[Inserts] Chrome or reflective vinyl?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
[Inserts] Chrome or reflective vinyl?
I'm wondering what kind of inserts to get for my new vette. The rims are chrome, so I'm leaning toward chrome (raised) inserts.
On the other hand, I had reflective vinyl inserts on my camaro, and even though they're vinyl, the quality is excellent (they've lasted 4 years - pics below). The reflective character really makes it stand out. Plus, they're about 1/4th the price of the chrome inserts. What are your thoughts and opinions.
On the other hand, I had reflective vinyl inserts on my camaro, and even though they're vinyl, the quality is excellent (they've lasted 4 years - pics below). The reflective character really makes it stand out. Plus, they're about 1/4th the price of the chrome inserts. What are your thoughts and opinions.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: Torrance CA
I had the vinyl inserts on for a while they looked ok from far away. but then you got close and they didnt have that nice depth to them. then when they fell off I decided to go out and but some stainles steel ones. I love the new look it gave my car. It looks a million times better than the vinyl ones. Good Luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I had the vinyl inserts on for a while they looked ok from far away. but then you got close and they didnt have that nice depth to them. then when they fell off I decided to go out and but some stainles steel ones. I love the new look it gave my car. It looks a million times better than the vinyl ones. Good Luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 876
Likes: 1
From: Bar Mills Maine
I think the stuff your talking about my be the "chromed-look" vinyl.. not reflective (as in safety stuff usd by the DOT), THAT vinyl is really "mylar", the stuff they make balloons from, with age it'll whiten and look like crap... I own a sign shop & have the stuff on a roll... we just use it for interior stuff. Hope this helps.
Last edited by artfahie; Mar 24, 2007 at 12:03 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
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I just switched from the brakelight red raised inserts as sold by MidAmerica or Ecklers to the SS Inserts. I think the SS Inserts are more classy and in my case go better with the rest of my car. 
Former Vendor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 560
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From: Phoenix AZ
The SS inserts are awesome. I plan to switch out my black inserts for the SS's
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
Not a fan of the red contrast - personal preference.
It does have reflective components; whether or not it is the same stuff as the DOT, I do not know.
Per my vinyl guy's site:
He has a vinyl cutting machine and his inserts are spot on (see camaro pics). If I went with chrome, it would be the raised inserts; otherwise I would choose one of the above colors - probably reflective black. Plus, it's a hobby for him, so the prices are basically cost of material and shipping. 
If I do go with the raised Chrome (SS), where is the best place to get them? I've looked at This Thread which lists the following sellers:
I think the stuff your talking about my be the "chromed-look" vinyl.. not reflective (as in safety stuff usd by the DOT), THAT vinyl is really "mylar", the stuff they make balloons from, with age it'll whiten and look like crap... I own a sign shop & have the stuff on a roll... we just use it for interior stuff. Hope this helps.
Per my vinyl guy's site:
Originally Posted by Vinyl Guy
First off, a little about the vinyl and colors.
Everything on this page which is ordered in a "standard" color will be of the very high grade high performance vinyl. This vinyl has an exterior life of 7 to 10 YEARS. Many places that sell these overlays and inserts don't even offer this vinyl because of its higher cost.
STANDARD COLORS
Black, White, Red, Cardinal Red, Silver, Gray, Yellow, Orange, Hugger , Orange, Chrome, Blue
REFLECTIVE & METALLICS & SPECIALTY VINYL
I don't stock as much reflective, metallic, or specialty type vinyls as I do the regular colors. However, that doesn't mean that if you really want something in metallic or a reflective color I don't have that I won't make it for you. It'll be a little more expensive and if it isn't a really off the wall color, email me and I'll consider ordering a roll of it. It takes only a day for me to get the vinyl so if we do work something out, your order won't be delayed that much.
I now have in stock the following Engineering Grade 7 YEAR reflective vinyl! This vinyl is considerably more expensive than even the ultra high quality vinyl listed above which is the reason for the higher pricing you'll see listed below.
Reflective Light Silver, Reflective Black, Reflective Red, Reflective Yellow, Reflective Blue, Reflective Orange
Here are the Specialty and Metallic Vinyls that I have in stock. Pricing for these types of vinyl will be the same as my reflective vinyl pricing.
Black/Gray Carbon Fiber, White Carbon Fiber, Metallic Purple, Metallic Silver (small amount of metallic flake), Extreme Metallic Silver (lots of metallic flake!), Metallic Black (only a small amount of metallic flake), Metallic Blue (close to navy blue metallic), Pewter (Matches F-Body Pewter), Metallic Charcoal, Graphite Metallic (dark color between charcoal and black), Metallic Gold (only a small amount of metallic flake), Brushed Aluminum (looks like the real thing!), White Pearlescent (looks like... pearls!
)
Everything on this page which is ordered in a "standard" color will be of the very high grade high performance vinyl. This vinyl has an exterior life of 7 to 10 YEARS. Many places that sell these overlays and inserts don't even offer this vinyl because of its higher cost.
STANDARD COLORS
Black, White, Red, Cardinal Red, Silver, Gray, Yellow, Orange, Hugger , Orange, Chrome, Blue
REFLECTIVE & METALLICS & SPECIALTY VINYL
I don't stock as much reflective, metallic, or specialty type vinyls as I do the regular colors. However, that doesn't mean that if you really want something in metallic or a reflective color I don't have that I won't make it for you. It'll be a little more expensive and if it isn't a really off the wall color, email me and I'll consider ordering a roll of it. It takes only a day for me to get the vinyl so if we do work something out, your order won't be delayed that much.
I now have in stock the following Engineering Grade 7 YEAR reflective vinyl! This vinyl is considerably more expensive than even the ultra high quality vinyl listed above which is the reason for the higher pricing you'll see listed below.
Reflective Light Silver, Reflective Black, Reflective Red, Reflective Yellow, Reflective Blue, Reflective Orange
Here are the Specialty and Metallic Vinyls that I have in stock. Pricing for these types of vinyl will be the same as my reflective vinyl pricing.
Black/Gray Carbon Fiber, White Carbon Fiber, Metallic Purple, Metallic Silver (small amount of metallic flake), Extreme Metallic Silver (lots of metallic flake!), Metallic Black (only a small amount of metallic flake), Metallic Blue (close to navy blue metallic), Pewter (Matches F-Body Pewter), Metallic Charcoal, Graphite Metallic (dark color between charcoal and black), Metallic Gold (only a small amount of metallic flake), Brushed Aluminum (looks like the real thing!), White Pearlescent (looks like... pearls!
)If I do go with the raised Chrome (SS), where is the best place to get them? I've looked at This Thread which lists the following sellers:
Originally Posted by That Thread
ssinserts.com - $63.95 front or rear; $127.90 both
Mid-America - $29.99 front or rear polyurethane chrome
WCC - $69.95 front or rear
COH - $59.95 front or rear
ebay - various prices
customcorvetteaccessories.com - $69 for rear; don't see front
Mid-America - $29.99 front or rear polyurethane chrome
WCC - $69.95 front or rear
COH - $59.95 front or rear
ebay - various prices
customcorvetteaccessories.com - $69 for rear; don't see front
Last edited by MeefZ06; Mar 24, 2007 at 02:03 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
SS Inserts is a Supporting Forum Vendor - and they are great folks with which to deal! Here's a link so that you could purchase directly from their site....
http://www.ssinserts.com/
Here are a couple of pics from their site, too.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
The chrome is really polished stainless steel. And it is not raised - it fits flush with the surface, and fits perfectly within the embossed letters.
SS Inserts is a Supporting Forum Vendor - and they are great folks with which to deal! Here's a link so that you could purchase directly from their site....
http://www.ssinserts.com/
Here are a couple of pics from their site, too.
SS Inserts is a Supporting Forum Vendor - and they are great folks with which to deal! Here's a link so that you could purchase directly from their site....
http://www.ssinserts.com/
Here are a couple of pics from their site, too.
I used to have some RKsport Camaro letters on my old Z, and they were pretty nice, just dang expensive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis In
I got these & love them. http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.4897
No snagging a wash cloth on them, no cutting your finger when wiping off wax, never a water spot that shows on the chrome & 3D........
This is the only pic I got....sorry
No snagging a wash cloth on them, no cutting your finger when wiping off wax, never a water spot that shows on the chrome & 3D........
This is the only pic I got....sorry
