58 Looking for alternate source of grill and "eye brow" moldings other than GM. I went to the body shop today and they were putting the new grill moldings on (GM NOS) and the quality was just plain bad. I called a couple of vendors and all they had was the GM source. The vendors even openly admitted that the quality is variable/poor. Is there another source or do I look for old original and get it rechromed ($$OUCH!!) TIA Ken
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Ken, If you want perfection...
...you buy the GM stuff or old original stuff and have it "show chromed" by a plating shop that specializes in that approach. The problem always crops up when you have a couple of parts "show chromed", and then, everything else looks like crap next to it on the same car. Just part of the great fun and expense in trying to do a real class act restoration. Welcome aboard... -
Re: Ken, If you want perfection...
Dennis,
Your response raises another question. Does the National Corvette RESTORERS Society want perfection? Did GM make all parts perfect? If your goal is perfection then I would suggest selling your Corvette and NOT subscribing to the NCRS.
As I remember one hobbyist saying, "Is restoration like we wished it were or is restoration like GM made it in the first place"? Er something like that anyway.
If NCRS judges are looking for perfection then they are not doing NCRS members a favor by judging.
Perfect paint, interiors without flaws and engines that run like sewing machines are becomming the norm on the judging field. Is this becoming the NCCC?
Not trying to rain on anyones parade but recently at the NCRS meet in Florida a 1966 with lacquer paint lost 30 points for finish and gloss while another 1966 judged by the same team with base coat-clear coat didn't loose a single point.
Trying to achieve the PERFECT Corvette is not the goal here!
Dennis, this has nothing to do with you personally but your comment just tripped my trigger.
Regards,
JRComment
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Re: C1 Chrome
Ken: the NORS(not NOS as your post mentions) Grill surrounds currently available from Chevy aren't even close to being as nice a plating job as those originally installed on your 58. if you want them to be closer finish-wise to those originally installed in st louis in 58, send them out to your chrome plater for an improved finish. they may come back nicer than the originals were finished but i for one would rather have them closer to perfection than closer to trash.my 2 cents. mikeComment
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Re: Ken, If you want perfection...
Perfect paint, interiors without flaws and engines that run like sewing machines are becomming the norm on the judging field. Is this becoming the NCCC?
Yes Yes Yes don't you love it?????????????
Can you spell trailer queens
The words Original parts and NOS will soon be lost in the vocabularComment
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Re: C1 Chrome
I take orig parts and have them re-chromed - That way you know the orig parts fit - I use Paul's chrome - they amaze me every time.
Chrome when done right looks so good1954 Corvette #3803 - Top Flight 2012, Bloomington Gold 2012,
Triple Diamond Award 2012, Gold Concourse Award 2012, Regional and National Top Flight 2014
1954 Corvette #3666 - "The Blue Devil" - Pennant Blue - restoration started
1957 Corvette - FI 3 sp - Black and SilverComment
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Anyone seen the chrome on C2 grills from GM
Has anyone seen the C2 grills from GM restoration parts, curious of the chrome quality on those pieces.Comment
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Re: Ken, If you want perfection...
What is NCCC ? DaleComment
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Re: C1 Chrome
agree with chris 100% regarding Paul's chrome in evan city, pa. mikeComment
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Re: Ken, If you want perfection...
Dale -
NCCC is the National Council of Corvette Clubs; their judging is "Show-and-Shine", which focuses on microscopic dust particles and perfect fit and finish. One of their guys explained their judging standard to me last year as "The relentless search for dirt"Comment
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Re: C1 Chrome
I used Paul's for my '66 bumpers based on a previous recommendation from Mike and they did a fantastic job. The shop doing work on my car was so impressed they now send all their work to Paul's.
IanComment
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Re: C1 Chrome
Just wanted to bring to your attention there are two general types of chroming process...Nickel base and Zinc Base..
Now I am not an expert, but just went through making the decision of which way to go. This was explained to me in this way. Nickel base is the more inexpensive way and is a two step process. As a result the chrome is not as bright and will not last as long as ZINC. Nickel is popular because it has less environment impacts then ZINC.
ZINC is a three step process yielding a much brighter and harder finish less prone to pitting or flaking. However its outlawed in many states, like Virginia, Maryland, etc.
I sent mine to FRANFORD in PHILLY, used triple show chrome (ZINC) and love the results.
I hope I am right on my explaination, if not I am sure somebody will correct me and we all learn...Cheers
Oh yeah or the record....I have restored my car the way Chevrolet SHOULD have built it. My personal opinion is why but a mistake back into the car, afterall aren't we here to learn and correct our mistakes. I will have my car judged and expect to loose the points, but most of all I have to look at the car and enjoy it away from the judging field. Its more important to me to have the car the we it should have been built....that's my humble opinion, not for all, just for some.Comment
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Re: C1 Chrome
Thanks Guys, I'm not looking to build a trailor queen but the new GM chrome is pitiful. Next to my new (?import) bumpers and teeth it looks out of place. I was happy to see the GM and Made In USA on the boxes but reaaly disappointed with what was in them. I did call Paul's and they quoted me ~$1300 to do the grill surround and the eyebrows. Never had any chroming done before and I almost fell off my seat. My original parts from the car were damaged in an accident. I may just look for old original stuff and get it re-chromed and just take the credit for the GM parts. Thanks for your input. KenComment
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Gee whiz Joe Ray, That's why I started the...
...response with, "IF you want perfection"... The key word is IF. I do not recall suggesting this poster do anything other than satisfy his goals during the restoration of his car. I do not recall suggesting all restorers restore their cars beyond the scope of how they were delivered. These guys are paying the bill - they can do whatever they want. Well, at least you got Roy Braatz spooled up... Best, DennisComment
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Re: Gee whiz Joe Ray, That's why I started the...
On the Corvettes that we restored we always used a good commercial plating shop, not a show chrome shop. We had to clean up the backs of the bumers to remove the rust, otherwise they would just plate over the rust. The looked good, still had the waves like the originals, but I could not comb my one hair in them. Never was cut for any of the bumpers.
AACA restorations and other show cars I would sent the chrome to Lemon Grove or Advanced. Did a 57 Caddie many moons ago and sent the chrome to a shop in the Detroit area. They had the contract to do GM's chrome for the concept and show cars. The bill was a very reasonable $12,000 in the late 1970's. Sent it there by the customers request. It probably took 5 years off his life when he saw the bill.Dick WhittingtonComment
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