Skip to Content
Badges
CycleKarts

Badges

Making a Bentley radiator shell badge

I took a look at radiator badges but at $400 for a reproduction, it's not something that I'm ever likely to buy

so after a bit of digging, I managed to find a 3D model for one. I actually think it might be a more modern version, but as the design has not changed much in 100 years, it will do fine.



Screenshot 2026-01-14 at 12.09.34 am

Whilst it isn't shown in the image above, there is also an insert with the Bentley B on it that is part of the model

I printed out a couple of different versions on my FDM printer but the quality just isn't there. (and I cannot be arsed to hand finish them - far too much work and a PITA for someone who should wear glasses but refuses to )

PXL_20260114_091116928
I've considered printing one with my resin printer and painting it, but then I remembered that a while back I bought an electric ladle and some pewter to make a badge for another project. A metal badge would definitely be better than a plastic one.

The process is essentially to make a silicone mold from an existing badge using castable silicone, then use it to cast a new badge in pewter. The silicone can grab really fine details and will not melt from the heat of the pewter.

I figure that I can resin print the master and then take a mold from that which I can then cast the pewter in. A bit of a protracted process, but then I'm in this for the journey as much as anything else.

For the centre I think i will cast a laser cut B in some clear resin and cast it in the centre. This technique works really well. I used the same process to make a horn push for the Speedster. I took a silicone mold of the original horn push and then cast a new one up setting a Porsche pin badge in the centre. As you can see the finish is just like glass.

IMG_9277.jpg


Of course I'm probably getting way ahead of myself, as there's plenty more things to be doing, but it keeps me out of trouble. 


Comments

Log in to leave a comment.