Took a 71 hood trim to a replating shop a while back. When I got it back I wasnt happy with it but what's done is done. Curious what you guys think about it and whether or not you would still use it. The replating of it looks good. They over did it with the prep. There are no longer any of the sharp edges that should be there. It is especially evident on the ends where it is completely smooth where there should be that leading edge lip where the paint would end. See the pics and tell me what you think. Does anyone one no of a shop that will replate pot medal parts like this safely? IMG_3319 by azstage1 posted Aug 21, 2017 at 9:39 PM IMG_3318 by azstage1 posted Aug 21, 2017 at 9:39 PM IMG_3317 by azstage1 posted Aug 21, 2017 at 9:39 PM IMG_3316 by azstage1 posted Aug 21, 2017 at 9:39 PM IMG_3315 by azstage1 posted Aug 21, 2017 at 9:39 PM IMG_3314 by azstage1 posted Aug 21, 2017 at 9:39 PM IMG_3313 by azstage1 posted Aug 21, 2017 at 9:39 PM
Yeah, they really messed it up on you. Once you paint it, the edge created with the paint may hide the fact that the molded edge is missing. Would I use it? I guess it depends on how nice the car is and want it looked like after it was painted. NOS is the way to go with those parts. Even with headlight bezels, all the rechromed ones Ive seen have soft edges afterwards
Pot metal is soft, and it succumbs to the wheel and rouge with a novice "at the wheel" Same thing can happen to sheet metal while stripping paint if you don't stay away from the edges, you lose a lot of definition. That's the very reason I re-used a lot of my original pieces, emblems, bezels, and moldings, even tho the chrome wasn't perfect. The detail was still there. Your molding looks nice, and as buick 64203 said, after the body color is sprayed on it, you may not notice the lack of edges.
Custom Metal Finishing in Cambridge City Indiana is able to rechrome a 71 hood grille and headlight bezels with great results. Also, I have a NOS 71 hood nose for sale. http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?posts/2703568/ Troy
The pictures above are completely unacceptable IMHO. Thanks for the tip Troy. Assuming you're still with the General, please stop and see me next time you're in 500. I'm on days. Usually with the 9x on the northside. Just ask any mechanic and they'll point me out. I really would like to at least meet you.
Hey Chris, I had to vote YAY just because its fresh chrome, and then really hafta agree with Jason. The problem is just with pot metal or the guy on the wheel; a lot of times technique comes into play. Everyone thinks de-chroming is the opposite of chroming but its really not. I've had first hand friendships with two rather large chrome platers in Chicago, and mostly the initial strpping is done with various sizes of belt sanders. That really kills any edge definition, and in more than one case for me ruined some lights and pump badging (on/0ff switches etc) for my boat. Not only was the definition gone but one piece got so hot that it warped and was un-usable. In 1985 dollars, I did a $10K rechrome on my boat and I swear the polisher was gnawing on an italian beef sandwich while doing the polishing. 90% of it had failed within 5 years. Looking at that trim piece, was the pitting pretty severe? Some shops will try to blend it out for a re-chrome instead of doing a ton of dremel work for a fill and RESTORE. BIG DIFFERENCE. I hope the guy didnt kill you with $$$ on that one. For a "better than a driver", I'd look into an OEM NOS part. JMHO... ws
