View Full Version : Happy Mac car emblem (was "Car vandalized. What next?")
http://i45.tinypic.com/24w56qu.jpg
Last night I noticed that someone in the past day or two decided to vandalize my car. How? The jerk just pried/broke off the Saturn emblem from the front. Wtf? Of all the things to do to fuck with someone's car, you're going to steal the emblem? From a low-end, ten-year-old Saturn?!
*shrug* :\
So, now I'm facing a decision: what should I do next? Obviously there's no point in trying to find out who did it. This little chunk of plastic isn't worth that much. Instead, I'm trying to decide what to do about this blemish on the front of my car. I figure I have three options:
Leave it as it is. Who cares? I'll probably be replacing the car soon anyway since it's old (and everyone knows GM cars don't last ;)).
Order a replacement part. Surely GM has a few spares sitting somewhere, right?
Make my own! Take some of that sheet polystyrene and carve out a nice emblem of my own.
For the last option, I was thinking maybe something like this:
http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/startrek/images/5/56/Enterprise_cmd_insignia.jpg
joveblue
2010-02-14, 19:47
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C840ZK?tag=littgift-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B001C840ZK&adid=0J8K7MYM3R7KZWHNE9X7&
curiousuburb
2010-02-14, 19:56
Trogdor... Link... Cylon LEDs! :p
Make a few and swap 'em as mood suits.
dmegatool
2010-02-14, 19:59
Star Trek and Transformers... nice. I guess nobody's gonna steal them, they're not as hot as the Saturn one.
drewprops
2010-02-14, 20:32
Could it have actually fallen off?
Just maybe?
...
psmith2.0
2010-02-14, 20:39
That's what I was wondering. Who in the hell would steal a Saturn emblem (I drive a Saturn, and have owned two since 1994, so don't take my comment as a slam in any way! :) ). Maybe since they're on the way out, folks are trying to get an early jump on the collectible market?
:confused:
But, yeah...if you're faced with a missing emblem, look at it as an opportunity to create your own. Not sure about the "Star Trek" thing, but whatever tickles your tater.
Hmmm...I need to go out and see if mine is still on. :err:
Well, the Saturn logo was really awesome. *tear*
I'd go DIY. You're, like, DIY Guy. It's your superpower. We mere mortals can barely spell "DIY."
Triforce maybe? 1UP mushroom? 2-inch LCD display? :p
RowdyScot
2010-02-14, 20:44
I say go for the Triforce or a Hylian shield.
Ooh! It's just the right shape for a Happy Mac. :D
Could it have actually fallen off?
Just maybe?
...
Possible, but unlikely. See that little bit of red plastic in the middle? I did a little research on replacements and apparently there are two holes and the emblem has two plastic feet that go into the holes to help hold it in. The red piece that's left there shows sure signs of breakage, see?
http://i48.tinypic.com/110hr2a.jpg
I don't think plastic just "falls off" with uneven, sharp edges like that.
Ooh! It's just the right shape for a Happy Mac. :D
Oh, that's perfect! :lol:
Maybe if a large piece of hail hit it just so? Or a meteor.
I'm going with meteor. The little badge sacrificed itself to keep the body panels from getting a dent, brave little thing. It was an hero *sniff*
psmith2.0
2010-02-14, 20:54
That shape lends itself to lots of good ideas. Hell, make several and switch 'em out. Seasonally or whatever. Have a Finder/happy Mac one, a big Snow Leopard "X", Apple logo, etc. :)
Or go all meta and use, like, a NASA photo of Saturn. Or the classical symbol.
curiousuburb
2010-02-14, 21:42
Or go all meta and use, like, a NASA photo of Saturn. Or the classical symbol.
I'm inclined towards Cassini (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap041225.html) rather than Goya (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_Devouring_His_Son), but if it deters future vandalism, go with the cannibalism. ;)
Junk yard. I'm sure there's a ton of Saturns there. :lol:
drewprops
2010-02-14, 22:39
I say you epoxy a Mercedes emblem to it. Go upscale, you deserve a treat!
...
I kind of like the alchemic Saturn symbol for this... http://symboldictionary.net/?p=1031
http://symboldictionary.net/library/graphics/symbols/saturn.jpg
Talk about nerdy... :D
You should glue in a magnet where the badge used to be and use that to customize the badge. Anytime you find something you want to put there, you can just glue a magnet to it and stick it on the front! Also works for those cheesy souvenir magnets.
How about one of these?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3998416336_e175ef2213.jpg
drewprops
2010-02-15, 00:25
Go to the Creative Endeavors thread and look at my Action Figure. I could send you some parts from one of the castings and let you have it chromed. It would be, as they say, "unique".
...
You should glue in a magnet where the badge used to be and use that to customize the badge. Anytime you find something you want to put there, you can just glue a magnet to it and stick it on the front!
I think this is the way I'll go. :) I was trying to think of a way to swap badges with relative ease and magnets hadn't yet crossed my mind. Perfect! Sure, vandals could also steal the custom badge with ease, but the way I'd make these would be cheap and simple to recreate should one disappear.
I'll take a pic tomorrow with a Happy Mac mockup.
Ooh! It's just the right shape for a Happy Mac. :D
+2
The shape looks a bit too tall though.
:)
Fat Nano?
http://crunchgear.com/wp-content/uploads/fatipodnanoforlawyers.jpg
I say you epoxy a Mercedes emblem to it. Go upscale, you deserve a treat!
...
:lol:
Why stop there? The Rolls-Royce logo is also a upright rectangle, if you know what I mean. :cool:
There's a Geo in my apartment complex that has "TOYOTA" badges in addition to the Geo ones. And they're way larger than any real Toyota badges, and in weird places, like lying along the top of the bumper. I'm like, boy, they sure pulled a fast one on me! :p
Looks like I misjudged the size a little bit, but that's why they call it a prototype, right?
http://i46.tinypic.com/300bspk.jpg
dmegatool
2010-02-15, 09:57
Me want this car ! :p
Yes. That will do nicely. ;)
clown nose ftw.
http://i48.tinypic.com/28gs8d5.jpg
curiousuburb
2010-02-15, 12:24
clown nose ftw.
http://i48.tinypic.com/28gs8d5.jpg
Bonus, if the horn stops working you can say it's a mime.
"It now says cook where it once said COCK, pass where it once said PISS and BABTRIDGE instead of Partridge."
clown nose ftw.
http://i48.tinypic.com/28gs8d5.jpg
"I'm a little fucked up maybe, but I'm funny how? I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to fuckin' amuse you?"
"I'm a little fucked up maybe, but I'm funny how? I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to fuckin' amuse you?"
Make this your horn, and you'll win the intarwebs.
I had someone steal a Porsche emblem on the back of my car a long time ago. I went out there and asked what he was doing to. Probably a good idea I didn't beat him up since he used a large razor/knife to rip it off. left all kinds of scratches and had to have the back repainted.
Grrr... thieves suck.
I had someone steal a Porsche emblem on the back of my car a long time ago. I went out there and asked what he was doing to. Probably a good idea I didn't beat him up since he used a large razor/knife to rip it off. left all kinds of scratches and had to have the back repainted.
Grrr... thieves suck.
:eek:
That's awful.
But I guess on the bright side, all he took was the emblem. It could have been worse, y'know. A drunk driver could have smashed into it on your first day in the neighborhood and then sped off. :\
zsummers
2010-02-15, 19:48
:eek:
That's awful.
But I guess on the bright side, all he took was the emblem. It could have been worse, y'know. A drunk driver could have smashed into it on your first day in the neighborhood and then sped off. :\
Or instead of a Porsche emblem, it could've been a 10 year-old Saturn emblem. ;)
Or in my case, a Trek bike emblem...
Love,
Car-less in L.A.
Or instead of a Porsche emblem, it could've been a 10 year-old Saturn emblem. ;)
Seriously! At least Porsche is still in business. My baby is a collectable now!
Possible, but unlikely. See that little bit of red plastic in the middle? I did a little research on replacements and apparently there are two holes and the emblem has two plastic feet that go into the holes to help hold it in. The red piece that's left there shows sure signs of breakage, see?
...
I don't think plastic just "falls off" with uneven, sharp edges like that.
So, after fifteen minutes of contorting my arms between the engine and front bumper and twisting with pliers... and I've confirmed that this must have been vandalism.
http://i46.tinypic.com/34nksaf.jpg
That's the center peg that was still sticking through and that was holding the emblem to the bumper. This plastic isn't very brittle; so, the jerkwads must have pried the thing really hard to break it off. At least I can take solace in knowing that they didn't get away with the whole emblem as a souvenir or something.
Now that the guidance holes are clear, I'm starting work on the replacement emblem! :)
I slow-printed Happy Mac on photo paper, superglued the print to high impact polystyrene, and coated it once with a matte acrylic sealer and then once with a gloss acrylic sealer for weathering protection.
http://i47.tinypic.com/1zz5mpl.jpg
Modeling cement bonds the plastic pieces together and superglue holds the bolt in place, reinforced with a little dab of hot glue around the edges.
http://i45.tinypic.com/20gfdxg.jpg
And it's a near-perfect fit! Not bad for a first try.
http://i50.tinypic.com/2z8s3vd.jpg
The black in the emblem seems a lot lighter in the photos than it does in Real Life™ for some reason, but otherwise I think it looks great!
Lemons → Lemonade.
Quagmire
2010-02-21, 18:50
So once the car dies, are you going to change the emblem to the sad Mac?
http://sad-mac.co.uk/images/sad-mac.gif
:p
dmegatool
2010-02-21, 19:26
Nice work Brad ! It's really awesome. I would totally steal that one :p
curiousuburb
2010-02-21, 19:38
Sweet!
I slow-printed Happy Mac on photo paper, superglued the print to high impact polystyrene, and coated it once with a matte acrylic sealer and then once with a gloss acrylic sealer for weathering protection.
Scott Forstall approves.
http://imgur.com/I0YYY.jpg
That is awesome. Brad is the coolest :)
The rest of you are on notice. Those little white Apple logo stickers won't cut it any more. The bar has been raised.
billybobsky
2010-02-22, 11:20
i am a little disturbed by the face within the face on the front of your car, Brad. but nice work!
oh... if the superglue gives on the bolt, try 5 minute epoxy next time...
alcimedes
2010-02-22, 11:45
That's great. Do you normally park in that spot by the way? Having owned two Saturns I always glance below for the oil drips. :D
And I to would totally want to steal that emblem now.
psmith2.0
2010-02-22, 12:34
That's the one downside of this, Brad. You've gone and made something 5x cooler (and more steal-worthy) than the original Saturn emblem! The first Mac geek that sees this is gonna want it. Hope you made a few. You know, for backups? Good luck with that! :D
oh... if the superglue gives on the bolt, try 5 minute epoxy next time...
Good point! I'll consider trying that on v2.0. I was fortunate to be able to make v1.0 using only leftover materials that I had at home, but I don't have any epoxy. $0 budget!
That's great. Do you normally park in that spot by the way? Having owned two Saturns I always glance below for the oil drips. :D
Fortunately, that's not my oil. I've checked! :D Since I live in an apartment complex, all of the parking spaces are already well-stained with oil drips.
And I to would totally want to steal that emblem now.That's the one downside of this, Brad. You've gone and made something 5x cooler (and more steal-worthy) than the original Saturn emblem! The first Mac geek that sees this is gonna want it. Hope you made a few. You know, for backups? Good luck with that! :D
:lol: True. Making it was a little slow the first time as I was thinking through adhesion, the guidance peg, etc., and I did only make one, but I could easily crank another out on a lazy afternoon if someone yanks it.
Have you considered covering it with a transparent resin to avoid further theft?
alcimedes
2010-02-22, 13:24
Have you considered covering it with a transparent resin to avoid further theft?
We used that stuff at an old job of mine to try and preserve leaf/plant samples for viewing, and found it was kind of tough to get it to work without leaving a bunch of bubbles in the solution. That looks pretty decent, I'd worry the resin would either cause the paint to bleed into it or end up making it harder to see.
We used that stuff at an old job of mine to try and preserve leaf/plant samples for viewing, and found it was kind of tough to get it to work without leaving a bunch of bubbles in the solution. That looks pretty decent, I'd worry the resin would either cause the paint to bleed into it or end up making it harder to see.
Yes, you would need to do a test somewhere on the car's paint where it wouldn't be noticed. I was thinking about applying it with a brush one thin layer at a time in order to avoid bubbles.
Looks like today was a perfect test for my weatherproofing. Raleigh was smack-dab in the middle of a rainstorm system and the downpour was briefly heavy at times.
http://i49.tinypic.com/2en1c9e.jpg
I was elated to see when I walked to my car this evening that my Happy Mac was still happy.
http://i49.tinypic.com/v7rzr.jpg
The good news? Happy Mac lives to see another day! The bad news? It looks like my sealer didn't completely cover the bottom edge, as you can see some of the black Sharpie ink (that I used on the edge of the plastic) starting to seep upwards into the image.
Still, not bad for a first attempt! :) I'm satisfied.
curiousuburb
2010-02-22, 20:22
Maybe you can get a temperature or humidity sensitive ink so it changes from Happy to Sad Mac depending on weather. :p
Or you could splurge and go for OLED and have custom icon control from inside. :devil:
billybobsky
2010-02-22, 22:21
As for sharpie bleeding -- there are industrial strength sharpies that are water resistant.
Though I would be inclined to seal the edges with a black lacquer/acrylic...
This has to be my favorite DIY project I have seen for a while.
RowdyScot
2010-02-22, 23:38
Or you could splurge and go for OLED and have custom icon control from inside. :devil:
...THIS! :D
drewprops
2010-02-22, 23:46
Nice work.
Very impressed.
Time to go cottage, if you asked me.
...
That really is good work Brad! I love it. Most will never notice the bleeding you can see in the pic, maybe pull it and reseal?
OLED is just cool.
Oh, you might want to add this recent pic to the PCT in CE. I actually really like the image too. :)
zsummers
2010-02-23, 20:02
So. Cool.
Next, replace your sideview mirrors with iMac G4 display arms and screens hooked to rear-facing cameras.
That is totally awesome, Brad. Really well done. :)
...and I did only make one, but I could easily crank another out on a lazy afternoon if someone yanks it.
This line could fit more than one conversation. :lol:
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