Should I touch up the chrome?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Should I touch up the chrome?
Some of the original parts that have chrome on them don't look so new anymore. The hinge from the gas tank cover, the top corners on the windshield, the ebrake handle....among other small things have the chrome finish chipping and you see a bunch of small black dots and uneven surface left from those spots chipping.
Is there any proven way to fix it up without buying a whole new part or re-chroming? How does chrome paint work?
Considering these are original parts in a pretty original car overall, should I even touch those or will it be looked down upon by our NCRS members? I have no plans on getting the car judged but you never know what the future holds.
Thanks
Is there any proven way to fix it up without buying a whole new part or re-chroming? How does chrome paint work?
Considering these are original parts in a pretty original car overall, should I even touch those or will it be looked down upon by our NCRS members? I have no plans on getting the car judged but you never know what the future holds.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
There is really no way to improve the appearance of pitted chrome other than rechroming or replacing the part. Your first course of action should be to polish what you have to look as good as it can. If that isn't good enough, your next best option would be to replace them. Rechroming is very expensive and is usually only done [these days] so that the owner can keep 'original' parts on the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 850
Likes: 12
From: Shakopee MN
As EasyMike said, it doesn't. I bought some "chrome" paint-in-a-can, looked nothing like chrome when I sprayed it on my front egg crates as a stop gap measure until I get them fully chromed. It almost looked worse after the "chrome" paint was applied.
Patina and be done with it
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,982
Likes: 6,209
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Some of the original parts that have chrome on them don't look so new anymore. The hinge from the gas tank cover, the top corners on the windshield, the ebrake handle....among other small things have the chrome finish chipping and you see a bunch of small black dots and uneven surface left from those spots chipping.
Is there any proven way to fix it up without buying a whole new part or re-chroming? How does chrome paint work?
Considering these are original parts in a pretty original car overall, should I even touch those or will it be looked down upon by our NCRS members? I have no plans on getting the car judged but you never know what the future holds.
Thanks
Is there any proven way to fix it up without buying a whole new part or re-chroming? How does chrome paint work?
Considering these are original parts in a pretty original car overall, should I even touch those or will it be looked down upon by our NCRS members? I have no plans on getting the car judged but you never know what the future holds.
Thanks
From Corvette Central:
-gas lid bezel assy and hinge- $56
-windshield corner molding- $109
-emergency brake handle- $80
You are talking about approx $250 in repro parts that will make these problem areas look new. You are working on a '70 350 hp Corvette, not an '80 Camaro, so please don't consider chrome paint as a viable option for anything.
If you are concerned about the eventual total originality, you can keep the old parts (not the ebrake) and consider rechroming down the road. Or, keep them in mind when perusing swap meets and you may find a nice original part some day. In the meantime if the cosmetics on your car bother you, buy the parts you need.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I have similar issues with my car. After trying the various polishes, creams and paints, I finally ended up buying replacement parts. I should have done that from the start and saved a lot of time in getting to the end result.
The chrome paint doesnt work. I think its silver paint with a chrome top on it.
kdf
The chrome paint doesnt work. I think its silver paint with a chrome top on it.
kdf
