Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems September 30, 2007, 01:32:05 PM Hey folks,I'm in the process of refinishing the trim and emblems for the '86 XR7. I'd like to get it painted this spring, so having all of the small things done before will help to avoid any complications. I already have the taillights, fog lights, and all of the window trim finished. I still have to work on the body molding and trunklid emblems.I'll attach some pictures of what I've done so far.The body molding was pretty rough, so I spent a lot of time removing the corroded chrome film and hardened plastic cover. This left me with a plastic base with a light gray color. The next step is to find replacement chrome for that part of the trim (that looks NOS), or paint it dark gray to match the rest of the trim. Cost will be an issue. Ideas?The XR7-specific emblems are pretty much done. I spent some time "restoring" the header panel emblem, which was pretty dull. I got lucky with the condition of the chrome, but I spent a considerable amount of time trying to clear up the surface of the center section. It was removed and reattached to the chrome base using an epoxy. The c-pillar emblems are NOS from eBay, so I don't need to work on them. However, they are both for one side of the car; therefore, one of them will have a post or two removed for installation. I just hope they are for the '84-'86 cars and not the '87 cars. If they are for an '87, they really won't fit. In that particular case, I may have to amputate all of the posts and use some 3M material to mount them... which doesn't sit well with me.Does anybody have any ideas for restoring the emblems on the trunk lid and taillights? I have the standard 'MERCURY' and 'COUGAR' nomenclature, but this car also has the 'XR-7' and 'TURBO' badges on the trunk lid. They all need some attention, as the chrome is shot.I'm still thinking about what I want to do with those. Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #1 – September 30, 2007, 01:35:36 PM Here are some shots of the body trim.I need to do some final polishing of the softer plastic surface to remove the haze. I may not have to paint any of this molding. If I can remove the cruddy surface to reveal fresh material underneath, then smooth that material to give it a brand-new look, then I'm all set. I'd rather not paint any of this molding.Ideas? Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #2 – September 30, 2007, 01:37:25 PM It took me a long time to find a complete pair of the XR-7 inserts for the fender molding. The cement they used at the factory dries out after several years, and the inserts like to fall out. Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #3 – September 30, 2007, 02:59:02 PM I sell the correct chrome tape new. Nice work on the trim and emblems so far. Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #4 – September 30, 2007, 03:08:44 PM Wow that car is gonna be amazing!Good work! Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #5 – September 30, 2007, 05:15:11 PM Thanks for the comments, guys.Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports;179840I sell the correct chrome tape new. ;)Do you have enough material to cover all of the body molding, as well as the front and rear bumper covers? How does it look once it's applied?Send me a PM with some pricing. :shakeass: Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #6 – September 30, 2007, 07:17:39 PM Beautiful work !!! If I weren't so good at it myself,I'd be jealous.LOL.LOL. Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #7 – September 30, 2007, 09:15:21 PM http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=13506"How To" Install Thread.The kit is $24.99 shipped (I have 2 in stock right now). It is enough to cover all trim, including the bumpers, plus some extra. 7-10 year outdoor life.As seen here:http://www.aerobirdmotorsports.com/Appearance.html Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #8 – September 30, 2007, 10:02:41 PM Quote from: cougarcragar;179815Does anybody have any ideas for restoring the emblems on the trunk lid and taillights? I have the standard 'MERCURY' and 'COUGAR' nomenclature, but this car also has the 'XR-7' and 'TURBO' badges on the trunk lid. They all need some attention, as the chrome is shot.I'm still thinking about what I want to do with those.I think it's the details that count the most, so I would look for a set of NOS emblems if at all possible to match those that you have already found.Brent Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #9 – September 30, 2007, 10:28:04 PM Brent,Do you have any NOS or really nice Cougar emblems? I am having new emblems made down in Florida. I already sent in a full set of 87/88 TC emblems and 87/88 TBird emblems. I have some 83-84 and 85-86 stuff for round 2, but no Cougar emblems at all. The first batch of emblems is due in 6 weeks. Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #10 – September 30, 2007, 10:40:58 PM Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports;179907As seen here:http://www.aerobirdmotorsports.com/Appearance.htmlD'oh! Disregard the question in my PM. Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #11 – September 30, 2007, 10:55:17 PM Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports;179919Brent,Do you have any NOS or really nice Cougar emblems? I am having new emblems made down in Florida. I already sent in a full set of 87/88 TC emblems and 87/88 TBird emblems. I have some 83-84 and 85-86 stuff for round 2, but no Cougar emblems at all. The first batch of emblems is due in 6 weeks.I do, but I would rather not let them go to be "guinea pigs" if that is what you are thinking.Cougarcragar, to help you in your search, here are the part numbers from left to right:Grill "Mercury" emblem - E5WY-8A223-ATaillamp "Mercury" emblem - E7YY-16B856-ATaillamp "Cougar" emblem - E3WY-6642528-A"XR-7" emblem - E4WY-6642528-BNot pictured is the "TURBO" emblem for your '86 - D9ZZ-16B621-A (these weren't used on 1985 cars).Brent:cougarsmily: Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #12 – September 30, 2007, 10:58:11 PM Thanks, Brent. I really appreciate that.If things go the way I have planned, the '86 will look like it just rolled off the showroom floor this coming summer (except for the minor performance modifications). Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #13 – September 30, 2007, 11:15:55 PM Brent,Do you have any that would? I'll buy them if need be.Here's what I do have:87-88 C-pillar Bird (I dunno if the 85-86 one is the same, could you confirm)87-88 Thunderbird trunk script87-88 Turbo_Coupe trunk script83-84 door panel Bird83-84 C-pillar Bird83 "Small" Turbo_Coupe script83 "Small" Thunderbird script"EFI_Turbo" script83-84 grill Bird87-88 Taillight Bird Quote Selected
Restored and NOS Trim & Emblems Reply #14 – October 01, 2007, 10:13:30 AM Zach, everything looks great! Kudos to you for doing the work.I agree that you probably will not need to paint the grey molding. However, this is most likely your one and only shot at restoration without paint. The next time you'll probably need it. Not that it's a bad thing...it's just nice to say, "I restored this without paint." Quote Selected
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