GM has a Mold Problem ?
05-16-2005, 06:47 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
GM has a Mold Problem ?
OK, so that's the reason I've been given, regarding the cease of
production for the upper windshield corner moldings. I'm told the molds
are getting old, so production is being stopped due to sub-standard parts. I dunno.
So, I ordered a RH side (only one I can find new), and when the part
arrived, I was less than thrilled. It had some small scratches (no biggy),
and right in the center area of the flat chrome, there were small raised
bumps in the chrome. I called the retailer (reputable place in CT), and
they checked three more parts in the warehouse. They all have the same
rough defect.
Has anyone else seen this on recently purchased corner moldings ?
I don't want to pay the restocking fee, only to buy the same defect
from another retailer.
Ebay prices are crazy, but I might resort to finding some real NOS parts.
production for the upper windshield corner moldings. I'm told the molds
are getting old, so production is being stopped due to sub-standard parts. I dunno.
So, I ordered a RH side (only one I can find new), and when the part
arrived, I was less than thrilled. It had some small scratches (no biggy),
and right in the center area of the flat chrome, there were small raised
bumps in the chrome. I called the retailer (reputable place in CT), and
they checked three more parts in the warehouse. They all have the same
rough defect.
Has anyone else seen this on recently purchased corner moldings ?
I don't want to pay the restocking fee, only to buy the same defect
from another retailer.
Ebay prices are crazy, but I might resort to finding some real NOS parts.
05-16-2005, 06:53 PM
#2
Drifting
Member Since: Oct 2003
Location: VetteMOD
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St. Jude Donor '05-'07
I just got the right side molding from Paragon and it looks good. It does not have the bumps. I ordered a left side and was told that they are reproducing this part and it will be available in July. I know what you are saying about Ebay, I saw a left side go for $200. I paid $43 each for the repros.
05-17-2005, 05:16 AM
#4
Hi Dave
Thanks for the confidence. I have not personally examined these chrome moldings since I stopped going to work regularly in 2001. However, they are/were a typical GM mass produced auto part, splashed with chrome. After 30 years of hot Zinc being shot under pressure into the molds, it does erode tool steel. Plus the quality control for parts sold over the counter progressively declines from any particular model year onward especially for decorative and trim items in chrome.
In 2 weeks we will be going to the Merrimack, NH Anheyser-Busch Corvette show to booze, smooze, tell lies and burn diesel. Bring the molding there and I’ll bring others for comparison. Otherwise its snail/ups. I’ve never been to this event, but it’s a great excuse to head to the White Mountains with the Security Staff. Life’s a beech, but somebody’s has to drive.
Geoffrey Coenen
PS Factually, the new domestic repro’s are not finished yet, but they are not a Paragon proprietary item. I’ll tell you this much, they will only be sold in pairs, so you won’t get stuck with an extra side. And they will also be more than a Ben Franklin. I suspect a cheaper foreign version will also arrive later. A stem whacker will still want the GM Part them in the GM box. They tend to congregate at ncrs.org That’s a different disease. I‘ve had it periodically myself, but it’s under control with medication.
http://216.149.148.95/bus-long.jpg
Thanks for the confidence. I have not personally examined these chrome moldings since I stopped going to work regularly in 2001. However, they are/were a typical GM mass produced auto part, splashed with chrome. After 30 years of hot Zinc being shot under pressure into the molds, it does erode tool steel. Plus the quality control for parts sold over the counter progressively declines from any particular model year onward especially for decorative and trim items in chrome.
In 2 weeks we will be going to the Merrimack, NH Anheyser-Busch Corvette show to booze, smooze, tell lies and burn diesel. Bring the molding there and I’ll bring others for comparison. Otherwise its snail/ups. I’ve never been to this event, but it’s a great excuse to head to the White Mountains with the Security Staff. Life’s a beech, but somebody’s has to drive.
Geoffrey Coenen
PS Factually, the new domestic repro’s are not finished yet, but they are not a Paragon proprietary item. I’ll tell you this much, they will only be sold in pairs, so you won’t get stuck with an extra side. And they will also be more than a Ben Franklin. I suspect a cheaper foreign version will also arrive later. A stem whacker will still want the GM Part them in the GM box. They tend to congregate at ncrs.org That’s a different disease. I‘ve had it periodically myself, but it’s under control with medication.
http://216.149.148.95/bus-long.jpg
