Door panel chrome restoration - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

davepl · 03-13-2012, 03:19 PM

I asked a couple of times about replacing the chrome on my door panels, which had delaminated and fallen off. No one jumped in, so I just took a shot at it, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

The strip on the top is original; the strip on the bottom is my new chrome (it was just grey plastic before, but I didn't take a photo). Total cost, $7.95!

amullis · 03-13-2012, 03:28 PM

It looks great but how did you do it?

**special-K** · 03-13-2012, 03:47 PM

I was watching your other thread to learn any good tricks and never saw any results. What did you end up using and how did you go about it? And by the way,looks fantastic!

davepl · 03-13-2012, 06:17 PM

I bought mylar foil tape from TheTapeDepot.com, I'll paste the actual part number below.

I went with 1/2 inch, and had to trim a little with a razor blade. You might be able to get away with 3/8, not sure. The one roll was $7.45 and is over 200 feet long, so I'm set for the next few panels :-)

I used a credit card to run along the edges both to stick it down and to wrap around the edges. I'm going to have to redo it again because I waxed the "woodgrain" beforehand and it's not sticking well, but I think it'll stick just fine if you clean the plastic well first.

1 Metalized Mylar (Length: 72 YARDS - 216 FEET - 66 METERS - Individual Roll
Size / Quantity: 1/2 inch - 12.7MM - 1 Individual Roll
Color: Silver)

davepl · 03-13-2012, 08:10 PM

Chrome aside, I'm stoked that my 42-year old door panels came out like new with just some Simple Green for the panels and buffing the "woodgrain" insert with some plastic polish. I don't know what the repops are like for quality, but no beating original when you luck out!

Hellbent · 03-13-2012, 09:24 PM

Nice- Looks great!

sanford66 · 03-14-2012, 01:14 AM

That looks good! Thanks for sharing the info, and yes the original door panels look way better than the re-productions. Joseph

**special-K** · 03-14-2012, 07:21 AM

I imagine using cash along the edges won't work so well (hee hee). I'd go with 1/2" like you did. It makes it hard doing something like this with "just enough" and trimmed excess is no big deal.
OEM looks OEM and the reproductions look like reproductions to me.

stomper · 02-20-2014, 10:48 PM

I just replied to your first thread. I may have to do this. Got a linky?

davepl · 02-20-2014, 10:54 PM

Yep, it's all in the thread above (if you mean the where to buy it part).

stomper · 02-20-2014, 10:56 PM

Thanks dave. Missed that!

**zicc1835** · 02-21-2014, 01:24 AM

Thanks Dave just ordered some for mine I'll take some pics when complete

67ctener · 02-21-2014, 01:26 AM

Can't believe that's an oe panel. Looks better then new!

03-13-2012, 03:19 PM	#1
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Door panel chrome restoration I asked a couple of times about replacing the chrome on my door panels, which had delaminated and fallen off. No one jumped in, so I just took a shot at it, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. The strip on the top is original; the strip on the bottom is my new chrome (it was just grey plastic before, but I didn't take a photo). Total cost, $7.95! Attached Images

03-13-2012, 03:28 PM	#2
amullis Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 107	Re: Door panel chrome restoration It looks great but how did you do it?

03-13-2012, 03:47 PM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Door panel chrome restoration I was watching your other thread to learn any good tricks and never saw any results. What did you end up using and how did you go about it? And by the way,looks fantastic! __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-13-2012, 06:17 PM	#4
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Door panel chrome restoration I bought mylar foil tape from TheTapeDepot.com, I'll paste the actual part number below. I went with 1/2 inch, and had to trim a little with a razor blade. You might be able to get away with 3/8, not sure. The one roll was $7.45 and is over 200 feet long, so I'm set for the next few panels :-) I used a credit card to run along the edges both to stick it down and to wrap around the edges. I'm going to have to redo it again because I waxed the "woodgrain" beforehand and it's not sticking well, but I think it'll stick just fine if you clean the plastic well first. 1 Metalized Mylar (Length: 72 YARDS - 216 FEET - 66 METERS - Individual Roll Size / Quantity: 1/2 inch - 12.7MM - 1 Individual Roll Color: Silver)

03-13-2012, 08:10 PM	#5
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Door panel chrome restoration Chrome aside, I'm stoked that my 42-year old door panels came out like new with just some Simple Green for the panels and buffing the "woodgrain" insert with some plastic polish. I don't know what the repops are like for quality, but no beating original when you luck out!

03-13-2012, 09:24 PM	#6
Hellbent Don't blame the messenger Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 318	Re: Door panel chrome restoration Nice- Looks great! __________________ On the Level Just a guy with a hammer and a grinder. OH!, and an HOA- enough said...: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372525 "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge while others just gargle."

03-14-2012, 01:14 AM	#7
sanford66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Everest Ks Posts: 749	Re: Door panel chrome restoration That looks good! Thanks for sharing the info, and yes the original door panels look way better than the re-productions. Joseph __________________ 1970 Chevelle Nomad station wagon 1966 C-10 lwb,250-six,granny 4speed 1966 C-10 lwb,factory A/C,Custom Cab 1954 Delray 2-door sedan [rat rod project]

03-14-2012, 07:21 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Door panel chrome restoration I imagine using cash along the edges won't work so well (hee hee). I'd go with 1/2" like you did. It makes it hard doing something like this with "just enough" and trimmed excess is no big deal. OEM looks OEM and the reproductions look like reproductions to me. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-20-2014, 10:48 PM	#9
stomper Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,701	Re: Door panel chrome restoration I just replied to your first thread. I may have to do this. Got a linky? __________________ "I was patina when patina wasn't cool." 1973 Cheyenne SWB Sunset Gold / Frost White / Saddle

02-20-2014, 10:54 PM	#10
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Door panel chrome restoration Yep, it's all in the thread above (if you mean the where to buy it part). __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

02-20-2014, 10:56 PM	#11
stomper Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,701	Re: Door panel chrome restoration Thanks dave. Missed that! __________________ "I was patina when patina wasn't cool." 1973 Cheyenne SWB Sunset Gold / Frost White / Saddle

02-21-2014, 01:24 AM	#12
zicc1835 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Hanover NJ Posts: 4,298	Re: Door panel chrome restoration Thanks Dave just ordered some for mine I'll take some pics when complete Attached Images __________________ Grand Theft Auto https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=855961 Doc & Kim build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=722288 I am from the desert http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650332 basket case build SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=648557

02-21-2014, 01:26 AM	#13
67ctener Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arlington Washington Posts: 1,808	Re: Door panel chrome restoration Can't believe that's an oe panel. Looks better then new!

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