How do you restore the bezel chrome?

[Red71gmc]

I have a 72 Sierra Grande that has the wood grain bezel and glove box. The Crome (or it kind of looks like it) around the edges is scratched up and dull. The wood grain I believe can be cleaned up and look fine.
How are you repairing the chrome edges? Has anyone clear coated the wood grain to help it pop a little better?

[Coley]

The gauge bezel itself is plastic (not metal) and the finish that you see on it is called Vacuum 'metalized' and it is process best suited for new parts...not used.
What most guys do is buy a new or repro bezel then look to get the new woodgrain applique for it...but note some are nicer than others.

If you are really, really lucky you might find a NOS one complete with the woodgrain, but it might not match your glovebox and it might cost you several times more than a good repro.

...hope this helps.

Coley

[special-K]

The only N.O.S. ones I see are the replacements GM had made wrong for some reason. They don't have the plating, just grey like a '67, so not actually even correct in my eyes. GM? Yes, but not 'factory'.

They can be redone. I used to get them from Cheyenne Superman before they were reproduced. Still have one left, so never used repro but have put them in other people's trucks and they seem good. The problem is, they can't be redone and keep the woodgrain intact. I'm not sure who makes a bezel with proper woodgrain. I think the factory was photo-etched, not a stick-on. I don't know a good solution but maybe there is a bezel made I don't know about. I got a set from Jerry Brown that looked right to me. Not sure the story on those, who did them, or if many were made. They weren't cheap!

[71blksuper4x4]

There is a chance of finding a chrome edged bezel, but this was the only I have seen in about 7-8 years on eBay. I was happy to get it to go along with my glovebox appliqué.

[Red71gmc]

thanks for the info everyone.
Has anyone had any luck with any of the fake chrome spray cans? The wood grain is in good enough condition I hate to destroy it and put a poor quality one back. The chrome appearing part of the bezel doesn't show as much as the wood grain so if I was going to short change one, I would rather it be the chrome.
I have used the rattle can chrome in the past and I know it fades quick on external small parts. Maybe interior it would hold up better.

[Grumpy old man]

Check these out ?

https://www.classicparts.com/1969-72...fo/24%2D127W/#

https://www.classicparts.com/1967-72...info/22%2D911/

[special-K]

How about clear coating that hillbilly chrome? There are simulated plating sprays for craft work I see but never tried. The cap looks great but not sure that is actual product. I think Krylon makes it.

[Red71gmc]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Check these out ?

https://www.classicparts.com/1969-72...fo/24%2D127W/#

https://www.classicparts.com/1967-72...info/22%2D911/

Thanks Grumpy. They look good in the pics enough to order and take a first hand look.
Have you tried these with any Luck?

[Red71gmc]

Originally Posted by special-K

How about clear coating that hillbilly chrome? There are simulated plating sprays for craft work I see but never tried. The cap looks great but not sure that is actual product. I think Krylon makes it.

Exactly! That was what I was wandering from somebody that tried it already. I have to admit I was going to call it Kentucky chrome (no offense to our Kentucky guys at all) but didn't as I know some take offense. In the 80's when that product came out that is what us hillbillies in Indiana called it. I'm sure the hillbillies in Michigan called it Indiana chrome as we used it in Indiana but of course put the blame one state south. It's all good fun to blame it on hillbillies/rednecks. Were would we all be without it in our blood and soul! Go hillbillies!

Polyester curtains and a redwood deck song is my life creed and the best song ever written no matter how much money you make or what house you live in. Better class of looser is another.

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by Red71gmc

thanks for the info everyone.
Has anyone had any luck with any of the fake chrome spray cans? The wood grain is in good enough condition I hate to destroy it and put a poor quality one back. The chrome appearing part of the bezel doesn't show as much as the wood grain so if I was going to short change one, I would rather it be the chrome.
I have used the rattle can chrome in the past and I know it fades quick on external small parts. Maybe interior it would hold up better.

The thing about the oem vs aftermarket bezel is they are a slightly different shape so you wouldn't be able to pull off the oem woodgrain and put it on a aftermarket bezel or vice versa. I sent a few oem bezels to a company out east to get replated and as Coley said the vacuum metalized process is very expensive. A guy could buy 8 aftermarket bezels for what it costs to restore a oem woodgrain bezel. That said I wonder too how the chrome in a can would work on one.

[Red71gmc]

Ok, I hadn't listened to the polyester curtain song in decades. Just did and maybe not the best song ever as I like the idea but I couldn't live it. Better class of looser however, is good.

[Red71gmc]

Thanks Curt.
I am going to try the Hillbilly chrome with a clear. My artificial woodgrain is in nice condition and I think it would be best instead of loosing what I have currently.