Anybody painted the vent window chrome or seen it done?

[oldcarnut]

Exploring some options of painting the chrome trim around the vent window on the 70 instead of replacement.  With the cost of new chrome over $600, I was wondering how it would look painted either body color or a matt type black. Looked on the net for some pictures but no luck so far.  Anybody seen any with it done?

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

New repro's are $545....$15 savings!  LOL

http://www.tonysparts.com/newproductsB.htm

[oldcarnut]

Wonder who makes those?  I saw same set on the bay for $750 I think it was.

[Mike DC]

 
Can you not find somewhere to re-plate the old ones?  I can't imagine it costing $600 to do that.  The important surface area is not much. 

[oldcarnut]

I have to take some antique oven parts for plating to a shop in Northern Ga.  I'm taking the vent window parts with me for an estimate but I read some other peoples experiences and it was expensive even for small pieces. for ex.  http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,116359.0.html

[69bfan]

We have done several sets and the plating at the very least will run you in the $400 range up to close to $900.  You can definitely tell the difference in the two ranges.  The detail of the piece is ground away in the lesser price work.  You also have to plate the bottom piece that the glass sits in, the pivot point, the latch and all of the pieces have distinct details that are apparent upon observation.  Also take into consideration that these pieces are pot metal that is more difficult to plate and work with.  The stainless vertical glass channel needs to be polished as well which is relatively easy and inexpensive in the process.    Personally, I prefer a nice used set or reconditioned original set over the reproductions.  I know that the originals will fit as they have been some fitment issues with the reproductions. 

[Dino]

You could put all the work in to strip the chrome and paint it a low sheen satin black, but then you should really do all the trim to match. This would be a nice option if you would customize the car to look more modern, with tucked bumpers in body color to boot.

I find that biting the bullet and doing it right will pay off. The frames will look better than new with the right prep and quality chrome. Of course, the rest of the trim may need to be polished to match but at least that's something you could possibly do yourself. And if not, it's a lot cheaper to do than have something chrome plated.

I'm sure I'll have to sit down and take a few deep breaths if ever I drop off all the chrome parts to redo and they give me an estimate.   

[Mike DC]

You could put all the work in to strip the chrome and paint it a low sheen satin black, but then you should really do all the trim to match.

What about putting in some work to cheapen the rechroming bill?  Give them a stripped & smoothed piece to start with.

[DAY CLONA]

You could put all the work in to strip the chrome and paint it a low sheen satin black, but then you should really do all the trim to match.

What about putting in some work to cheapen the rechroming bill?  Give them a stripped & smoothed piece to start with.

Finding a shop that's willing to rechrome over YOUR work is like finding a shop to paint over YOUR body and prime work

[Patronus]

I almost painted mine.
Would love to see pics of something painted black.        Definitely have to tape it off during buffing.

[oldcarnut]

I picked up a free spare set to try it on.  Already spent a lot of $$$ on paint, door panels, weather stripping, etc. etc. Adding $600 or more whatever it would cost is getting a little too much for investing just in doors for an intended regular driven clone. A friend took some electrical tape and blacked out the chromed portions on his and sent me a pic.  Didn't look that bad for perspective so I'm going to at least try it out to see.  Nothing to lose but some time and a small amount of paint supplies I already have

[M5Ivan]

Looking forward to seeing pics! You could always plastidip them as it's completely reversible. I used it to black out my tail light trim and it came out great.

[Mike DC]

 

Finding a shop that's willing to rechrome over YOUR work is like finding a shop to paint over YOUR body and prime work

Yeah, but it's a lot harder to hide crappy prep work for metal plating.  They need a smooth bare-metal piece.  Either it is or it isn't.