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View Full Version : Solved Faded "X" logo on Xvalve. What to do?


Hook
01-30-2013, 02:23 PM
Is there any way to give back the Xvalve's "X" logo is luster of yonder? Mine is faded and doesn't look as good as it should.

I'm thinking lasering?
cockerpunk
01-30-2013, 02:41 PM
tooth paste

you might laugh, but it works amazingly well on odd surfaces
RT Lover
01-31-2013, 09:24 AM
tooth paste

you might laugh, but it works amazingly well on odd surfaces


thought tuna was the guy to talk about this, email him
going_home
01-31-2013, 07:48 PM
thought tuna was the guy to talk about this, email him

You sure he has toothpaste ?

Think he takes his out to clean them.


:eek:
Spider-TW
02-01-2013, 09:32 AM
You sure he has toothpaste ?

Think he takes his out to clean them.


:eek:

:argh:
Hook
02-01-2013, 10:06 AM
you sure he has toothpaste ?

Think he takes his out to clean them.


:eek:

rofl!
OPBN
02-01-2013, 10:19 AM
I thought lasering essentially cut through the anodizing to expose the metal underneath? So when the lasering fades, is this the metal underneath oxidizing? And is lasering doen on Classic valves different, or is this etching, not lasering?
Hook
02-01-2013, 10:29 AM
I've noticed that I could scratch off the white on the X logo, so I'm not sure if it's etched then painted or not.
Xmagterror
02-02-2013, 01:21 PM
I've noticed that I could scratch off the white on the X logo, so I'm not sure if it's etched then painted or not.

The reason why your logo is "fading" is because the exposed aluminum is oxidizing. when i get a valve in that condition i use the pointy end of a sharp dental pic and just trace over the logo with it. In my opinion it looks better than new....kinda like the logo has a brushed finish to it. It might be possible to use a chemical cleaner of some kind but damage to the anodizing may occur
Hook
02-02-2013, 09:29 PM
Thanks for pointing that out! I tried that and the X logo looks good as new now.

In retrospect, it was pretty obvious. Sometimes I have a tendency to over think things and miss the obvious things :p
need4reebs
02-04-2013, 01:15 PM
Thanks for pointing that out! I tried that and the X logo looks good as new now.

In retrospect, it was pretty obvious. Sometimes I have a tendency to over think things and miss the obvious things :p

lets see pics hook???:D
cockerpunk
02-04-2013, 01:33 PM
The reason why your logo is "fading" is because the exposed aluminum is oxidizing. when i get a valve in that condition i use the pointy end of a sharp dental pic and just trace over the logo with it. In my opinion it looks better than new....kinda like the logo has a brushed finish to it. It might be possible to use a chemical cleaner of some kind but damage to the anodizing may occur

that was my suggestion with toothpaste, its a very very very mild abrasive. works great for polishing type applications.
Hook
02-04-2013, 01:41 PM
lets see pics hook???:D

Before:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g90/pvcHook/Automag/20130131_093700.jpg

After:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g90/pvcHook/Automag/20130204_134503_zps3a1df271.jpg
Chronobreak
02-04-2013, 06:58 PM
gonna have to do mine tonight now.

My first thought was the same stuff they use to color names on a bowling ball, i believe its a waxy substance that is used to fill in the grooves, but it could be another option for a two tone look or a solid color.

now only if i knew what those things were called
need4reebs
02-04-2013, 07:07 PM
Before:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g90/pvcHook/Automag/20130131_093700.jpg

After:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g90/pvcHook/Automag/20130204_134503_zps3a1df271.jpg


whoa!!! so you just used a dental pic to do that eh???:wow:
Runamok
02-04-2013, 07:51 PM
SWEET!!! I gotta try that.
OPBN
02-04-2013, 08:05 PM
In car touch up kits, they sometimes include a little tool that has a knurled ball on the end of it for cleaning out the chip. I'll bet this would work well for the larger areas.
need4reebs
02-04-2013, 08:19 PM
gonna have to do mine tonight now.

My first thought was the same stuff they use to color names on a bowling ball, i believe its a waxy substance that is used to fill in the grooves, but it could be another option for a two tone look or a solid color.

now only if i knew what those things were called

will you post before and after pics as well???
Bunny
02-05-2013, 11:50 AM
Impressive! Looks like i'll have to give this a try as well. Or maybe I can mix white-out, toothpaste, and crayon together and see what happens :D
Hook
02-05-2013, 12:47 PM
whoa!!! so you just used a dental pic to do that eh???:wow:

Started with a dental pick then decided to give it a try with a 1/16 Allen key, which ended up making things MUCH easier. I scraped off the oxidation with one of the flat sides of the Allen key and it was the perfect width.