Plastic Chrome Platers: Any Suggestions? **PICS ADDED**

[bill440rt]

Yet another project is in the works, re-doing the plastic dash bezels in my '68.
Years ago in the '80's I restored them with Bare-Metal Foil. Looked great at the time, but over the years they have discolored and yellowed just a bit. Time for a well-deserved upgrade.
Well aware repros are out there, but I'd really prefer to have my originals restored.

I used to use American Plastic Chrome, but I've heard since they have folded.
Any recommendations on who to use to restore/rechrome the dash bezels?
Anyone have any good/bad experiences?

[resq302]

There had been a place up in Washington State that I think has since closed up but someone has taken over the tools to do it.  Maybe someone here remembers who it was.

[A383Wing]

CV Platers was just up here across the border of Washington State...but they closed years ago.....

Not sure if Mr' G's is still doing them...I have heard issues with them from other people

[bill440rt]

CV Platers was just up here across the border of Washington State...but they closed years ago.....

Not sure if Mr' G's is still doing them...I have heard issues with them from other people

Good to know.
I've heard issues as well with Mr.G's.
I see Instrument Specialties and PCG has a dash bezel resto service also.

[4cruzin]

If it is just trim areas, I would just do it myself with a silver paint pen . . . looks just as good IMO . . .    Before and after shown . . .

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Bill, I used these two places to chrome 2 sets of a/c vents and both came out pretty good. MM Metalizing had a very fast turn around and did a great job but was a lot more expensive. But they also did extra prep work. The Chrometech USA came out great as well and they just chromed the entire vent and I painted over the areas I didn't want chrome.

The big difference was the speed and price. MM charged more but I had them back within 2 weeks(would have been sooner but they only accept money orders so it took a little extra time to get the money order in the mail). Chrometech waits for a batch of items to do so they only do the chroming once every few weeks. So it took almost 2 months to get mine back cause they didn't receive them in time to make it in that months batch. MM pricing was I think $80 with shipping and Chrometech was like $30 with shipping. Both will give you accurate quotes if you send them a picture. But I think the price MM will quote for your bezels will be way too high. If you aren't in a hurry check out Chrometech.

http://www.mmmetalizing.com/pricing.html

http://www.chrometechusa.com/

[histoy]

Special-Ts (Bill Petro) did the dash for my '64 Belvedere several years ago. 

[Troy]

I was doing research on this recently. CV is out of business. A lot of other companies that advertise seem to farm it out to some company with the equipment that only works business to business. GCar http://www.gcartrim.com seems to have good reviews and apparently does a lot of work for Mopar specialists.

Troy

[bill440rt]

All great suggestions guys, thanks! 
I have to remove the dash cluster bezel yet, then it's time to make phone calls. 

[Nickrc3]

Very pleased with Mr. G's. They did the plastic chroming on both my 68' & 69'.

[A383Wing]

Very pleased with Mr. G's. They did the plastic chroming on both my 68' & 69'.

how long ago was this done by them?

[Nickrc3]

how long ago was this done by them?

June 2012

[War wagon]

National moparts up here in Canada used to offer that service. Not sure if they still do

[peepsrock]

I was doing research on this recently. CV is out of business. A lot of other companies that advertise seem to farm it out to some company with the equipment that only works business to business. GCar http://www.gcartrim.com seems to have good reviews and apparently does a lot of work for Mopar specialists.

Troy

I've used gcartrim, for my 67 dash, been a couple of years ago.  Really nice work, easy to work with.  I'd recommend them, use them again when I need it.

Wes

[bill440rt]

Well, a little update after some research. This is not to bash nor promote any particular business. Just passing along my findings if it helps others.

Mr. G's no longer offers this service. 
PCG won't restore bezels unless they do the whole cluster soup to nuts. (Ka-ching!)
Instrument Specialties was the most expensive, with the second longest waiting list at up to 12 weeks. 
RedLine sublets their work to G-Car. 

Right now it's a toss up between G-Car and Chrometech.
G-Car is a bit more expensive, but their turnaround time is at 4 MONTHS.      I don't mind paying a bit more for a quality job, but the wait time isn't very appealing.
Chrometech was the least expensive, with the fastest turnaround time of 6-8 weeks. Their examples of their work on their website also looked very nice. They also specialize in replating small model car parts (delicate work), and the owner is a model builder/enthusiast so that at least tells me he has an eye for detail.

I'm hoping to send them out this week, I've narrowed it down to those two companies.

[A383Wing]

Price difference between getting yours done and repops?

I know you would rather have yours, but who would know?

Bryan

[bill440rt]

It would be more expensive to buy a set of B/EA repro's vs having either Chrometech or G-Car restore mine.  
FWIW, call me crazy but I'd have no problem whatsoever installing a set of repops in my '69. These are the original dash bezels in my '68, so I'd prefer to keep 'em. 

[el dub]

I had mine done by gcartrim in 04 and they still look good. They are out of Hollister, Ca. if its the same one you are talking about.

[Ghoste]

I'm like you Bill, I have no problem with repros (as long as they are indistinguishable from original)

[kpkube]

Has anyone used this place: Vacuum Orna Metal "Detroit's Oldest Custom Vacuum Metalizer" Since 1954

http://www.vacuumorna-metal.com/content/restoration

[Ghoste]

Never heard of them but close enough to check out one day.  Thanks.

[The70RT]

I have to get my dash bezels done and someone referred me to this link for the do it your self-er. Thinking of the stuff in the video down the page a bit. There is 51 pages of do it yourself info and products. You could even do some parts you don't need and make your money back. Armrest base's are dirt cheap that need refinished 


http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=674441

[Ghoste]

Hmm, interesting.  I do wish there was an affordable way to get into the vacuum method on a small scale though.

[bill440rt]

Just posting a follow-up.
I received my dash parts back yesterday from being replated & detail painted by ChromeTech. I sent him all my dash bezels, the little fratzog emblem, and the two center A/C vents.
They did a GREAT job on them.     Chrome is nice, black is the right shade, and they were re-lettered.
He was very reasonable in price, and turnaround was quick. About two months, as promised. Best of all I know they are original pieces.
Highly recommended. 

[Ghoste]

That is awesome to know Bill as there are so few of these places left and your endorsement carries some weight IMO.

[bill440rt]

Thanks!
I'll post some pics soon of the bezels and as the dash comes together as well. 

[bill440rt]

Here are some pics of the restored dash pieces.
I'm going to reassemble the center dash A/C vent as outlined in another resto thread I created. It is an original non A/C car, maybe A/C is in the plans "someday" so I have the pad, vents & stuff just in case.

[Carrnutt]

Looks great!! 

[JB400]

Looks like he done a good job.  Not that it matters, but how was the back of the bezels finished?

In my book, good parts look good from the front, great parts look good from all sides.

[bill440rt]

Looks like he done a good job.  Not that it matters, but how was the back of the bezels finished?

In my book, good parts look good from the front, great parts look good from all sides.

The backsides are chrome plated. In case you're wondering, original parts weren't "mint" on the backsides, either.
In my book, I would much prefer these than Chinese repops.

[TUFCAT]

That is awesome to know Bill as there are so few of these places left and your endorsement carries some weight IMO.

Absolutely like he said!

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Looking real good!   

[69rtse4spd]

Looks great!! 

2x, good to know about this place.

[fy469rtse]

Start a thread Bill , it's a nice car  and I would love to see lots of photos , it will help the new guys on here undertaking similar work of late

[tan top]

   that's a real nice job on them Bezels ,       deffo a better way to go than repops if possible 

[PlainfieldCharger]

  Incredible...too bad you weren't doing some woodgrain ones...so I have a thread to follow... 

[bill440rt]

Finished up the dash today, what an improvement!

Start a thread Bill , it's a nice car  and I would love to see lots of photos , it will help the new guys on here undertaking similar work of late

I just may do that. There are a few threads floating around out there, maybe I'll just combine them into one thread also. 

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Looks great Bill!

But I have to ask, why not freshen up the gauges? 

[bill440rt]

Looks great Bill!

But I have to ask, why not freshen up the gauges? 

I wish it was in the budget.
Actually, they really aren't that bad with the exception of the speedo. Perhaps that will be the project for next winter! 

[miamivice]

Looks great!