plastic chrome recommendations

[70Tom]

I need to get my armrest bases re-chromed. Looking for recommendations to who does a good job on this?

Alternatively, anyone ever used the "chrome in a can" method?

Thanks

 

[CanCritter]

aha.....this sites best kept secret,,,not shure if it was pete,graham or bill that told me this....just take base from one side and flip it over and put it on other door...bottom of base will be in good condition as opposed to worn top..cheap easy fix

 

[70Tom]

aha.....this sites best kept secret,,,not shure if it was pete,graham or bill that told me this....just take base from one side and flip it over and put it on other door...bottom of base will be in good condition as opposed to worn top..cheap easy fix

Haha. That's funny. Thanks for the tip.

Seeing as the interior is getting almost everything new (aside from the door panels, which are in good condition), I thought it might be a good idea to get them re-chromed.

 

[330dTA]

I've seen plastic chrome pieces done by a pro. Fooled me to think it was the real thing.

In spite of that, why would you pay for paint when you can buy excellent new repops for 50 USD a pair?

 

[70Tom]

I've seen plastic chrome pieces done by a pro. Fooled me to think it was the real thing.

In spite of that, why would you pay for paint when you can buy excellent new repops for 50 USD a pair?

Well, I thought they were more than they are. Plus I see ABC has the front and rear for $59 a pop. I guess this is probably the more economical way to go.

I usually like using original parts when I can due to fit and finish. But I guess the repops should be ok.

 

[300rag]

aha.....this sites best kept secret,,,not shure if it was pete,graham or bill that told me this....just take base from one side and flip it over and put it on other door...bottom of base will be in good condition as opposed to worn top..cheap easy fix

That's when you were looking over the 500.

 

[CanCritter]

was pete then...memories goin it seems

 

[Carmine]

aha.....this sites best kept secret,,,not shure if it was pete,graham or bill that told me this....just take base from one side and flip it over and put it on other door...bottom of base will be in good condition as opposed to worn top..cheap easy fix

Minor side note... A friend of mine's father (also an infrequent poster here) worked in the interior design studio. He intentionally designed those to be "unhanded" (works on either side). He told me his dad was quite proud of how long they remained in production... From the mid-60s until the last B-vans of 2003. Too bad he didn't get a royalty instead of a paycheck!

His father, now deceased, also designed the one-piece Cordoba rear trim panel (the part that looks like an airplane window) which was another great design.

 

[commando1]

There's some classic designs out there designed by an unsung hero.
The guy who designed the dome light lens you can even buy on Amazon now.

Some guy shaved off every last 1/10th of a cent in that lens.

 

[tbm3fan]

I know this guy as I ran across him back in 2009 when I saw an article about his shop in a magazine. Called him up to ask about it and he wasn't aware of the article. Dealt with a Falcon restoration. I wanted to get the dash in my F100 done correctly. Chrome with argent silver around the gauge clusters. All others were 100% chrome and incorrect. He did it and it was spectacular. I am always asked who did it. About $200.

Mopar Index

 

[shooter65]

I know this guy as I ran across him back in 2009 when I saw an article about his shop in a magazine. Called him up to ask about it and he wasn't aware of the article. Dealt with a Falcon restoration. I wanted to get the dash in my F100 done correctly. Chrome with argent silver around the gauge clusters. All others were 100% chrome and incorrect. He did it and it was spectacular. I am always asked who did it. About $200.

Mopar Index

Thanks for the great resource, I've been practicing with different methods but haven't been happy with the results due to either the finish or the durability. My local chrome shop, Paul's Chrome, quit doing plastic so I've been looking for another resource.

 

[rapidtrans]

Try Chrome Tech USA. In Wisconsin i believe.
They started out rechroming small model car parts.
I sent them my GTO's a/c vents to see if they could rechrome them.
Did a beautiful job. Now they are in the 1:1 car plastic chrome plating business.

 

[mopar_4life]

I know this guy as I ran across him back in 2009 when I saw an article about his shop in a magazine. Called him up to ask about it and he wasn't aware of the article. Dealt with a Falcon restoration. I wanted to get the dash in my F100 done correctly. Chrome with argent silver around the gauge clusters. All others were 100% chrome and incorrect. He did it and it was spectacular. I am always asked who did it. About $200.

Mopar Index

View attachment 105906 View attachment 105907 View attachment 105908 View attachment 105909

Thats fantastic. I was just talking with my father about redoing my gauges. I'll send the rings on my 65 to him!!!

 

[Big_John]

There's a few places that used to offer the vacuum metallizing (plastic chrome), but they've stopped. IMHO, I think they all sent it to the same shop and that shop is either out of business or not doing the small jobs anymore.

I'd just buy the repops. You won't be able to tell the difference when they are on the car and I think it will be cheaper. Watch Ebay for the best deal.

 

[MarPar]

for a do-it-yourself alternative, try this...

Bare-Metal® is Used for Detailing Model Cars, and Aircraft - Bare-Metal Foil Co.

I have heard it works very well, but I do not have any first hand knowledge. yet.

 

[Big_John]

for a do-it-yourself alternative, try this...

Bare-Metal® is Used for Detailing Model Cars, and Aircraft - Bare-Metal Foil Co.

I have heard it works very well, but I do not have any first hand knowledge. yet.

It's nice stuff, but you won't be able to do any compound curves.

 

[Polara_500]

I've heard some good things about www.gcartrim.com, haven't tried them yet though.

 

[Fast Eddie B]

I just use chrome paint. Works like a charm. Cheap.

 

[70Tom]

I just use chrome paint. Works like a charm. Cheap.

I was thinking of that. How does it look? Any particular brand?

 

[Fast Eddie B]

I picked up a can at Mac's Fords picking up parts one day. Can't remember what brand but it was called 'Bumper Paint' and clearly for automotive restoration. I can look later.

For $10? A lay down. It has really come in handy. More satin to semi gloss than screaming bright chrome. Not as flat as anodizing. Works great on small parts. Plastic parts. I even used it to 'fix' some tarnished chrome on a 65 GTO tail light bezel. Even along side the rest of the older chrome on the piece, you can't tell it is just slightly tarnished chrome.