Pop-out Quarter Windows Mechanisms...Anybody Re-Chrome Them?

Britain Smith · 04-13-2005, 04:07 PM

I was reinstalling the rear quarter window pop-out mechanisms this last weekend and I noticed how pitted and nasty the chrome was on them. It was so bad that I decide not to put them back on the car. Dose anyone have any experience with rechroming these parts or any other parts for that matter? How much do you think it will cost? Is it worth it or should I just look for a decent set of them? If anyone is interested, maybe we could get a group of small parts together to get chromed at once if there is a minimum fee.

-Britain

jstobo · 04-13-2005, 07:30 PM

I rechromed mine for my 69. You can't get them anymore and all the used sets needed rechroming also. They look great. Like new. I think I paid about $60 for them to be rechromed. I don't know for sure since they were with a bunch of other parts being rechromed. I have found rechroming to be cheaper than new purchases for many parts. Depends on the parts though. You need to take the window latches apart. Be careful with the plastic or rubber knobs. They have set screw that needs to be removed before they can be unscrewed. You can break the knobs if you are not careful. I did. But was lucky to have another one available. Use PB blaster to loosen the set screws.

Get them rechromed. You will love the results.

JIM

Britain Smith · 04-13-2005, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the advice. I actually got mine apart without any issues. Any suggestions on where to get them rechromed? I am not sure, but I heard that there are not very many places out here in California that do chrome anymore.

-Britain

jstobo · 04-14-2005, 12:07 PM

Mine were done in Charlotte NC. Get a Hemmings. I am sure there will be ads for chrome shops nearer to you.

RickM · RickM's Garage

A former co-worker from Arizona told me there were a couple of places out there that did great work inexpensively. He never did get back to me with an address though......

Evans, Marv · 04-14-2005, 12:39 PM

Britian:
I had mine rechromed a couple of years ago. The plating place has since been put out of business by the State. The cost at that time was $35 apiece. They came out looking better than new. If yours are in good shape, I'd certainly find a place to get them rechromed. You'll end up paying more for used ones that won't look anywhere as good. When you take them in, take them in disassembled, get a receipt for them specifying the number of pieces. Take a digital picture of them all spread out and give the plating place a copy of the picture with your parts. They lost the pivot posts on mine and had to have new ones machined - which was OK with me. But the idea when you get anything that's a bunch of little parts done, you should do as I said for a little more insurance.

Yellowbird RS · 04-14-2005, 02:49 PM

Dose anybody know what material it is made of?
mine are black and try to recondition I just re anodize all my window trim but the latches are not aluminum.

Britain Smith · 04-14-2005, 03:21 PM

I believe that they are pot metal, but I am not certain.

I do not think that they allow chrome plating in Cali anymore, anyone have a name of a place they have used? I will probably have to ship them.

-Britain

tycharle964 · 04-14-2005, 04:55 PM

where do all the chopper/bike guys get their stuff chromed?

i am not trying to be smart as I don't know, but I am sure someone has to still do it with all the chrome parts being produced still

randywebb · 04-14-2005, 08:51 PM

It's allowed. It is simply difficult and expensive to use these extremely toxic metals (hexavalent chromium for example) without causing some serious problems. So the marginal operators are folding.