Auto Instruments rechrome- fustration

[moparjohn]

OK a little rant, I sent my heater box out this summer when the car was down to be re-done by SMS. I sent out at the same time my center A/C duct outlet to be rechromed.  The person at A/I said 8-12 weeks- which I thought was a long time, considering the heater box rebuild took 6- ANYWAY after all these weeks I called yesterday and they said that they could not re-chrome it because it would have to de disassembled and they could not do that. The problem is I have been waiting 10 weeks for nothing and they never called (the phone lady was sorry it was missed) So I need to disassemble it myself (anyone do this before with any hints) or find another place to get it done.  I have been waiting for this piece to come back to install it B/4 the heater box. End rant. Anyone have good luck with plastic re-chroming somewhere else. HELP!!

[BigBlockSam]

 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

From what I have read most resto compay's use CV Vacuum Platers to do the actual rechroming....the resto shop might do the final refinishing but not the actual chroming.

http://www.cvvacuumplaters.com/

Pretty crappy of AI to do that to you......mental note made of that faux pa 

[bull]

I haven't been hearing much good about AI lately.

[Charger1970]

I had a similar experience with Auto Instruments. After waiting several months for my instrument panel to be returned I called to ask what was going on. Incredibly my instrument panel was shipped the very next day.

I also had my center vent replated. I had to disassemble it and send the part I wanted plated. When I got it back I had to scrape the chrome from the areas I wanted to be black.

Link

http://1970chargerregistry.com/70messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=2548&highlight=&sid=6e1f31b8c405b45aca02779e5c4f0df4

[Carrnutt]

Try    http://www.performancecargraphics.com/

[moparjohn]

OK. now I'm getting mad! I got the part (A/c duct opening) back from Auto Inst. and they had tried to rechrome it assembled.  Well now my mint piece that only needed the chrome bands around the vents redone is a milky grey color instead of black.  I got home late today and only spent a few minutes trying to clean it but it does not clean up.  These pieces are not painted at the factory right? Any suggestions on cleaning it to renew the black-the main problen is the vents that pivot in the ducts.  Oh and for the record the phone lady said that the chrome dept. was filled with guys that are 6.4 and not capable of dis-assembling the part SO why accept the job?  I WILL NOT paint this piece to cover up the gray, unless it was done that way from the factory.  I am thinking they might be resonsible for getting me a part as good as the one I sent  (or at least paying for it) and I do not think I will let them touch any of my parts again. Thoughts??? By the way anyone have/know what a mint #2837779-96683 goes for?? John

[bull]

I thought they said you had to disassemble it. Why did they chrome it when they said they couldn't because it wasn't disassembled?

[moparjohn]

I sent it as it came out the car.  They said nothing about disassembly B/4 I shipped it.  When I called they said they had tried to chrome it assembled and it did not work-the vents would no lnoger roll and pivot.  So I guess they stripped it and that left the residue. John

[Brock Samson]

you wrote on your post..

"I sent off some parts to Auto Instruments to get restored, 11 parts in all. It was $637.

Instrument panel
radio bezel
dash panel
radio knobs
arm rest bases
a/c vent "

are you satisfied with the results now for that cost?...
  It seems awfully pricey to me... 

[Charger1970]

are you satisfied with the results now for that cost?...
  It seems awfully pricey to me... 

I never had a problem with the price. Just the service I received.

No, the hassle I went through was not worth the $637. If they had sent the parts the first time (the way they look now) I would have been satisfied paying $637.

Next time I will use CV Vacuum Platers.

[resq302]

John,

I used CV Vacuum platers for my plastic dash pieces and they turned out great.  I think it took them like 8-10 weeks but well worth it.  On the downside, I did send my gagues to get rebuilt and calibrated by Gentry at Auto Instruments.com and my tach is far from acurate at idle but he was able to repair the other stuff.

I too have heard horror stories about their work lately.

If you need that vent part still, give me a PM and I can pass on a friend of mine up in NY state that might have it.

Brian

[moparjohn]

Well I spent a little time on the duct last night.  I used Mr. Clean magic eraser on it and then a little polish to shine it up and it looks pretty good. Howver that was only 1 wing from the duct assembly-  in other word several hours work to get it right.

[Shakey]

I was at Moparfest this past August in New Hamburg, ON.  I was with another member here, Dodge Don and he and I ran across on older fella, and I mean older, that does plastic re-chroming.  The stuff he had on display was excellent.  The items he had for sale were done by him, looked awesome and were priced very low, in my opinion.

His card reads:

PLASTIC RE-CHROME
for the auto restorer

Bright aluminium coating technology on plastic dash bezels and trim panels, interior and exterior trim pieces
Quality plating, replating and detailing for the most demanding restorations
Polish lenses
We repair plastic parts

Frank Zajdlik
318 mcNaughton Ave. E.
Chatham, ON
N7L 2G9
519-354-3696 - evenings

I didn't get any pictures of his stuff, I wish I had of.

So you know, Chatham, ON is about an hour from Detroit, MI.