Interior Chrome
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 406
Likes: 46
From: Lebanon OH
Interior Chrome
My C3 is showing its age. While the bezels and interior pieces are in good fucntional condition, the chrome trim has worn off in some areas, especially on the console and door handle assembly. I have done some research, and there are chrome foil products available for model cars. Unfortunately, these look to be somewhat a pain in the *** to use properly. I will try it if it's my only option, as buying interior parts for $40 or more makes little sense to me if the existing ones are funtional and only need a touch up. Before I begin this project, I just wanted to ask if anyone else has attempted the same thing. If so, how was it done and what did they use? Maybe the chrome foil won't work...that would be nice to know also. Is there a method for restoring the chrome, or is my only option purchasing replacement parts?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Ofallon MO
This worked perfect to restore the silver/chrome stripe around console and bezel on my 81.
http://www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/5977186?ref=gbase
http://www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/5977186?ref=gbase
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: SAN FRANCISCO CA
any good pics of that, big earl? just wondering cuz i already have silver paint pens but they don't come out "chromey" enough for many tasks IMO.... curious to see if this is any better. 
thanks for the tip!
thanks for the tip!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 6
Go to a hobby store ( a real one, not a chain ) and ask for Bare Metal Foil <-- click link
It's ultra thin sticky back aluminum that you would cut with an xacto blade, press on to the piece and then trim the excess off with the xacto.
I did my speedo gauge with it and it's impossible to tell it's not factory.
I (still) build model cars and use it all the time from chrome trim and highlights
like the chrome side trim on this one:
It's ultra thin sticky back aluminum that you would cut with an xacto blade, press on to the piece and then trim the excess off with the xacto.
I did my speedo gauge with it and it's impossible to tell it's not factory.
I (still) build model cars and use it all the time from chrome trim and highlights
like the chrome side trim on this one:
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The trim in the 78-82 models is plastic and is flash plated somewhat similar to the plating on plastic done for model cars. Since it is a plating, no paint is going to match it exactly, but you can get close. The paint pen idea and the bare metal foil idea as posted won't be the real thing, but will give good results.
I cannot recommend any of the "chrome" paints. None I've ever seen actually looked like chrome.
I cannot recommend any of the "chrome" paints. None I've ever seen actually looked like chrome.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Ofallon MO
Dammit. I just deleted those pics from photobucket yesterday.
I agree with the others in that it's not as chrome-y as what your hoping for. But for doing my little console stripe, it's perfect, since that stripe is really just a very metallic-y silver. But I don't think it would look right on the door handle release trim, since that is more of a traditional looking chrome finish.
I will try to get a pic uploaded today for you to see what im talking about
I agree with the others in that it's not as chrome-y as what your hoping for. But for doing my little console stripe, it's perfect, since that stripe is really just a very metallic-y silver. But I don't think it would look right on the door handle release trim, since that is more of a traditional looking chrome finish.
I will try to get a pic uploaded today for you to see what im talking about
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Ofallon MO
The whole line you see is from the pen. If you notch a groove into the tip of the pen with the lip on your console BEFORE you get the paint to the tip, you will have a perfect application. Hope this helps.
