Tail Panel Restoration | 1965 Oldsmobile 442 Forum

Big Mike
Old Fart

Posts: 2,629

Tail Panel Restoration Oct 26, 2008 17:02:55 GMT -5

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Post by Big Mike on Oct 26, 2008 17:02:55 GMT -5

OK, Need some help from the brain trust.

I’ve installed rechromed bumpers as well as a set of NOS; tail lights, back up lights and turn signal/parking lamps. I want to get the tail/trunk panel rechromed and wanted to know some recommendations.

I know that some folks have been disappointed in sending their panel in for rechroming only to have the panel returned with the two center sections painted instead of the proper finish of the chrome. What have you done with your panels?

Two places that have been referred to me as very good chrome restorers and replaters are Paul’s Chrome Plating and The Finishing Touch. However, the two guys that recommended this shops to me do not have 65's. Ram Z I see in your resto-journal that you used A-W in Detroit, but you didn't mention the tail panel, did they do the panel as well?

Any and all recommendations would be most appreciated. The panel I have on the car was OK until I put on the bumper and tail lights, now it stick out like a sore thumb.

Thanks,
Big Mike

Big Mike
www.capitolcityrockets.org

RAM Z
Administrator

Posts: 8,217

Tail Panel Restoration Oct 26, 2008 17:24:17 GMT -5

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Post by RAM Z on Oct 26, 2008 17:24:17 GMT -5

My panel is an original piece that came out of Las Vegas. Its really nice except for two gouges under the trunk lock. So i didnt want to risk having it redone. Every redone panel Ive seen either has the matte areas painted or smooth chrome. Seems like the shops cant recreate that finish properly.

I do know someone with an NOS one.........cough cough (BRO) cough cough........ ;D ;D

Last Edit: Oct 26, 2008 17:24:35 GMT -5 by RAM Z

Big Mike
Old Fart

Posts: 2,629

Tail Panel Restoration Oct 26, 2008 17:40:02 GMT -5

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Post by Big Mike on Oct 26, 2008 17:40:02 GMT -5

I do know someone with an NOS one.........cough cough (BRO) cough cough........ ;D ;D

As much as I would like my son out of the house, I don't think BR[]'s NOS one would work for me. Although it would fit in nicely with all the other NOS parts I've installed over the last few years. ;D

My original panel was not in that great shape, even though my car spent all its life in CA and AZ. I have another original 442 panel that’s in even worse shape. The one on the car now is actually a Cutlass panel redrilled to accept the 442 badge. It works, but by no means as nice as I would like, but sure beats an incorrectly done rechromed one.

Thanks,
Big Mike

Big Mike
www.capitolcityrockets.org

nickthefish
Moderator

Posts: 990

Tail Panel Restoration Oct 26, 2008 19:18:10 GMT -5

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Post by nickthefish on Oct 26, 2008 19:18:10 GMT -5

It's a shot in the dark and the write up in Hot Rod (Dec 08) was great. There's a place in Gardena, California called Verne's Chrome 323-754-4712. It may be worth it just to give them a call and see if they can do the two different shades of chrome. They do a lot of concourse cars too. Let us know the results and pricing (if he gives you any over the phone).

Or Bro's got (or used to) them on his website made of aluminum for only $1200.

Nick

I used to run, but the ice cubes kept falling out of my drink.

BR[]
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The Original

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Posts: 3,662

Tail Panel Restoration Oct 28, 2008 16:06:53 GMT -5

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Post by BR[] on Oct 28, 2008 16:06:53 GMT -5

Just to set the record sraight, the only NOS tail panel I have, is on my car. The ones shown on my web site have never been produced. He was taking pre-orders only, but due to a job shake-up, all projects were put on the back burner. waaaaay back. I did chrome a few of my own, which I painted the silver on the panels. They are hard to tell from the originals, but not right. I wish I had a few because I could sell all I could get my hands on.
I have seen a lot of them done and talk to every chrome shop I run across. None of them can give me a straight answer how it was done. They all have totally different ideas and methods.

If anyone has any luck, please share with the rest of us.

Just for the record, Pauls Chrome wants $1400 to do one friggin' bumper.

Big Mike
Old Fart

Posts: 2,629

Tail Panel Restoration Oct 28, 2008 19:27:23 GMT -5

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Post by Big Mike on Oct 28, 2008 19:27:23 GMT -5

Oct 28, 2008 16:06:53 GMT -5 BR[] said:

Just for the record, Pauls Chrome wants $1400 to do one friggin' bumper.

Yeah, but it will be one sweet bumper! ;D ;D ;D

I knew that Paul's was really expensive, and they do really good work, but that's even higher than I had thought. I guess that is the definition of "show chrome'.

I know of someone who sells a great deal of NOS parts and a great many of them are Olds parts. He runs across some good used pieces that he will rechrome and sell. I will check with him and see where he gets his pieces chromed and report back.

Big Mike
www.capitolcityrockets.org