🎨 Your badge ain’t just paint, it’s your damn fingerprint

🚦 The story: that time I screwed up... twice

Let me tell you about my first shot at custom painting my tank badge. I was cocky. Figured I’d watched enough YouTube, read enough forums, drank enough whiskey — I had it figured out. Well, let me tell you, whiskey and paint fumes don’t mix well when you’re laying down your identity on steel.

First pass? Looked like a toddler’s art project. Second pass? I made it worse trying to fix it. I finally had to strip it back to raw metal, sit my stubborn ass down, and actually learn how to do it right.

And that’s why you’re here. So you don’t end up with a badge that looks like a clown sneezed on your tank.

🛠️ Why paint your own badge? (and why most folks shouldn’t)

Let’s cut through the crap. Painting your own emblem is:

• Personal. Your badge ain’t just a logo — it’s your damn soul on two wheels.

• Cheap(er). If you do it right, you save some coin.

• Risky. Screw it up? You just trashed your tank’s face.

The badge is where eyes land first. It’s what fellow riders nod at when you roll into the lot. If it looks like trash, they’ll never hear your pipes — they'll be too busy cringing.

🎯 Prep work — 90% of your success (or failure)

This is where most amateurs get cocky and cut corners:

🧽 Degrease the hell outta it.
Use real degreaser, not your wife's dish soap. Oil, sweat, fingerprints — wipe 'em all off.

🧲 Sand it smooth.
Start with 400 grit, finish with 800. Get it baby-bottom smooth. Imperfections here haunt you later like your ex.

🛡️ Prime like your life depends on it.
Two light coats of automotive primer. Let it dry. Don’t rush it, cowboy.

🎨 Paint like a pro or walk away

Here’s where your hand steadiness and patience get tested:

• Use high-quality paint made for metal. No rattle-can dollar store garbage.

• Light mist coats, multiple passes. Let each layer flash before adding the next.

• Clear coat is your shield. At least 3-5 coats. Buff it later.

💡 Design tips for not embarrassing yourself

🔥 Keep it simple — you're not Da Vinci.
🔥 Contrasting colors pop best on chrome or polished tanks.
🔥 Mask tight. Clean edges make or break the design.
🔥 Use stencils if freehand ain't your thing — no shame in templates.

🚨 Common screw-ups (and how to avoid looking like a rookie)

• Thick coats = drips. Always.

• Cheap tape leaves residue and pulls paint.

• Humidity is your silent killer. Paint in dry conditions.

• Skipping dry time will bite you hard. Be patient, or be sorry.

🧨 Pro tip from your road-worn sensei 🏍️

If you ain’t sweating by the time you mask off your design, you’re not being careful enough. Sweat means you care. If you don’t care, just slap on a sticker and ride.

🏁 Ready to put your mark on steel?

If you’re still feelin’ brave after reading this, then you’ve got the spirit, kid. I respect it. Grab your gear, make your plan, and post a pic when you're done. Or if you chicken out halfway — hell, hit reply and I’ll roast you (lovingly) in the next newsletter. 😂

Ride Bold, Ride Stubborn,
Blake “Iron Sage” Rivers

P.S. If you’re one of those lunatics who has pulled off a killer custom badge job — send me pics. Best ones might just get featured. Worst ones? I might feature those too... for educational purposes. 😈