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63 Dodge 330,440 tailight bezels. Re-chrome original Vs Reproduction

fbs63

fbs63

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Anyone had 63 Dodge original tailight bezels re-chromed? Wondering about the re-chrome cost vs buying new reproductions. I will be buying reproduction lenses. Also anyone used the reproductions on a car? How is the fit and quality?
 
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The "Re-Pops" are the cheaper way to go, vs re-chrome. I had a nice original set that I sent out, as I wanted to keep the car as stock as possible. Came back with a poor finish, and sent them back in summer. Still waiting for a response from the vendor...I have seen the re-pops, and they look pretty good, and cheaper than re-chroming. As far as fit, I may be able to let you know, as I may have to buy a set, if mine are never returned...
 
i have found that most places that rechrome will polish all the detail out of the part when stripping them. I have had many nice parts ruined. I used a combo of rechrome and repops on my 64 330. its a race car so keeping it original was not that important too me. it will be interesting to see how the repop stuff holds up after a few years.
 
I just had the 2 tail light panels rechromed for my 64 Polara by a vendor in Pennsylvania. They did a real nice job on them, but they weren't cheap. In the chroming business, 'You get what you pay for' is where that saying originated.

So 3 weeks ago I sent the same vendor the six tail light bezels to chrome along with some other parts. I'll let you know how they turned out when I get them back, but I had fairly decent bezels to start with and I didn't think that todays overseas reproductions could compare. Just my opinion....
 
I see that you are working with the 330-440 style bezels. What I had was the 63 Polara bezels rechromed at "Phil's Super Fine Shine in Chillicothe, Ohio. $900 and what I got back was real craftsmanship. Beautiful stuff. Talk about detailing, it was flawless.
 
Sixpaksteve said:
I just had the 2 tail light panels rechromed for my 64 Polara by a vendor in Pennsylvania. They did a real nice job on them, but they weren't cheap. In the chroming business, 'You get what you pay for' is where that saying originated.

So 3 weeks ago I sent the same vendor the six tail light bezels to chrome along with some other parts. I'll let you know how they turned out when I get them back, but I had fairly decent bezels to start with and I didn't think that todays overseas reproductions could compare. Just my opinion....
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I have good things about Pauls.
 
The parts on my 64 Plymouth were rechromed the day before repops were released. They're pretty good but not perfect. Cost me $500 6 years ago.
Doug

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Well, my chrome pieces showed up yesterday, after I sent them back in the summer for re-work, as they were pitted & blistering with the "new" chrome applied. Really disappointed with the workmanship, as they are still pitted & blistering ! There are areas on the pieces that need to be detailed by painting black, and they said to "fill" these spots before painting. I was under the assumption that the "fill" should be applied before the new chrome, so it results in a smooth finish. If anyone knows what to use on these pieces to fix them, I would appreciate any feedback. And by the way, the Chroming Company doing the work was "Advanced Plating", out of Nashville,TN. NOT on my recommendation list...
 
Hate to see that **** happen.We don't mind paying the top dollar if we get the perfect part back!:mad:
 
VANDAN said:
Really disappointed with the workmanship, as they are still pitted & blistering
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I suppose I 'really lucked out' on my 64 tail light housings. Had three sets, all badly pitted, cracked, or both. For the cost, repairing, or find others, I located some pull-offs in Arizona. Like new, not cheap, but got 'em anyway. Cost to repair ran the same $s.

Don't know if it's EPA related...but, my understanding is, after all the corrosion is removed, should be copper flashed. With that, the pits are filled in, shaped until smooth, final copper flash if needed. Then the chrome.
Though, admit, it takes a good hand to polish out the chrome, or it can get screwed up.
Had one vent window frame, repaired, re-chromed, and screwed up, by the polisher. He polished out all the detail edges on it! Luckily, I had a spare, and used it.
 
Chrome only electroplates to nickel, which electrplates to copper, which plates to steel or die cast parts. So, to rechrome a part that is damaged, all the old finishes need to be removed down to original base material. Some blast, or even grind the finish off. That’s where you lose detail on steel or die cast parts, in the stripping of the old finishes. On die cast, I believe the pits are ground out and silver soldered, then copper plated. The copper layer is sanded, polished, even plated and polished again as many times as required, until perfectly smooth, then nickel plated, then chrome. The copper layer is most critical for the end result. With bumpers, I’ve heard double nickel, triple chrome, for a good quality part. I’m no expert, but only going by what I have been told over the years.
 
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