Best way to paint emblem..help!
 

The badge the is directly under the hood star on all the older Merces, the only that says "Mercedes-Benz" with the laurel, and the blue background...what is the best way to paint this without getting the paint on the lettering? I am perplexed, as I would love one in good shape to replace my faded one...

If anyone know's a source to buy one, or has one in really good shape I'd be VERY interested!

Going to the dealer for a new one might be a better/easier idea, I think they just snap on or screw on from the backside of the grille don't they?? I'd imagine its a less than $15 part at a dealership.....mine is purely silver too. :D 100% weather/wind/elements beaten, but I like it that way, shows the car has been everywhere. ;) (and I am too cheap to replace it) :D

new one is easier

I bought one from fastlane for my 83:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/quote.jsp?clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&cookieid=1CQ0J3JZ41UD1CXJUF&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&partner=mercedesshop&year=1983&product=O5010-74378&application=000384401

I don't know if yours is the same.

One thing you can try is:

1) pour some kerosene on a piece of bright copy paper. just enough so it is wet.
2) Touch badge to kerosene on paper LIGHTLY so just the raised surface that you want to stay chrome touches it.
3) imediately put down and spray paint.
4) When dry wipe with a white shop rag.
5) The paint that hit the kerosene did not stick, so it will wipe right off.

it takes a little practice but it works for items like that.

Another way is to touch liquid candle wax to just the raised surface.

For prep work, or to redo steel wool the emblem with 0000 grade.

They are like $8, not worth painting IMHO.

Wodnek ... nice trick with the kerosene. I'll have to remember that. ;)

Well, I just did two.
Honestly, it wasn't that big of a deal.

I have a lot of model paint around and am used to doing detail.

Some blue enamel paint ( I use 1/3 ounce model paint from a hobby store,
but in a pinch use spray paint into a cup and let it sit while the solvent evaporates and it thickens).

Brushed it in without concern for the letters or design.
After getting the blue to run into and fill the crevices,
I rub across the top to remove any paint from the raised design.

I used tissue paper, and a cotton swab and had good results.
On another emblem I let it dry completely and then used an X-acto knife
(or razor blade would do) and scraped off the dried paint from the raised letters.

The emblem is off the car for this work, it needs to be in hand and horizontal.

After it was all done and looking good the last thing was to spray it with clear enamel (purchased from Home Depot).
Several coats of clear I figured would protect the emblem from wind and wear.

So far, only several thousand miles on the one pictured.