Vanishing Bird Emblems

[98 'Bird]

This isn’t a very technical post but I see this on many 4th-gen Birds, including my own. The red “Firebird” logo between the taillights and the bird below started to fade and now are extinct. I know I can buy a whole new piece from GM probably for $150 and have it replaced…

So does anyone know from experience a good source for an alternative such as a vinyl overlay that will look like the stock emblems on the back? I am new to the forum so maybe this is weird… but I’m sure many have had the same problem. Thanks, all.

[ConElite]

I was thinking the same thing. Mine is all faded off.

[Injuneer]

You can remove whats left, possibly using very fine sandpaper (1000-grit or finer) and some plastic polish. Then get a replacement vinyl decal from Brent Franker:

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/vinyl/vinyl.htm

Brent's vinyl is very high quality, for very fair prices. He has a variety of designs and colors, including some that match the originals.

[LarryMow]

The center section of my light faded as well. I sanded it down, painted it, and put on a vinyl replacement decal....and I gotta say, it looks sweet. I bought my decal on ebay for something like 10 bux....but if Brents decals are anything like his replacement headlight gears, I would highly recommend them.

[PontiacFan]

I've reworked many of these over the last few years, & typically buy/sell a couple dozen a year. I haven't done any within the last couple months as they are getting harder to buy 'cheap'. If I can't buy'em cheap, it's not worth reworking.

1) It's always easiest to do this when removed from the car. I screw them down to an old wooden workbench using simple short drywall screws & fender washers. I have simply used duct tape & taped it down to my countertop in the garage also.

2) Use nail polish remover to remove the leftover pink ink. Be careful if you do this on the car, as you don't want this running down the rest of the car. Also make sure you do not get it anywhere else on the plate except the exposed 'shiny' surface area. If you get it on the area up top where the hatch lid seals, it will stain it.

3) Keeping it wet, I use a small 1/4 sheet sander & start with 600grit wet-sandpaper. When all the 'history markings' of the leftover emblem is gone, I move to 1500 with the machine. I usually finish with 1500 or 2000grit by hand.

4) If you have some type of buffer or polishing machine, this last step will go much easier. I start with Zaino's glass polish, then change pads & go to the Zaino Plastic polish. I have also used the Meguiar' PlastX which will produce fine results. Just keep ploishing until you reach the desired finish. If you polish it & still some scratches leftover, simply 'spot' wet-sand again & polish again.

5) Top it off with your typical wax/polish that you use on your car. Be sure to always wet the taillights & center section when cleaning them, as any dirt/dust pushed around with a towel/cloth will produce small 'scratches' over time.

There are a couple webpages available that basically tell ya the same thing. Many people do this with it still mounted on the car if they're doing it for themselves.
Good Luck!

[Injuneer]

Anothe "plus" for the Formula..... no decals on the center panel.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Mine was all faded when I bought the T/A in '99. I had purchased a new center section then, and it's looked like new for 8 years. I usually wax mine and that seemed to help. But don't know for sure if that's the case. So for those that have already faded ones, would it help if you put the decal on, then waxed it to protect the coloring from UV rays? Just a thought.

[98 'Bird]

Thanks for all your comments and advice. I'll definitely look into your recommendations. I don't think that sanding is necessary in my case. The Bird isn't faded; its gone. Actually looks kind of sleek since it's all black there now and goes well with the glossy black paint. But that's not the point... the Bird needs to be displayed proudly.

[98 'Bird]

Mine was all faded when I bought the T/A in '99. I had purchased a new center section then, and it's looked like new for 8 years. I usually wax mine and that seemed to help. But don't know for sure if that's the case. So for those that have already faded ones, would it help if you put the decal on, then waxed it to protect the coloring from UV rays? Just a thought.

I should also mention...

I definetly think it's the UV rays too. And they are bad on red especially. For my primary wax I use only Eagle One WET. Best stuff ever, but definetly not for plastic. Maybe a good consistent coat of Wax-as-u-dry. That'll go on anything.

PontiacFan, thanks the advice also... AWESOME.

[Injuneer]

Hard to believe anyone is still using "wax" on their prized automobiles. Do yourself a favor and try a "search" on the forums for keyword "Zaino".

[Christopherrr]

Or you can just buff it all off and leave the section black...

I saw it on a Blackbird and it's sinister...so I did it too. I had the overlay from bfranker...it's quality.

[Injuneer]

Or you can just buff it all off and leave the section black...

Then it would be just like the factory Formula rear panel.

[JohnBoy_93Transam]

mine faded too, and i sanded it down, and bought a vinyl overlay off ebay for $11 and put it on, looks alot better! and i also put fill-ins on the car were it says PONTIAC, i have a red car, so i got black fill-ins, and they look great! bought them off ebay too!

[sneitzel]

... get a replacement vinyl decal from Brent Franker:

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/vinyl/vinyl.htm

Brent's vinyl is very high quality, for very fair prices.

+1 for Brent's merchandise
A+ quality and price