I'm in the process of restoring a 65 442 - I had all of the chrome re-done and now the rear piece between the tail lights is smooth chrome - my question is, how do I get the "textured" surface back on this piece like the original?

 

You can't it was in the casting of the piece.

-Richard

 

What part of the chrome process would eliminate that texture? - so I couldn't even blast it with some sort of media to create the same texture? - didn't really want to buy a new piece!!

 

Probably had some pitting in the texture so they smoothed it out. Once you make on smooth spot in the texture you can't stop. It all has to go. As for restoring it you might be able to experiment with some finish techniques. If you will post close up pictures of what it looks like now and what one should look I might be able to give you some ideas on what to try.

-Richard

 

Chrome requires three layers, copper, nickel, then the chrome. Each layer gets polished. If the chrome shop tried to remove pits in the textured area, they would have destroyed the texture, thus the smooth finish. I suggest you contact your chrome shop and discuss it.

 

wow!...where did you get that done....dont want to send mine there...has anyone had the center panel successfully re-chromed?

 

Not sure what you are saying - mine was successfully re-chromed - the question is how to duplicate the factory piece which has two seperate textures - it appears you have a 65 442 - take a look at the rear piece and tell me if you think the texture was there before and after it was chromed at the factory - or if the texture was somehow done after it was chromed - that is all I'm trying to figure out!!

 

We are all saying what you don't want to hear. The trunk panel is a large die cast piece of pot metal. The texture was part of the casting, long before any chrome was applied. The pot metal was likely pitted in the textured area. Your chrome shop ground all the texture flat when they tried to grind out the pits. You can try using wrinkle paint on the now smooth casting, but it will be a compromise at best. You cannot put back the metal that created the texture originally.

 

What I'm having trouble grasping is that the texture in the casting would create such a matte, non-chrome appearance - doesn't even appear to be chrome - but if that is how chrome works, I'll shut up and head over to the "wanting to buy" section!! LOL - thanks guys!

 

The matte appearance of the original casting was due to the fact that the textured area could not be properly polished after chroming. Chrome is not shiny normally, it requires considerable work to polish it after application.

 

I have to wonder if some matt silver(argent) sprayed over your fresh chrome would work ?

I know those things vary but can you give us a ballpark on cost to chrome that ? Mine needs done someday

 

nonhog - I had all of the chrome done at the same time a few years back so it is hard to say what each piece cost - if I were to guess, I would say around $150 for the rear piece