Crome or Stainless?

[Joseph K.]

I have a Friend that has a 63 split back and he has a question on the windshield trim. Is the windshield trim to have a stainless or chrome finish? We removed the trim and it has a chrome finish that is pealing off. It is my guess that it was originally stainless.

Also if it has minor denting can it be repaired?

[Irby G.]

Re: Crome or Stainless?

Joseph,
As near as I can tell, it is suppose to be stainless. I believe that's what I have on mine.
Irby

[Timothy B.]

Re: Crome or Stainless?

Joseph, The pieces are stainless but are finished with a process called smack chrome. Search archives on this as I believe it was done to keep the stainless from dulling over time.

If there is a dent I think there are people out there that can remove the dent and polish, check archives for this also.. Be careful with that 63 stuff because it's $$$$ if you can find it.

[Mark F.]

Re: Crome or Stainless?

I have a Friend that has a 63 split back and he has a question on the windshield trim. Is the windshield trim to have a stainless or chrome finish? We removed the trim and it has a chrome finish that is pealing off. It is my guess that it was originally stainless.

Also if it has minor denting can it be repaired?

Hi Joseph
I just wanted to confirm that on my 65, the windshield SS trim has never been off the car and I do have a tiny section that appears to be peeling as well, to Timothy's point. Hope this helps.

[Jack H.]

Re: Crome or Stainless?

Methinks the smack/flash chrome over SS was a cosmetic issue dictated by marketing. It REALLY hikes the cost of SS trim pieces and it ages poorly because the smack/flash chrome technique inherently lays down a very THIN layer of chrome that's not as durable as a traditional triple-chrome process.

BUT, what you wind up getting is a consistency in color/hue of adjacent exterior bright trim components (bumpers vs. wheel covers vs. windshield moldings). With simply polished out SS, there'd be a subtle difference in color/hue between these components...

[Stuart F.]

Re: Crome or Stainless?

Could it be that the 63 coupe windshield trim is different from other year C-2's in that it is different in design - more like that of the convertibles?

The convertibles windshield trim butts up to the side wing window frame which we know is chrome, and that would make an obvious case for having them match. Also, you would think the top header frame piece on the convertible, which takes a lot of abuse, would be the first place any peeling would start. Mine does not show anything but some scuffing from 45 years of use.

Stu fox

[Joseph K.]

Re: Crome or Stainless?

Guys,

Thanks for your help

Joe