Suggestions for a dash badge to cover trim blemish

[Rally Pack 2000]

My Mk2 Escort dash trim has a bit of a bubble blemish on it. These trims in good condition fetch reasonable money and this one is still in good condition apart from a couple of bubbles at one end. It seems like a waste to throw it away and the bubble are the exact same position where Ghia models have their badge so I thought why no just pop a badge there and save the trim? I need something round approx 50mm in diameter so have been looking at wheel centre caps. (Unfortuately traditional Ford Badges are oval and be too large) I did think of just putting on an RS centre cap from the period but mine is a Rally Pack rather than a Rally Sport and even though mechanically the same car with a Mexico type front the RS owners here get quite pedantic if they see that on my dash so I thought just a simple Ford logo would suffice.  I would like something subtle though that doesnt look too much like an aftermarket boyracer add on if possible and thought someone may have come across something that would be suitable? Given there is a space in the metal of the dash behind the trim for a bolt on badge it would have been great to get an enamel grill badge like that you get for Lotus Cortinas etc but I have never seen one with a plain old Ford symbol.

 

Something like this maybe but have to break the tabs off it of course?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x-BLACK-Ford-54mm-Alloy-Wheel-Centre-Hub-Caps-for-Fiesta-Focus-Galaxy-Mondeo-KA-/251649971221?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Wheels_tyre_Trims_Trims_ET&hash=item3a9781d415

 

Black and silver would be good. Any sugestions are greatly appreciated. Its a silly vanity I know but a ten buck badge seems more realistic that spending $150 for another trim and thats if you can find one in good condition.

 

 

 

 

[DT36]

Have a look at the following site and see what you can come up with.  Lots of different types of badges and styles in there I think...

 

http://www.dmb.uk.com/

[Vista]

Is that a vinyl cover over a hardboard trim piece? If so is it not repairable? A hypodermic needle to draw the air back out from the other side and then inject some adhesive and glue it down into place.

[Rally Pack 2000]

Is that a vinyl cover over a hardboard trim piece? If so is it not repairable? A hypodermic needle to draw the air back out from the other side and then inject some adhesive and glue it down into place.

 

I thought someone would probably mention that! Yes its a Vinyl cover over a hard plastic backboard. I have already drilled a hole in through the back in hope to let the air out but the problem is not a gas build up behind but rather an expansion of the the vinyl itself. There is a couple of different layers to give the moulded line and a softer centre and this soft centre layer has expanded into a bubble and will never go back flat again unfortunately. The car was parked on the street in the sun for 25 years. Most peel at all the edges under the same conditions so this one has done quite well all things considered

[mk2 mike]

Typical. I removed that trim from mine recently and just binned it! It was in perfect condition too. I've now got the square hole in the dash where the ghia badge fits.

[Rally Pack 2000]

Typical. I removed that trim from mine recently and just binned it! It was in perfect condition too. I've now got the square hole in the dash where the ghia badge fits.

 

Oh dear you shouldnt have binned it as they are worth reasonable money. One recently sold here for the equivalent of 70 quid and it wasnt in as good a condition as my one is. The bubbes are in the exact position where that little square is you mentioned so I think it is a contributing factor to he problem. I suspect that without the metal behind this point created a different thermal expansion and years in the hot Australian sun (inside the car the temp reaches an easy 60 degrees celcius in summer) this is the result.

[BigBubba]

What about something like this?

It's a RS X Pack decal.  Available on Ebay.

At least it's period correct??

 

[iandq]

how about a period 'st christopher' type badge or plaque?

cheers,ian

[In The Pit]

Typical. I removed that trim from mine recently and just binned it! It was in perfect condition too. I've now got the square hole in the dash where the ghia badge fits.

You must also have the holes where the clips go in and no surround for the heater, what made you remove it or are you planning to fit wood from the Ghia?

With regard the original post I had one that was coming away at the corners and I glued it back, if you've made holes in the plastic can you not inject some super glue in there at the back of the vinyl?

Another idea, when I glued mine I clamped it and on removing the clamps the vinyl was indented I thought i'd ruined it, then I had the idea of heating it up with a hairdryer, five minutes of hot hair and it was as good as new.  It may work on the bubbles or you could try heating it (with a hairdryer) and then placing a heavy book on it while still warm.

[mk2 mike]

I've just got rubber grommets temporarily and a blanking plate for gauges. The heater is long gone. I'm getting the holes filled in with metal before the respray.

[Rally Pack 2000]

You must also have the holes where the clips go in and no surround for the heater, what made you remove it or are you planning to fit wood from the Ghia?

With regard the original post I had one that was coming away at the corners and I glued it back, if you've made holes in the plastic can you not inject some super glue in there at the back of the vinyl?

Another idea, when I glued mine I clamped it and on removing the clamps the vinyl was indented I thought i'd ruined it, then I had the idea of heating it up with a hairdryer, five minutes of hot hair and it was as good as new.  It may work on the bubbles or you could try heating it (with a hairdryer) and then placing a heavy book on it while still warm.

 

I did drill holes in the plastic behind the bubbles with the intent to inject some adhesive just like you mentioned only that after doing so I discovered the vinyl hasnt really lifted with an air pocket as such but rather its expanded in thickness (there is a soft inner layer that gives it the spongy feel to it) and adding any adhesive will only make it bulge more. It basically is never going flat again unfortunately. Most do seem to just curl at the corners which would make for an easier fix.

[In The Pit]

I've just got rubber grommets temporarily and a blanking plate for gauges. The heater is long gone. I'm getting the holes filled in with metal before the respray. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1414573762.320085.jpg

I can see why you removed the dash pad now, to fit the gauges.

[In The Pit]

I did drill holes in the plastic behind the bubbles with the intent to inject some adhesive just like you mentioned only that after doing so I discovered the vinyl hasnt really lifted with an air pocket as such but rather its expanded in thickness (there is a soft inner layer that gives it the spongy feel to it) and adding any adhesive will only make it bulge more. It basically is never going flat again unfortunately. Most do seem to just curl at the corners which would make for an easier fix.

Could still be worth a try with a hairdryer, mine was deeply marked from the clamps and I was amazed how easy the marks disappeared with heat.