Hey all, Looking for advice about rechroming. The vent glass frames on my 68 appear to be stainless. However, the hinge piece for the top pivot is chromed pot metal. The pivots look crappy, while the rest of the glass frame is in good shape. Is there a way to re-attach these pivots if removed for chroming? They appear to have attaching pegs that are bradded thru the frame holes. If not, is it acceptable to show judges for the whole frame to be chromed? It seems like that is what I am seeing available in repro frames. Thanks. 1968GT500
National Parts Depot now offers a complet Vent Window Assy. Includes Glass, Pivot and Frame ready to install. The Part Numbers are 22205-2B for the Left Side and 22204-2B for the Right Side. You have to call for Price though. CA= 800-235-3445 MI= 800-521-6104 NC= 800-368-6451 FL= 800-874-7595 Hope this Helps. David.
To get them rechromed, keep removing parts untill you get to the base metal part. Yes, you will need to drill out a couple of rivets. You'll also have to grind the sides of most pop rivet guns to get new rivets in on reasembley.
I believe that 1968gt500's question is about the small triangular frame that the glass actually mounts in, not the larger assembly. Part of that frame is stainless, and part (the pivot) is chromed steel (I think) and they are spot welded together. You'd either have to leave them together and mask the stainless part when plating the "pivot", or, remove the pivot to plate it and then figure a way to put them back together. Unfortunately, I don't know the answer of how to do it... and I've always been curious myself. Anybody? I know they're selling repros of just this part, but I don't know how "authentic" they are.
Yes, GT52 is correct. My question is reguarding the small frame that actually holds the glass. I know they are available, but I am not sure if they are all chrome, or if they have a chrome pivot and stainless frame like the originals. If I can have mine chromed, I would rather, but not sure how they would chrome just the pivot without separating the two pieces. Then I'm not sure how they would put them back together without damaging the chrome. Is all chromed acceptable for "concours" judging? Thanks again guys. 1968GT500
The guy who did mine somehow is able to "mask" the stainless and only chrome the pivot. I don't know how he does it but it really looks good. I don't know what he charges for just the wings because I paid $375/side for both the vent frame and the wing. I have heard varying opinions about the quality of the reproductions. Mostly fitment and durability issues. I'm in Houston if you are interested in more info.
Any finish that is not original. In other words if stainless were chromed or if rechroming altered the original surface. This is very common with vent window frames were casting details are often removed grinding out the pits.
Thanks guys. 67200F5A02206, I tried to pm you a couple of times but I guess it didn't take. Can you pm me with the info about your chrome guy? Also, do you have any good digital pics of yours. Thanks again. 1968GT500
Thanks for the input guys. One other question... Can anyone tell me for certain if the glass frame from a 65, 66 or 67 is physically the same. I know part numbers will be different, but is the appearance and fit interchangeable? Thanks again. 1968GT500
I just got my little 1965 vent window stainless frames back from the plater yesterday. Of course they were almost 6 weeks behind the promised date - so what's new- but they look great. I sent in a spare pair of (not great shape) frames, and they polished the stainless (looks as good as chrome) and then masked off the stainless and plated the little pivot. Cost was $45.00 each. Triangle Plating in St. Louis was the vendor. I have no clue how to post imags on this forum, just registered today, but will send you an image via PM if you email me with your addy. You certainly may then post the images for others to see if you know how. Murf
How do you mask off a metal item and or an area that's going into a chemical bath that will be electriclly charged? Chrome plateing is an electro process and a very toxic one at that. Here in California plating shops need to comply with very strict CAL OSHA laws. Hence "very expensive". But if chrome is needed one of the best in the country is a company called "High Luster" in Hayward CA (google 'em) One of there clients is Arlen Ness; they do the chrome work for his custom choppers. Too much hassel and expense for a quarter window. Buy a good used original one off of weeeBay. You won't loose points if that's important to you. ~Earl
They use a metal type of tape, and the tape is plated rather than the masked area. There were a couple of areas inside of the channel on the stainless were plating "creeped in". I was able to simply pop off the plating with a little pick, and it came off in a small sheet of chrome. I do not think that the chrome wants to stick to the stainless very well anyway. The little pivot is the only part that is plated in the process. but since I sent them such a second rate pair of frames to work with they polished the stainless and the polished part looks as good as the chrome. I was happy with the results, but had to take the frames to several plating companies before finding one who would work with me on this. Most do not want to be bothered "masking" the stainless.