Used chrome side pipe covers - options?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Used chrome side pipe covers - options?
Hey guys,
I picked up a set of chrome reproduction side pipe covers on ebay, and just wanted suggestions from the forum as to my options.
The covers have the chrome flaking in various spots, but are complete and have no bends or dents.
I really don't have much of a clue as to what my likely options are, but they were cheap so I grabbed them
I assume I can:
A) Re-chrome them,not sure of cost and understand they would be missing the "black" inserts in the fins (any ideas of cost?)
B) Brought back to an "aluminum finish" - any thoughts?
C) Turn them black. Best options here? Paint/powder coat/ceramic coating?
Thanks guys.
Aussie Mark
I picked up a set of chrome reproduction side pipe covers on ebay, and just wanted suggestions from the forum as to my options.
The covers have the chrome flaking in various spots, but are complete and have no bends or dents.
I really don't have much of a clue as to what my likely options are, but they were cheap so I grabbed them
I assume I can:
A) Re-chrome them,not sure of cost and understand they would be missing the "black" inserts in the fins (any ideas of cost?)
B) Brought back to an "aluminum finish" - any thoughts?
C) Turn them black. Best options here? Paint/powder coat/ceramic coating?
Thanks guys.
Aussie Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mark,
A. The cost of chrome replating is about the same as buying new shields. The color in the fins is a dark gray very similar to what's on 70-72 grills, and easy to duplicate.
B. The shields are a strange amalgum of aluminium and I don't think they can be 'buffed' at all.
C. The shields can be painted after dealing with the flakey chrome plating. That's what are on the covers I've posted pictures of.
Did you get the fiberglass insulators with your shields? You need them to mount the shields.
Regards,
Alan
A. The cost of chrome replating is about the same as buying new shields. The color in the fins is a dark gray very similar to what's on 70-72 grills, and easy to duplicate.
B. The shields are a strange amalgum of aluminium and I don't think they can be 'buffed' at all.
C. The shields can be painted after dealing with the flakey chrome plating. That's what are on the covers I've posted pictures of.
Did you get the fiberglass insulators with your shields? You need them to mount the shields.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Hi Mark,
A. The cost of chrome replating is about the same as buying new shields. The color in the fins is a dark gray very similar to what's on 70-72 grills, and easy to duplicate.
B. The shields are a strange amalgum of aluminium and I don't think they can be 'buffed' at all.
C. The shields can be painted after dealing with the flakey chrome plating. That's what are on the covers I've posted pictures of.
Did you get the fiberglass insulators with your shields? You need them to mount the shields.
Regards,
Alan
A. The cost of chrome replating is about the same as buying new shields. The color in the fins is a dark gray very similar to what's on 70-72 grills, and easy to duplicate.
B. The shields are a strange amalgum of aluminium and I don't think they can be 'buffed' at all.
C. The shields can be painted after dealing with the flakey chrome plating. That's what are on the covers I've posted pictures of.
Did you get the fiberglass insulators with your shields? You need them to mount the shields.
Regards,
Alan
Naturally the attraction with going "BLACK" is a result of seeing your cover - they look AWESOME!
No, I didnt get the fiberglass or mounting hardware. The pipes cost me $100 (and I got an extra "center" section), so at that sort of money I thought I'd take a risk. Heck, it cost me more than $100 to take the wife out for dinner
I had assumed rechroming would be an expensive process, and was unsure how the base aluminum would look.
If I go "BLACK", is there much advantage over paint/ceramic coating/powder coating?
Aussie Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mark,
Have you looked for the fiberglass insulators? They can be pretty pricey because people now know what they have and what people need.
I didn't investigate going beyond paint. Getting the surface smooth enough to powder coat may be a BIG job since you can only use high-temp filler.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Have you looked for the fiberglass insulators? They can be pretty pricey because people now know what they have and what people need.
I didn't investigate going beyond paint. Getting the surface smooth enough to powder coat may be a BIG job since you can only use high-temp filler.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Hi Mark,
Have you looked for the fiberglass insulators? They can be pretty pricey because people now know what they have and what people need.
I didn't investigate going beyond paint. Getting the surface smooth enough to powder coat may be a BIG job since you can only use high-temp filler.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Have you looked for the fiberglass insulators? They can be pretty pricey because people now know what they have and what people need.
I didn't investigate going beyond paint. Getting the surface smooth enough to powder coat may be a BIG job since you can only use high-temp filler.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
No I havent looked into the fiberglass insulators. Looks like they are in important, and somewhat structural - may have wasted $100 after all...
Aussie Mark
