Does it ever end?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
Does it ever end?
Referring to how perfect should the chrome/stainless be?
The new winshield frame,a nd other stainless or chrome pieces i had refinished (polish and chrome on the stainless) is SO perfect, that other pieces I didn't have done (new or almost new factory stuff) doesn't look as good next to the new perfect stuff. We aren't talking about pits or dings, but just minor scuffs or slightly hazy areas or slight imperfections I wouldn't have noticed before.
I think I need to step back and decide if I want to get the undone stuff done also, as you can't even see the issue points unless you are only a foot away and you know they are there, or go looking for imperfections. Buta t some point, you ahve to balance $$ spent vs return.
The winshield frame, and door window frame and stainless looks so straight and perfect, it is indescribable, then i see a scuff on the tip of one of the fender top spears. (arggghhh).
The body/paint came out so straight nobody can believe it, several people who deal with Corvettes say they have never seen paint so flat.
Pictures will come shortly, i don't want to publish any photos untill the chrome and trim (and doors and hood etc) is all on.
Doug
The new winshield frame,a nd other stainless or chrome pieces i had refinished (polish and chrome on the stainless) is SO perfect, that other pieces I didn't have done (new or almost new factory stuff) doesn't look as good next to the new perfect stuff. We aren't talking about pits or dings, but just minor scuffs or slightly hazy areas or slight imperfections I wouldn't have noticed before.
I think I need to step back and decide if I want to get the undone stuff done also, as you can't even see the issue points unless you are only a foot away and you know they are there, or go looking for imperfections. Buta t some point, you ahve to balance $$ spent vs return.
The winshield frame, and door window frame and stainless looks so straight and perfect, it is indescribable, then i see a scuff on the tip of one of the fender top spears. (arggghhh).
The body/paint came out so straight nobody can believe it, several people who deal with Corvettes say they have never seen paint so flat.
Pictures will come shortly, i don't want to publish any photos untill the chrome and trim (and doors and hood etc) is all on.
Doug
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Question: Does it ever end?
Answer: Only when the money runs out.
That is the trap that a lot of us fall in when trying to improve a car. This is how a paint job becomes a body-off-frame restoration or resto-mod car.
My approach is that I'm too lazy to do things twice, so if I've removed a mediocre interior from a car before I get the car painted, why would I put a mediocre interior back in the car. everything that comes off or out gets restored, repainted, replated, replaced as necessary.
Unfortunately this approach also causes me to just shake my head in confusion when I go to the World of Wheels Autorama here in Houston each year, and see door handles with 40 year old chrome, installed on a 6 month old $20,000 paint job on a late 60s muscle car.
Answer: Only when the money runs out.
That is the trap that a lot of us fall in when trying to improve a car. This is how a paint job becomes a body-off-frame restoration or resto-mod car.
My approach is that I'm too lazy to do things twice, so if I've removed a mediocre interior from a car before I get the car painted, why would I put a mediocre interior back in the car. everything that comes off or out gets restored, repainted, replated, replaced as necessary.
Unfortunately this approach also causes me to just shake my head in confusion when I go to the World of Wheels Autorama here in Houston each year, and see door handles with 40 year old chrome, installed on a 6 month old $20,000 paint job on a late 60s muscle car.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 258
Likes: 7
From: Beaver Falls Pa
Doug,
My plater said this was a common problem. Often the rechroming is show quality and just looks too good against factory stuff. In addition, different plater's work will show up differently as well. When I picked up my stuff from my plater, a C2 owner had just dropped off his brand new bumper (came from one of the regular vette suppliers as I recall) so the plater could strip it of the new chrome and replate it. The reason was that the C2 owner said it "just didn't look the same".
Can't wait to see your new ride.
Rod
My plater said this was a common problem. Often the rechroming is show quality and just looks too good against factory stuff. In addition, different plater's work will show up differently as well. When I picked up my stuff from my plater, a C2 owner had just dropped off his brand new bumper (came from one of the regular vette suppliers as I recall) so the plater could strip it of the new chrome and replate it. The reason was that the C2 owner said it "just didn't look the same".
Can't wait to see your new ride.
Rod
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,934
Likes: 657
From: Norwalk ohio
2019 Corvette of the Year Winner
St. Jude Donor '15
Welcome to the black hole of "while I am at it" or " the other stuff looks so good in comparison"
Been there and done that......I came to the conclusion that I should just do it, I would never have to look back and regret......
Good luck with what ever you do......its just money and we do need to get the economy going
Been there and done that......I came to the conclusion that I should just do it, I would never have to look back and regret......
Good luck with what ever you do......its just money and we do need to get the economy going
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,679
Likes: 1
From: Pendleton IN
It's really kind of an amusing thing, this restoration stuff. When I was younger, a new paint job and having the rip in the driver's seat was all you needed.
Now....everything needs done or else it's picked apart to the high heavens.
On second thought....that's what keeps me in business.
Never mind
Now....everything needs done or else it's picked apart to the high heavens.
On second thought....that's what keeps me in business.
Never mind
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 163
From: OP Kansas
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Referring to how perfect should the chrome/stainless be?
The new winshield frame,a nd other stainless or chrome pieces i had refinished (polish and chrome on the stainless) is SO perfect, that other pieces I didn't have done (new or almost new factory stuff) doesn't look as good next to the new perfect stuff. We aren't talking about pits or dings, but just minor scuffs or slightly hazy areas or slight imperfections I wouldn't have noticed before.
I think I need to step back and decide if I want to get the undone stuff done also, as you can't even see the issue points unless you are only a foot away and you know they are there, or go looking for imperfections. Buta t some point, you ahve to balance $$ spent vs return.
The winshield frame, and door window frame and stainless looks so straight and perfect, it is indescribable, then i see a scuff on the tip of one of the fender top spears. (arggghhh).
The body/paint came out so straight nobody can believe it, several people who deal with Corvettes say they have never seen paint so flat.
Pictures will come shortly, i don't want to publish any photos untill the chrome and trim (and doors and hood etc) is all on.
Doug
The new winshield frame,a nd other stainless or chrome pieces i had refinished (polish and chrome on the stainless) is SO perfect, that other pieces I didn't have done (new or almost new factory stuff) doesn't look as good next to the new perfect stuff. We aren't talking about pits or dings, but just minor scuffs or slightly hazy areas or slight imperfections I wouldn't have noticed before.
I think I need to step back and decide if I want to get the undone stuff done also, as you can't even see the issue points unless you are only a foot away and you know they are there, or go looking for imperfections. Buta t some point, you ahve to balance $$ spent vs return.
The winshield frame, and door window frame and stainless looks so straight and perfect, it is indescribable, then i see a scuff on the tip of one of the fender top spears. (arggghhh).
The body/paint came out so straight nobody can believe it, several people who deal with Corvettes say they have never seen paint so flat.
Pictures will come shortly, i don't want to publish any photos untill the chrome and trim (and doors and hood etc) is all on.
Doug