Should I rechrome my original door handles and push-buttons or buy repros? My originals appear to be in decent shape but definetely need to be rechromed. Are repros. any good or are they an instant point deduction on the judging field?
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Re: To Rechrome or Buy Repro.
Justin,
The repros have a different feel in the sharpness of the edges. A judge will likely detect the difference and deduct accordingly. I recently had my original door handles replated by Paul's and the cost was $250 for the pair including the buttons. So rechroming your originals will cost more than just buying the repro. So it just depends on how much you value originality. -
Re: To Rechrome or Buy Repro.
I had my originals rechromed and put a new button and spring kit in them. The ridge on the buttons that holds them in gets thin from wear. Mine were to thin.Comment
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Re: To Rechrome or Buy Repro.
Repop's don't have the same "concave" area along the handle. Until you place them side by side and realize this difference it's hard to notice. After you do that the difference becomes fairly obvious.
Some platers place too much copper under the chrome which tends to "fill" this area. I used Frankford Plating (DRIVELINE) asking them to be careful in this area. The end results were outstanding. If memory serves, I believe the cost was $150 for the handles (pr); no buttons.
I had purchased a set of repops prior to this and found that they didn't perfectly match the door contour which resulted in flexing of the fiberglass. NOT GOOD! I used the new buttons in the rechromed handles.
If your handles are decent then you may want to purchase some donor handles for rechrome........Comment
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Re: To Rechrome or Buy Repro.
Justin, check with Gary Pronesti as he has previously had NOS handles. 407-464-1959, cell 352-638-5778 Gary....NCRS Texas Chapter
https://www.ncrstexas.org/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565408483631Comment
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Re: To Rechrome or Buy Repro.
Justin,
Re-chrome your orig ones. I had mine done. Just think, whenever you open your car door, you are touching an orig one, not a re-pro. LOL
RainerComment
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Re: To Rechrome or Buy Repro.
2nd pic..
RainerComment
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Re: To Rechrome or Buy Repro.
Thanks guys...off to the rechromer it is!! Originality is the only way for me! JustinComment
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Re: To Rechrome or Buy Repro.
Justin, We have a great chrome plater who does an excellent job with pot metal. This shop also does a lot of plating for other bigger and more well known platers. So if you want to avoid the middle man as far as the tab goes go directly to the main plating shop.
M&P Refinishing 212 South Fifth St., Jeannette, PA. 15644 724-527-6360. Family operation. Three brothers and their wives. Don, Gary, and John Kerlin. Their work is first class all the way and the turn around is fairly fast. They really do a nice job. I have been using them for many years. Drop my name if you call them. A lot of NCRS guys are using them. A rather large collector from LA sends them all his stuff. Not long ago they re did all the chrome on one of his 58 show cars because the LA local plater did a crappy job. John D.
P.S. The address I gave you is their new shop as they relocated in Jeannette, PA. Jeannette used to be the glass capital of the world when my Dad was growing up there. Mention to the brothers about not wanting the sharp edges removed on the door handles. Put it in writing also. I do this all the time and they listen as they don't hire workman outside of their family so they all understand one another.......Comment
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Re: To Rechrome or Buy Repro.
Thanks John, I'll give them a call!!Comment
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