cracks in the surface there is a good chance that these areas will fall out during the chroming/buffing process. I had an extra badge that I included in a recent chrome batch. The chrome came out great but lost a few chunks of cloisonne. Here is the info for another outfit that refurbishes the badges. No personal experience but there were some satisfied customers on the Healey list.

PD Enamels,
1 New Street
Chulmleigh
Devon EX18 7DB
UK
Tel & Fax 00 44 (0)1769 520536
 
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