Part restoration and chrome plating

[John D.]

Hi:

I have a couple parts on my 1968 convertible in tough shape. The two upper corners where the soft top connects to are scratched and pitted. I believe them to be "pot metal". I understand these are rare with no reproductions available. I would like to get them repaired/restored and plated. Any suggestions on a reputable vendor?? At Carlisle I got a card from Frankford Plating in Philadelphia who claims to be a specialist in pot metal restoration. Anyone have experience with them?

Thanks in advance. John

[Jack H.]

A few cautions....

Look around for a local plater who WILL work on pot metal (they're out there and easier to find locally than you might think). Show him the original part before you start the restoration-replate process. If he's ANY good, he'll show you the original piece was 'selectively' plated--'bright' chrome on top and 'dull' along cockpit facing curvilinear surfaces. The difference: whether or not the final plate was buffed out. If you just ship parts off to a 'catalog' plater without Corvette concours experience, they're likely to come back all bright everywhere....

Next, I presume (hope) your windshield's broken (removed from the frame) before you start this process. In order to get the corner molding out, you'll have to strip more than a few of the windshield frame moldings to get clearance for taking out the corner moldings. And, if memory serves, you'll find a few screws buried under insulation/caulk holding them to the frame. If I'm right, the front side screws are behind the upper lip of the windshield glass and it's downright near impossible to get them out with the glass installed without cracking/chipping the upper edges of the windshield! Check your AIM for specifics....

[John M.]

Re: Part restoration and chrome plating

John Barger at Frankford plating has done some pot metal parts for me including some that other platers had given up on. His work does not fall into the "original quality" class, the work he did for me was so beautiful that it almost brought tears to my eyes! If you don't mind a look that is a couple of steps above the GM norm, I would reccomend him highly. john

[John D.]

Re: Jack's cautions

Jack:

My windshield is not out, the latch pieces are screwed to the header corners on the inside. I was contemplating replacement of the header pieces but had not yet attempted to remove them. Are they really under the window glass on a convertible too??

On my 68 the parts that are scratched up, screw to the header part with three chrome screws. My car is a convertible.

It looks like the AIM shows part # 3935603-4 for the t-top and my part #s are 9715260-RH and 9715261-LH. I don't see them in section F of the AIM.

John

[John D.]

Re: Part restoration and chrome plating

John:

Saw his ad in driveline. I am considering a trip down to Philly once I get the parts all off the car.

Thanks, John

[Jack H.]

Re: Jack's cautions

Boys at the shop cracked one windshield trying to take the corner pieces off for a customer ('70 convertible). Don't have '68 AIM in front of me. Just WATCH your screwdriver against the edges of the windshield when you try.... If you crack 'er, well....