Armrest base restoration

[rjbsj]

I have a set of great condition arm rest bases for my 69 Coronet (other than peeling/flaking). Should I invest in new ones or is there a way to paint these to make them look good/chrome or am I just asking for trouble? Would be willing to try the paint and I can always replace if they don’t turn out good I guess. Thanks

 

[70gtx440dana]

Check with Vacuum Orna-Metal out of Romulus Michigan. They can restore them to better than new.

 

[Sixpactogo]

For a driver, you could try spraying some Chrome paint on them but you probably won't be happy with the outcome. I bought new replacements for my Charger. They are holding up well.

 

[dadsbee]

Just buy repros and call it a day...

 

[threewood]

Getting originals re-chromed is going to be expensive compared to repops.

 

[dvw]

I've had my dash bezels done at Vacuum Orna-Metal though its been 13 years. It was nice and not to costly.
Doug

 

[AR67GTX]

I never mess with rechroming. The repros look great.

 

[bandit67]

I prefer to keep the originals if there is any way possible to refurbish them to an acceptable appearance. Chinese repops are my last resort..future owners can repop away if they wish....

 

[Coelacanth]

I have several armrest bases and they were all flaking and looking like crap. I stripped the chrome with LA's Totally Awesome Cleaner and painted them SEM Trim Black.

Grendel lives...resurrection of a 1970 Charger 500

 

[YY1]

Search for the threads here and on FABO about chrome spray paint.

They are informative and include third party test results for about a dozen commonly available brands.

They prompted me to buy the VHT brand as it was the easiest for me to find.

I have not tried it yet, though.

IIRC it was ranked #2, with the #1 ranked product being more costly and difficult to find.

 

[haywire 440]

Check with Vacuum Orna-Metal out of Romulus Michigan. They can restore them to better than new.

I had radio thumbwheel dials re-done by this company and they turned out fantastic. It makes me wonder what the price difference would be for repops and their service on original arm rest bezels.

 

[Coelacanth]

Nearly every chrome spray-out-of-a-can I've used has had disappointing results that look more like a metallic grey or silver than chrome. They usually look nothing like the cap either, because the cap is plated chrome and not an accurate representation of the actual color. The only way to get a proper chrome finish is to first spray a base coat of a special black paint, then very thinly dust on several coats of the final specialty chrome paint, like Spaz-Stix Mirror Chrome for example. And then, you might not be able to clear-coat it for durability because it'll mess up the orientation of the chrome paint particles.

RC car modelers use Spaz-Stix on the inside of the clear Lexan bodies because the body itself provides the clearcoat. The order or painting is reversed, with several dust coats of the chrome paint followed by the special black base, sprayed on the inside of the body.

 

[haywire 440]

This discussion makes me think back to a product that was in say 55 gallon drums where a part was then dipped into several times and wow it was fantastic chrome looking results. I remember even Jay Leno was impressed. (Edit) It was a waterbased liquid.

I believe it was a new way to even coat bumpers and do away with the old way.
What happened with that? Gosh it was probably 20 years ago.

 

[Jesse6869]

Nearly every chrome spray-out-of-a-can I've used has had disappointing results that look more like a metallic grey or silver than chrome. They usually look nothing like the cap either, because the cap is plated chrome and not an accurate representation of the actual color. The only way to get a proper chrome finish is to first spray a base coat of a special black paint, then very thinly dust on several coats of the final specialty chrome paint, like Spaz-Stix Mirror Chrome for example. And then, you might not be able to clear-coat it for durability because it'll mess up the orientation of the chrome paint particles.

RC car modelers use Spaz-Stix on the inside of the clear Lexan bodies because the body itself provides the clearcoat. The order or painting is reversed, with several dust coats of the chrome paint followed by the special black base, sprayed on the inside of the body.

You are correct about the clear it will turn gray. Ask me how I know.