I don’t know if the badges came with no blue.  Mine is early #512.  

Thanks for the quick reply, Ted.

And thanks for the introduction, Vic.

In regards to the badges, I suppose I was under the impression that only a certain era had the blue enamel. For some reason, I had it in my head that the badge from #1177 came from the factory polished like a big brass belt buckle or a head badge on an old pre-war bicycle. I'll do some more research and see if I can find any examples that show two (or more) different types of badges. But thank you for the advice on how to clean up what I have and to get the nice royal blue background. That would be sharp, too, so it's an option.

You mention the "Ensign" logos from the side of the coaming boards. Mine are missing, as they are from a lot of boats I see. Does anyone have a lead on replacements? Some folks in on the Cape Dory forums mentioned that Bristol Bronze has done some custom work in the past and I think in my research even saw a post where a member mentioned he had gotten these Ensign logos from them in the past but it'll probably take a call to them to see for sure.

Thanks, 

-ryan 

My two cents.  Believe the badges were (are) bronze unlike the coaming logos which were pot metal.  If you want to “restore”.  Wire brush the entire badge with a drill and a medium to fine wire wheel. Then sand letters & logo with 600 grit using a flat block.  Clean well with alcohol then spray paint with several coats a royal blue.  Once throughly dry and set put some 600 grit paper on a FLAT surface like a granite counter top and rub the badge against it till all the lettering is bright.  (the hull numbers will be blue)  Wipe with alcohol again to remove dust and clear coat with something like Krylon acrylic.  It should look like new!

I would like to introduce Ryan and his wife, Megan, as new members of Fleet 72 at Saratoga Lake. Ryan & Megan hold the honor of being the first Fleet72 member to start work on their boat this Spring, after an extended Winter and an unusually cold and wet first part of April.

Vic Roberts
#2032

-----Original Message-----
From: mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com> On Behalf Of Ensign Sailing Forum
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2018 11:06 AM
To: vic@victorroberts.com
Subject: [Ensign Sailing] Material and Cleanup Method for Pearson Badge <<$195258829109$>>




Hi all,

Spring cleaning is well underway for new-to-me Ensign #1177. Benches and trim were removed from the cockpit over the weekend so that the old and failing varnish could be stripped off in the workshop and the bare wood could be cleaned up and prepped for new Epifanes Wood Finish gloss and then matte finish varnish. The coamings will be done in place this year but will be removed sometime in the future since the topsides could use a good scraping and repainting.

In the process I have removed the Pearson badge from the aft piece of trim that is mounted below the tiller. The badge itself is looking every bit of its 60+ years in the weather. I'm torn between leaving the patina on or cleaning the badge up but if I do decide to clean it up I'd like to know what material is below all the corrosion.

Does anyone have any experience with cleaning up badges of this era? Any before and after photos? Here's what I'm working with:

Thanks in advance.

-ryan

Hi all,

Spring cleaning is well underway for new-to-me Ensign #1177. Benches and trim were removed from the cockpit over the weekend so that the old and failing varnish could be stripped off in the workshop and the bare wood could be cleaned up and prepped for new Epifanes Wood Finish gloss and then matte finish varnish. The coamings will be done in place this year but will be removed sometime in the future since the topsides could use a good scraping and repainting.

In the process I have removed the Pearson badge from the aft piece of trim that is mounted below the tiller. The badge itself is looking every bit of its 40+ years in the weather. I'm torn between leaving the patina on or cleaning the badge up but if I do decide to clean it up I'd like to know what material is below all the corrosion.

Does anyone have any experience with cleaning up badges of this era? Any before and after photos? Here's what I'm working with:



Thanks in advance.

-ryan