based on most recommendations here on the board I decided on C.V. Vacuum Platers Inc. out of BC Canada http://www.cvvacuumplaters.com/ A little more expensive - $560 total for all 4 pieces. That includes a $20 repair on the steering column cover where one of the screw holes was cracked. Nice people to deal with, very helpful when ever you call to get the status on your parts. It took a about a month, they had to do the steering colum cover twice as they were not happy with the results the first time. Overall, a very smooth transaction. Here is a before and after (now all I need to do is make time to do the switch as this was a second dash given to me by a board member so my car wouldn't be apart while waiting for the parts back) I plan on all new lights, polish my lenses, and make sure all gauges work (last owner must have disconnected oil pressure and temp when they added the triple gauge set under the dash... at least I hope that's what it is) Need to round up new headlight and wiper switches too. Will probably go with yearone pieces. Oh the list never ends...:shock: I have new wood grain to go in the dash and radio already My car has a CD player which will be moved to the glove box, and I have a very nice restored AM radio to go in the original hole Wish me luck!
That is very nice indeed and I think the price is in line with the quality. Makes me want to pull mine apart and have it done.
I don't know if I would install all of that in the car yet. I mean, I would set all of it on the coffee table or hang them on the wall and admire them for a while.
Man, that looks great :TU: . Do you know if they can repair plastic too, like if somebody damage where the radio goes and stuff like that?
I think they can repair just about anything plastic. The hard part about fixing the radio bezel is its usually cut out and they would have to know what the proper shape of the holes is supposed to look like. They were able to repair the corner of my column cover because half the screw hole was still there so they were able to "make up" the rest. Here is what I sent The cost to repair that was $20, I think it goes by how long it takes them and they called and quoted me before they started any of the work. If your radio bezel is cut out to fit a modern radio, you are better off finding an old thats not cut up. The labor of fixing a cut one would be way more than finding one on eBay for $20. Condition doesnt matter cause it would be rechromed anyway
WOW! I've been thinking about the next place to spend money on my '70 and based on your pictures, this might be it. How hard is it to get everything removed? I can usually figure out how to take things apart, but are there any secrets that I need to know so I don't break something?
I couldn't tell you....yet.... I haven't removed mine. I bought an extra on eBay so I wouldn't have as much down time while it was being re-chromed. The one I bought turned out to be worse than the one I had (holes and cracks) so a board member here gave me an extra that he had. I had an extra radio bezel too because the one that's in the car is cut for a modern radio. the column cover is mine, you cant even notice its not there, and the conv top switch is mine as they are pretty rare. My plan of attack, is to disconnect everything and label the wires well, there cant be that many. I did pull mine to replace the speedo cable so I know there is play room to pull it out once you let that cable go. I think the hardest part of mine is I have to replace the AC/heater controls. I have no idea in whats involved in that, or how to disconnect and connect vacuum lines if there are any. Im sure I'll learn.
They did, what you see is exactly how I received them today. I think they have a cheaper price if you wanted to do the black yourself.
shoot I just put the parts away in the garage so its difficult to take another picture... but the same black on the on the column cover is on the dash cluster. Its a semi gloss, it does have a little shine, but not much.
It small detail items like that which makes all the diffference . Spending that money makes a big difference from just painting those areas silver and no comparison in looks .
It will make a huge difference.... its really the only part of the car im embarrased about. And the dash in the car now, was "restored" by a previous owner. They painted the silver with one of those silver craft pens.. you can see the "tip lines", and it looks horrible. That and the fast the mounts for the AC/Heater controls are broken so the controls just flop around. You have to hold them with one hand and adjust with the other.
Very Very Nice. Too bad their prices have went up 50% in the last year or so. Off topic question is that a U coat it floor you have ? DL
Man I know.. I have been meaning to send these pieces off for over a year, and was very surprised at the price increase by the time I actually sent them :rant: My garage floor has an epoxy coating, but its not U-coat. Its what you buy at lowes or home depot, $60 a kit, and I used 2 kits. I priced U-coat but it was almost $300 The Lowes stuff is great, you can wipe up anything with no stains left behind.