C3-JB

Hello all,

I wonder if anyone knows which coating is used to finish parts like those in the attached photo's. Of course lots of parts on the car are treated with this coating, and I want to restore them. Some just need polishing and refinishing, whilst others will need recoating. The part in the pictures is the T Top guides.

Whilst I'm at it, what is the best way to finish these parts? Will some polishing compound remove the scratches and scuffs?

Many thanks, the pictures are below;

http://imgur.com/vUiXcF7
http://imgur.com/1tqj9qN

AirborneSilva

If I'm not mistaken it's chrome plated.

7T1vette

Chrome plated. (probably copper, nickel, then chrome plated in the actual production process)

Alan 71

Hi JB,
I agree that the roof panel parts are chrome plated as 7T1 described.
The platers that do bumpers and other larger prices will often do the smaller pieces like these too.
Regards,
Alan

pnewt

Chrome platers will do them but will normally wait until they have enough small pieces to make it worth their while. The EPA only allows companies to do the process so many times in a year.Company in Cincinnati area got caught doing them for cash to avoid the numbers and is now out of business. By the way Alan,I'd love to see any parts you picture here with dirt or even dust on them!!!!! Is your car in a museum? LOL

Alan 71

Hi p,
It's not a REAL car.
Keeping it as clean as it was when I finished it in about 2006 is becoming quite a lot of work.
Not really any dirt but dust.
I realize how odd that is to say about a car.
Here's one with some dirt and a bit of rust!
Regards,
Alan

C3-JB

Alan, guys, thanks for the answers.

I was rather hoping it was another coating! I'm actually in the UK, and chroming here is INCREDIBLY expensive. I've even heard of people in the UK sending their parts over to the USA to get chromed (figure out the cost of shipping all that chrome!?) and it still works out cheaper than getting it done in England.

I'm going to have to get the bumpers/big cosmetic pieces re-chromed, but I think these small pieces will finish nicely with a light polishing compound and some attention. They're not chipped, just a little tarnished.

Thanks again,

John.

pnewt

My son in law restored a 55 Imperial formerly owned by the Ball Glass family(Ball State founders too) and all the chrome needed redone and sent all of it to Mexico and it cost less than 1/3 of prices he got in the US. Shipping was reasonable and if you know anything about a 55 Imperial the bumpers take 2 people to lift them. pretty good workmanship when seen on return Maybe an option for you John Alan- thats more like it!! Thats usually the before shot when I find cars to re do!!!!

Alan 71

Hi pn,
That's my car.
Regards,
Alan