02-09-2021, 09:56 PM | #1 |
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Vent Window Dilemma
In the process of doing metal working on my 1971 C10, I needed a break and decided to work on disassembling the doors and tearing down the vent windows. Upon inspecting the vent windows, the chrome is in rough shape. I was not too thrilled with the cost of reproductions or the rebuild OE units so got a price locally for re-chroming the vent window glass frame, handles and polishing the stainless- $800!!! No thanks. So I think I have settled on painting the glass frame black.
Question is two-fold: 1. How do I best prep the peeling chrome to paint? Sand blast, fill and sand with a product like USC all-metal, epoxy and paint? 2. Do I paint the stainless trim on the divider or polish it? This is on a C10 Custom Deluxe that is a resto mod but I am keeping most of the original trim features (Emblems, divider trim around back of the cab, etc) Thanks
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Project Family Values Build Thread Vehicles/Projects: -1971 C10 SWB Fleetside! Gathering parts now, will begin frame-off resto soon... Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. -Aristotle |
02-09-2021, 11:37 PM | #2 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
I am looking at your pictures, and I don't see it as being very rough at all. It seems pretty nice. Perhaps in person it looks worse. I suggest clean it up with steel wool or a fine wire wheel. You may find it restores the chrome, you may be amazed. I was impressed with what that did on mine. Then just polish and clean it and give it a shot of spray can clear paint. Sorry I don't have an answer on the two-fold question.
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02-10-2021, 12:38 AM | #3 |
The Older Generation
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
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^^^^^.. This. I use #0000 steel wool on chrome parts that have light pitting or rust discoloration on them. It works wonders. Just don't lean on it real hard, go over it lightly. LockDoc
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Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
02-10-2021, 10:23 AM | #4 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
If you really want to paint...I THINK phosphoric acid will dissolve the chrome. Try soaking the vent windows in a acid/water bath overnight...and see what happens.
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02-10-2021, 10:37 AM | #5 |
Almost Satisfied
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
Find Roger Koop on the board here. He rebuilds the whole assembly for a very fair price IMO. I do know his chrome guy went out of business and I don't know if he has found another.
Short of having them re-chromed, you might look at getting them powder coated. Black is the most common color for most powder coat guys and they will hold up better than paint.
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1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far." |
02-10-2021, 02:21 PM | #6 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
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1971 SWB step side: Original NM Forestry and then NM Fire truck |
02-10-2021, 03:50 PM | #7 | |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
Quote:
I think I will try to find another chrome plating company before I give up and paint them
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Project Family Values Build Thread Vehicles/Projects: -1971 C10 SWB Fleetside! Gathering parts now, will begin frame-off resto soon... Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. -Aristotle |
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02-10-2021, 04:26 PM | #8 |
Almost Satisfied
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
Another option:
https://www.truckhaven67-72.com/prod...out-glass-pair Edit...I see it shows no longer in stock. If they have them you should be able to find them from some vendor??
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1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far." |
02-10-2021, 09:38 PM | #9 | |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
Quote:
Or post a want-to-buy ad in the parts section for a better condition vent window assembly (or just that bracket). Or search here on the forum about what people have found for plating. I bookmarked this one, because I have a small number of items I will probably end up getting plated. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=778276 |
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02-11-2021, 10:24 AM | #10 |
Carpe manana
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
I recommend getting a quote from Electroplating of El Paso for the chrome work and polishing. They do good work for a reasonable price (ex. bumpers were $225 w repair four years ago). I've used them for stainless polishing as well with great results.
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11-18-2021, 08:17 PM | #11 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
I just sent a set of 67 vent windows to Electroplating of El Paso to have chromed They quoted $158.00 ++ for their "house chrome" and $205.00 ++ for show chrome . Approx time of 4 weeks for this small order .
http://www.electroplatingelpaso.com/english/services
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1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop |
11-18-2021, 08:39 PM | #12 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
What kind of prep did you do? They sure look very black.
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11-18-2021, 08:44 PM | #13 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
0 Prep they are painted black from the factory . They don't want you to do any prep work on them.
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1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop |
11-18-2021, 09:20 PM | #14 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
You might try
Email: drjsrestorx@comcast.net www.drjsrestorationrx.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Js-Resto...8736887485115/ He did mine and I couldn't be happier with the results. base labor rate of $225.00 per pair 1967-72 Chevy pickup typical pricing *** (Prices can vary depending on Year, make and model): The felt channels are $44.50/pair, rubber is $32.50/set, handles are $14.50 each, and glass is $24-$48 each, depending on the year and if you want clear or tint, plus shipping (tempered glass is special order). Then there would be the shipping cost back to you, which can be $30-$80 (approx) depending on where you live. No relationship except being a happy customer. Seems to be difficult to get great service and a fair price now days. |
11-18-2021, 09:43 PM | #15 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
if you go the steel wool route i suggest using some sort of metal polish as a lube between the wool and the chrome . i used this process on an old springer frontend on a harley it was fairly rough and came out real nice not perfect but i thought it helped with the fine scratches
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11-18-2021, 10:08 PM | #16 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
Brasso metal polish works pretty good for polishing chrome.
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11-21-2021, 08:00 AM | #17 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
AGREE with Accelo!! He did mine and you could not ask for a better Quality job. Mine are not chrome, they were powder coated black.
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11-22-2021, 09:07 AM | #18 | |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
Quote:
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11-22-2021, 09:24 AM | #19 | |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
Quote:
Electroplating of El Paso has been in business for 30 years,and has won many awards on its show chrome plating and show gold plating finish. We know our customers expect a wet quality mirror finish. At the customer's request, we will tag those items to be show plated for an additional charge. Our master polisher takes time to make sure he performs the best detail work possible. Now comes the plating. We do not stop at double or triple plating. Your items will get as many layers of plating as needed, even a thick layer of acid copper if needed. Our house chrome is superior quality compare to our competitors show chrome, so you could imagine what our show chrome finish looks like.
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1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop Last edited by Grumpy old man; 11-22-2021 at 09:34 AM. |
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02-11-2022, 10:52 AM | #20 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
Back from the chrome shop , It took about 10 weeks . I'll be sending another set next week .
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1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop |
02-11-2022, 12:41 PM | #21 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
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02-11-2022, 01:01 PM | #22 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
If the chrome was really not savable and someone went the way of painting them - as OP was thinking - would powder coating maybe be an option?
I had some powder coating done recently and now I am one of those "Powder-Coat-Everything" guys.
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02-12-2022, 12:10 PM | #23 |
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Re: Vent Window Dilemma
I too am a powder coating fan. I converted an old commercial refrigerator into an oven. I can do parts over 4 foot long. The process is simple easy to learn and environmentally friendly. I think I can paint most parts for less money than it cost to clean your paint gun. You will quickly turn into the powder coat everything person. It can be done with the countertop oven or an old stove. Just depends on your motivation. A good blast cabinet costs more money than my oven did. I highly recommend it for any buddy doing restorations. The only Powdercoating I paid for was the frame and front crossmember. The vendor cooked the crossmember in an oven at 900°. That removed all the oil that leaked into it over the years. Then they blasted and painted it. The frame is 100% more durable than the factory ever considered.
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