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The instument cluster in '64 has chrome showing on the edge of the rings around each gauge, then frost silver paint picks up down to the area that is painted black. How were these pieces chromed, and has anyone had any luck rechroming them? Mine have some small pits developing and while I have it out of the car I was hoping to have it rechromed before repainting.
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Re: C2 Instrument cluster chrome
Mark,
I've thought about having mine re-plated as well, as it has some pitting.
As far as I know the entire cluster housing (a white metal piece) is chromed and then masked for the application of frost silver (in early C2s) and black paint around the gauges (and the frost green on the rear surface). While it could be rechromed, lately it seems (at least here in Canada) that chrome plating has jumped significantly in price. Worse, to re-plate a white metal ("pot metal" is the other term used) piece, there is considerable labour involved, particularly if pitting is present. The labour increases of course with the intricacy of the piece, and the gauge cluster is a pretty intricate piece. Recently I had three small (1" x 3"), simple (smooth surface), pot-metal brackets for an old gas pump re-chromed. There was some pitting to be repaired in the process as well. The cost was over $180 (Cdn), or about $135 (US). My guess is that a gauge cluster (with pitting) would run at least $500.
Another concern with the gauge cluster, aside from the cost to repair pits and plate, would be the preservation of the "graining" on the surface. Too much buildup of the copper used to fill the pits might obscure the pattern to an unacceptable degree.
All that said, the services that offer retoration of the cluster do not include rechroming in their service, nor do any that I've seen even offer re-plating as an additional cost "extra". I think probably short of finding a better condition bare cluster housing at a swap meet (not easy--I've looked), your best bet is to "polish" as well as you can the chromed surfaces, re-paint the frost silver and black, and live with it.
Good luck.
Grant
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