Instrument Cluster Surround
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 205
Likes: 3
From: West Vancouver BC Canada
Instrument Cluster Surround
All: Having successfully dismantled my '66 F250 CC instrument cluster, I now have the plastic "chromed" surround separated.
It is physically solid and could be refurbed, but it needs to be re-chromed.
I understand the original chroming was done by "vacuum metalizing" but so far have not found any company doing that type of work locally in Vancouver BC
So, I'm wondering if anyone has found a company doing vacuum metalizing restoration and has had a good experience with their restoration?
All ideas welcome. Jeff
PS: I did see a website for a coy called GCAR in Chattaroy, WA (near Spokane) and wonder if they any good?
It is physically solid and could be refurbed, but it needs to be re-chromed.
I understand the original chroming was done by "vacuum metalizing" but so far have not found any company doing that type of work locally in Vancouver BC
So, I'm wondering if anyone has found a company doing vacuum metalizing restoration and has had a good experience with their restoration?
All ideas welcome. Jeff
PS: I did see a website for a coy called GCAR in Chattaroy, WA (near Spokane) and wonder if they any good?
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 370
From: PHX AZ
All: Having successfully dismantled my '66 F250 CC instrument cluster, I now have the plastic "chromed" surround separated.
It is physically solid and could be refurbed, but it needs to be re-chromed.
I understand the original chroming was done by "vacuum metalizing" but so far have not found any company doing that type of work locally in Vancouver BC
So, I'm wondering if anyone has found a company doing vacuum metalizing restoration and has had a good experience with their restoration?
All ideas welcome. Jeff
PS: I did see a website for a coy called GCAR in Chattaroy, WA (near Spokane) and wonder if they any good?
It is physically solid and could be refurbed, but it needs to be re-chromed.
I understand the original chroming was done by "vacuum metalizing" but so far have not found any company doing that type of work locally in Vancouver BC
So, I'm wondering if anyone has found a company doing vacuum metalizing restoration and has had a good experience with their restoration?
All ideas welcome. Jeff
PS: I did see a website for a coy called GCAR in Chattaroy, WA (near Spokane) and wonder if they any good?
He did a really nice job. Uses a Urethane clear over so the chrome will not wipe off with strong detergents like the original.
I actually dropped them off at his house then picked them up when ready.
I just spoke to him a few weeks ago and he was very busy maybe up to "months" of a wait. I decided to just get a repop on next project instead of the wait.
Think he charged me 150.00 Each at the time including gauge bezels. Good guy works out of his home. Would without question use him again. R
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,936
Likes: 4,124
From: Angier, NC
Are you looking for show type chrome on this part?
Do a Google search for Spray Chrome, Jay Leno did a YouTube video on it, maybe someone by you does it?
Another option but not knowing the part if this will work or not is to have it "chrome wrapped".
They do cars, saw a gold chrome just today in person.
I am modifying stock front and rear bumpers on my 81 F100 flare side and will be looking into getting them wrapped but they are a little bigger than a gauge bezel.
Another option could be a paint you do if that will work for you. They say prep the part like you would for spray painting as that is what you are doing. It has to be sanded silky smooth!
You then lay down black paint so it is also silky smooth and wet looking when dry, like it looks when put on to heavy and it runs.
Now take the chrome paint you buy in the stores and paint over the black again silky smooth.
What you are doing is like they do for mirrors where they do the silver then the black and you see the mirror side.
Because you cant work from the back side like the glass / mirror you have to lay down the black first then the silver.
I have not tried this but you can also find this on YouTube.
Dave ----
Do a Google search for Spray Chrome, Jay Leno did a YouTube video on it, maybe someone by you does it?
Another option but not knowing the part if this will work or not is to have it "chrome wrapped".
They do cars, saw a gold chrome just today in person.
I am modifying stock front and rear bumpers on my 81 F100 flare side and will be looking into getting them wrapped but they are a little bigger than a gauge bezel.
Another option could be a paint you do if that will work for you. They say prep the part like you would for spray painting as that is what you are doing. It has to be sanded silky smooth!
You then lay down black paint so it is also silky smooth and wet looking when dry, like it looks when put on to heavy and it runs.
Now take the chrome paint you buy in the stores and paint over the black again silky smooth.
What you are doing is like they do for mirrors where they do the silver then the black and you see the mirror side.
Because you cant work from the back side like the glass / mirror you have to lay down the black first then the silver.
I have not tried this but you can also find this on YouTube.
Dave ----
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 46
From: Vancouver
CV Vacuum Platers of Mission BC did mine and it was excellent. They are gone. I learned from Chuck the proprietor that the plastic object must be pretty much perfect to allow a perfect result - even a fingernail scratch or minute crack will show through. Also, the mock engine-turned finish is easily filled by the "chrome" if the process is not done expertly .
I need one too and I figure I'll get a reproduction.
I need one too and I figure I'll get a reproduction.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 370
From: PHX AZ
Are you looking for show type chrome on this part?
Do a Google search for Spray Chrome, Jay Leno did a YouTube video on it, maybe someone by you does it?
Another option but not knowing the part if this will work or not is to have it "chrome wrapped".
They do cars, saw a gold chrome just today in person.
I am modifying stock front and rear bumpers on my 81 F100 flare side and will be looking into getting them wrapped but they are a little bigger than a gauge bezel.
Another option could be a paint you do if that will work for you. They say prep the part like you would for spray painting as that is what you are doing. It has to be sanded silky smooth!
You then lay down black paint so it is also silky smooth and wet looking when dry, like it looks when put on to heavy and it runs.
Now take the chrome paint you buy in the stores and paint over the black again silky smooth.
What you are doing is like they do for mirrors where they do the silver then the black and you see the mirror side.
Because you cant work from the back side like the glass / mirror you have to lay down the black first then the silver.
I have not tried this but you can also find this on YouTube.
Dave ----
Do a Google search for Spray Chrome, Jay Leno did a YouTube video on it, maybe someone by you does it?
Another option but not knowing the part if this will work or not is to have it "chrome wrapped".
They do cars, saw a gold chrome just today in person.
I am modifying stock front and rear bumpers on my 81 F100 flare side and will be looking into getting them wrapped but they are a little bigger than a gauge bezel.
Another option could be a paint you do if that will work for you. They say prep the part like you would for spray painting as that is what you are doing. It has to be sanded silky smooth!
You then lay down black paint so it is also silky smooth and wet looking when dry, like it looks when put on to heavy and it runs.
Now take the chrome paint you buy in the stores and paint over the black again silky smooth.
What you are doing is like they do for mirrors where they do the silver then the black and you see the mirror side.
Because you cant work from the back side like the glass / mirror you have to lay down the black first then the silver.
I have not tried this but you can also find this on YouTube.
Dave ----
It cost me more just to by the spray chrome than it cost to do a entire bezel. Probably 200 just in materials
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Logistics Pro
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FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,936
Likes: 4,124
From: Angier, NC
Are you looking for show type chrome on this part?
Do a Google search for Spray Chrome, Jay Leno did a YouTube video on it, maybe someone by you does it?
Another option but not knowing the part if this will work or not is to have it "chrome wrapped".
They do cars, saw a gold chrome just today in person.
I am modifying stock front and rear bumpers on my 81 F100 flare side and will be looking into getting them wrapped but they are a little bigger than a gauge bezel.
Another option could be a paint you do if that will work for you. They say prep the part like you would for spray painting as that is what you are doing. It has to be sanded silky smooth!
You then lay down black paint so it is also silky smooth and wet looking when dry, like it looks when put on to heavy and it runs.
Now take the chrome paint you buy in the stores and paint over the black again silky smooth.
What you are doing is like they do for mirrors where they do the silver then the black and you see the mirror side.
Because you cant work from the back side like the glass / mirror you have to lay down the black first then the silver.
I have not tried this but you can also find this on YouTube.
Dave ----
Do a Google search for Spray Chrome, Jay Leno did a YouTube video on it, maybe someone by you does it?
Another option but not knowing the part if this will work or not is to have it "chrome wrapped".
They do cars, saw a gold chrome just today in person.
I am modifying stock front and rear bumpers on my 81 F100 flare side and will be looking into getting them wrapped but they are a little bigger than a gauge bezel.
Another option could be a paint you do if that will work for you. They say prep the part like you would for spray painting as that is what you are doing. It has to be sanded silky smooth!
You then lay down black paint so it is also silky smooth and wet looking when dry, like it looks when put on to heavy and it runs.
Now take the chrome paint you buy in the stores and paint over the black again silky smooth.
What you are doing is like they do for mirrors where they do the silver then the black and you see the mirror side.
Because you cant work from the back side like the glass / mirror you have to lay down the black first then the silver.
I have not tried this but you can also find this on YouTube.
Dave ----
The Jay Leno spray chrome, I know the chemicals & equipment are $$$$$
The chrome wrap, what did a roll of it go for and what was the size?
Or the black & chrome rattle can spray paint? I don't think this because what can a can of spray paint be? Even at $10 ea that would be $20.
If that was too much I would say sell the truck because you will be spending a whole lot more fixing it than that.
What ever one you used do you have pictures of the parts?
Dave ----
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