Author Topic: Badge paint code. A cautionary tale  (Read 1741 times)

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Offline StrawberryCheesecake

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Badge paint code. A cautionary tale
« on: Monday,January 23, 2017, 04:47:40 PM »
I am an arse.

A friend gave me a genuine period badge for the nose of the Europa. I was delighted, and fitted it... then tightened it slightly too far. Ping went the paint, in a big green chunk that turned into lots of little flakes.

Does anyone know the paint code for the green on the badge? If not, I'll get down the paint supplier and look at the colour chips. British Racing Green is probably a good start, but I think it looks too dark.
« Last Edit: Monday,January 23, 2017, 04:51:04 PM by StrawberryCheesecake »

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Badge paint code. A cautionary tale
« Reply #1 on: Monday,January 23, 2017, 05:45:34 PM »
Ouch, painful.  We've all done similar at one time or another.

Offline BDA

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Re: Badge paint code. A cautionary tale
« Reply #2 on: Monday,January 23, 2017, 06:36:28 PM »
Bummer! I don't think it's BRG but I would imagine you could get it matched with a computer at a paint store.

Offline 4129R

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Re: Badge paint code. A cautionary tale
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday,January 24, 2017, 11:00:39 AM »
The letters at the top of the Lotus logo are the initials of Lotus’ founder, Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman. It’s unknown why he chose the name ‘Lotus’ for his car company. The green background is British Racing Green, the color of British cars in his day. The yellow background symbolizes the sunny days Mr. Chapman hoped lay ahead for his company.

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Badge paint code. A cautionary tale
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday,January 24, 2017, 12:24:01 PM »
Just remember that British Racing Green is a generic term for a wide range of colours.

Offline EuropaTC

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Re: Badge paint code. A cautionary tale
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday,January 24, 2017, 02:00:35 PM »
It’s unknown why he chose the name ‘Lotus’ for his car company.

I seem to remember something in an early club lotus mag that it was to do with Hazel but of course I've no chance of finding the specific mag. Or it could have been one of Graham Arnold's many tales in the bar at a Club Lotus weekend; whatever the memory a quick search on Google and.....

Wikipedia claims....
" He named the car "Lotus"; he never confirmed the reason but one (of several) theories is that it was after his then girlfriend (later wife) Hazel, whom he nicknamed "Lotus blossom"."

or maybe he got the name from "Lots of Trouble....." as an in joke with his mates ?   ;)

Offline 4129R

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Re: Badge paint code. A cautionary tale
« Reply #6 on: Wednesday,January 25, 2017, 10:57:13 AM »
On rumour I heard from ex-Lotus employees was that before he formed the company, he sent a car to auction and it came back with a sticker on it Lot U/S, standing for lot unsold.

He thought that a good name for his new company.

Another rumour was that once you tasted the fruit of the lotus flower, you would not want to taste anything else.

Quote:-

"I was driven thence by foul winds for a space of 9 days upon the sea, but on the tenth day we reached the land of the Lotus-eaters, who live on a food that comes from a kind of flower. Here we landed to take in fresh water, and our crews got their mid-day meal on the shore near the ships. When they had eaten and drunk I sent two of my company to see what manner of men the people of the place might be, and they had a third man under them. They started at once, and went about among the Lotus-eaters, who did them no hurt, but gave them to eat of the lotus, which was so delicious that those who ate of it left off caring about home, and did not even want to go back and say what had happened to them, but were for staying and munching lotus with the Lotus-eaters without thinking further of their return; nevertheless, though they wept bitterly I forced them back to the ships and made them fast under the benches. Then I told the rest to go on board at once, lest any of them should taste of the lotus and leave off wanting to get home, so they took their places and smote the grey sea with their oars."

Chunky thought that once you had driven a Lotus, you would not want to drive any other car.

Offline StrawberryCheesecake

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Re: Badge paint code. A cautionary tale
« Reply #7 on: Monday,January 30, 2017, 04:02:20 AM »
Interesting the way this discussion has developed.

So I went to the local paint supplier and went through many different paint chips. None matched exactly, but I didn't really expect that on a 45 year old badge.

A couple of work in progress shots attached- not perfect but I think I can live with it. It'll get a coat of lacquer afterwards to help get a uniform level of shine.







I tried hand tinting the paint on that last coat, but now it's too dark instead of too bright.


Offline StrawberryCheesecake

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Re: Badge paint code. A cautionary tale
« Reply #8 on: Monday,January 30, 2017, 04:17:41 AM »
The winning paint code, for reference.


Offline HelpMyLotus

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Re: Badge paint code. A cautionary tale
« Reply #9 on: Monday,January 30, 2017, 05:07:25 AM »
In my opinion you just added value to your car.  Some may see it as a flaw, but I love the stories that go with the car.  I'd rather drive a car riddled with fixes, scratches and cracks that represent use and attention than a trailer queen.  I take great pride in maintaining the originality of the cars I own.  I repair some items that could easily be replaced for the challenge or the deep understanding of how they work or were intended to work. 

Cool story.  Great warning for those of us who may be installing a badge in the future. 

Funny comment to add; I was underneath my 67 Austin Cooper S pumping up the hydrolastic suspension.  A wealthy neighbor's daughter was over with my daughter and said to her "why doesn't your dad just get a new car?".  I grinned and kept on working.  "You don't get it kid, you probably never will" I thought to myself.



Offline StrawberryCheesecake

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Re: Badge paint code. A cautionary tale
« Reply #10 on: Monday,January 30, 2017, 06:48:55 AM »
Thanks for the kind words, but the car is a 'Bitsa' anyway, so there's very little originality to it.

I'd rather fix than replace though, where I have the chance. Maybe I'll concoct a tale about Colin Chapman stubbing out his cigar on it ;-)