Topic: Pitted chrome

[68 S Code]

I am thinking of refinishing my original upper windshield header brackets at the corners which hold the visor and the top clamps to. I could go and get the repops but have gone so far using original parts that I thought I would tackle this. Problem is that there is some pitting. Someone mentioned that you sand off the zits. Well I tried doing that on an old mirror with mixed results. I remember that I had a latch assembly for the top media blasted and once they finished all the pits and chrome were gone. I found a dull brass finish but no pitting. Is this what is done to prep parts for replating. If I had this done to the corner trims would the pits disappear? So many knoowledgable people here that I figured someone would know the answer.

[bryancobb]

I used a tiny pneumatic die-grinder with one of those Scotch-brite discs on it.  It spins high RPM and smoothes them out nicely.

[68 S Code]

But I noticed that once the raised part got nocked off there was a divit below. Do you need to sand all the material around the divit to even the surrounding surface down to the bottom of the pit? 

[bryancobb]

If you look closely you can see every one if you have 20/20.  Still better that repro if you ask me.

[MyRed66GT]

The better chrome plating places will actually drill out the pits and fill them in. Then I assume they sand and buff out before the plating process.

[68 S Code]

To drill them out, fill and sand smooth it sounds labor intensive (expensive ). Is there a visible difference with the repops? Has a set but can't find them anywhere.

[68 S Code]

Well I experimented with the grinder over the weekend and wasn't happy. Luckily tried it on a spare. The divots were very pronounced. Visited a local plater and he was a waste of time. Kept telling me that he's sire the header pieces should be shiney chrome. Forgot to tell him that in 68 a new Fed law required a duller finish to combat glare to drivers.

Kind of stuck. Anyone know of some clean ones or NOS?

[jk66gt350]

This is not an ideal solution, but what I did for the same parts on my 70 Cougar convertible.  I ran into the same challenges and ended up 1) sanding them down, 2) filling in the pits with liquid metal, then sanding to a smooth finish, 3) spray painting with multiple coats of chrome paint (Krylon Premium / Original Chrome), and then 4) buffing the chrome paint which dulled it to a very similar color and finish to the original satin finish chrome.  They are prone to scratching so you have to be more careful than with re-chromed parts, but they look great.     

[68 S Code]

I was told that Imron paint is as strong as powder coAting.  Should be able to get color pretty close.