Topic: 67-68 Quarter & Vent Window Chrome Issues ~Re-plate or Replace?

[67gtasanjose]

I have some minor pitting on not only my quarter windows but the vent window frames.

Looking into best options to consider, I wish to use ALL the original glass, they are all date-correct and satisfactory. The quarter windows are off the car (that isn't the hard part) but they look like a real bugger to take apart to separate the glass out, vent windows not so much but looking for the voices of experience here. Getting time to send things out to the platers so...

[Murf]

I feel you will be better off to replate what you have if only minor pits are the problem.  The rears are not too difficult to remove if they are like a 68, and only one part is chrome plated and the remainder is stainless.  I have had good results with Speed and sport Chrome in Texas - use the copper plating that is available at about a 50% premium.  Craig Beirman is the owner and I felt comfortable with him - the price was what he quoted and the turn around time was very short.  He will tell you how many working days he will have it and he has never missed the deadline.  Just one persons experience so use your own best judgement and let others add to this. I think he is a long time advertiser in Mustang Times and you can find his contact info in that publication.  Not the cheapest plating company but I have absolutely been satisfied with his work.  The items he has done for me honestly look like jewelry, in fact maybe too high quality for a production car from the 1960s era if "too good" could possibly be a concern.

[Bob Gaines]

One thing to remember when having this part plated is that the plater doesn't polish off all of the edges and details. It is very common for a over aggressive polish before chrome plating will diminish or eliminate the triangle shape detail in the front corner of the assembly. You want to talk over your expectations with the plater so that they don't ruin the original aspects of the part being plated.

[1967 eight barrel]

I went though this on my Shelby. The glass is almost impossible to separate from the stainless steel channel it is in. It's ever harder to get it back in. I went to many glass shops here in the DFW area. Not one would/could do it. They don't want to do anything that isn't glue in as far as windshields and back glass. All chrome plating requires copper. If they tell you it's an extra step, stay away from them. The window frames are pot metal. If there is anything other than very minor pitting, I'd be cautious about investing the monies in re-plating as the blemishes will likely show.
Al's Plating in Ft. Worth Texas has done all my work. They are relatively reasonable considering the EPA strangulation on the industry that has caused much of the industry to go south of the border.  Just be prepared for the struggle of re-assembly.
                                                                                                         -Keith

[67gtasanjose]

OK, I took the glass out now, the stainless runner and the glass rubber/plastic trim is all left stuck on the glass. I suppose adding a bit more force should remove it, I just do not wish to bend the stainless channel. Perhaps the rubber/plastic glass surround should be replaced? If so (I have not searched for it yet), is a good source known?

Next, probably a "yes" answer to these next questions: Do I remove the steel channel that is riveted in? Do I strip the aluminum down to a bare aluminum boomerang, buy new rollers and what-not?

[ruppstang]

I have not done it myself but I know a restorer that uses the reproduction vent frames. He says that chrome an detail is pretty good and the cost was less than replating.

[67gtasanjose]

I have not done it myself but I know a restorer that uses the reproduction vent frames. He says that chrome an detail is pretty good and the cost was less than replating.

As a measuring stick, NPD price on each quarter window assy. is $447 each with new glass, ready to install (if date coded glass were not important). Each vent frame, (no glass) is $166 each. I would hope that order hits the FREE shipping mark for the 4.

Are we saying a chrome shop will exceed this, once you add in other costs of buffing/polishing the stainless strip, installing NOS weatherstripping (I already have all 4, front & rear) and any other rollers/rivets required for assembly (these items I still may need)?

Fronts vent frames, perhaps a reasonable alternative but the rear quarter frames, I'm not so convinced yet. I need a quote, I imagine that I need to know what would be expected by a plater (how stripped down the chromed section needs to be) and how much they would estimate on each part to sort this out. Fortunately, this is only the "planning stage" on whatever path I choose. I do want the chrome perfect, stainless shouldn't be an issue having it polished, that and any minor scratches in the glass that I have noticed.

[jwc66k]

Many moons back, a friend had his frames replated, or rather the upper pivots. The stainless steel frame was polished separately. He used small studs and nuts to reassemble that were tapped into the pivot. This created another problem in that the glass would not fit. That was resolved when he used my bead blast equipment to "cut" the glass away, then reassemble everything. This procedure worked. This was on a 67 Coupe. For my 66 frames, I had everything chromed and will accept a "shinny" frame deduction in judging.
Jim

[67gta289]

As a measuring stick, NPD price on each quarter window assy. is $447 each with new glass, ready to install (if date coded glass were not important). Each vent frame, (no glass) is $166 each.
Are we saying a chrome shop will exceed this, once you add in other costs of buffing/polishing the stainless strip, installing NOS weatherstripping (I already have all 4, front & rear) and any other rollers/rivets required for assembly (these items I still may need)?

Chroming the vent frames will cost significantly more than $166 each.   Depending on where you go, I'm guessing you will pay $300-400 each for the service.  From pricing I've seen using places in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

[67gtasanjose]

Chroming the vent frames will cost significantly more than $166 each.   Depending on where you go, I'm guessing you will pay $300-400 each for the service.  From pricing I've seen using places in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

OUCH! I figured the front vent frames were likely cost-effective...+$400 each on the rears still a bit more than I wanted to hear...but what HASN'T been more than I want to hear? A little more searching and I have found the rears closer to $320 each, those I wonder if O.E. glass will fit, I seriously doubt you could swap glass, then will the TINT of a replacement window even match (or match evenly, you pick).

Time to start making calls. I'd hate these to be a stumbling block after I get ready to assemble.

[1967 eight barrel]

I think I paid about 125.00 a frame at Al's plating.
                                                                      -Keith

[Bob Gaines]

Many moons back, a friend had his frames replated, or rather the upper pivots. The stainless steel frame was polished separately. He used small studs and nuts to reassemble that were tapped into the pivot. This created another problem in that the glass would not fit. That was resolved when he used my bead blast equipment to "cut" the glass away, then reassemble everything. This procedure worked. This was on a 67 Coupe. For my 66 frames, I had everything chromed and will accept a "shinny" frame deduction in judging.
Jim

Chroming the pivot by itself is the trick. I have not been successful and don't know anyone who has been in re attaching the pivot with original style rivets. For those reading if you have ever tried to do this and what with all of the time involved , you will think that 250.00 + for a NOS vent frame with shiny chrome pivot is a great deal by comparison. That is if you can find one as they are seldom up for sale.

[67gtasanjose]

I went though this on my Shelby. The glass is almost impossible to separate from the stainless steel channel it is in. It's ever harder to get it back in. I went to many glass shops here in the DFW area. Not one would/could do it. They don't want to do anything that isn't glue in as far as windshields and back glass. All chrome plating requires copper. If they tell you it's an extra step, stay away from them. The window frames are pot metal. If there is anything other than very minor pitting, I'd be cautious about investing the monies in re-plating as the blemishes will likely show.
Al's Plating in Ft. Worth Texas has done all my work. They are relatively reasonable considering the EPA strangulation on the industry that has caused much of the industry to go south of the border.  Just be prepared for the struggle of re-assembly.
                                                                                                         -Keith

I think I paid about 125.00 a frame at Al's plating.
                                                                      -Keith

Keith, can you make out the severity of my pitting by looking at my picture posted a few comments back? How does the pitting in the image compare to yours and how did yours turn out at Al's?

$500 is more or less what I figured the 4 items would cost. Most pitting (if not all) is on the insides of the frames. Those pesky rodents got inside the car, you may recall and I attribute the pitting to the high humidity of Ohio AND the urine-smell/rain forrest sauna of a closed up car inside a HOT garage!

[Bob Gaines]

Keith, can you make out the severity of my pitting by looking at my picture posted a few comments back? How does the pitting in the image compare to yours and how did yours turn out at Al's?

$500 is more or less what I figured the 4 items would cost. Most pitting (if not all) is on the insides of the frames. Those pesky rodents got inside the car, you may recall and I attribute the pitting to the high humidity of Ohio AND the urine-smell/rain forrest sauna of a closed up car inside a HOT garage!

I would find better cores. They can get the pits out (depending on chromer) but at what cost? 

[1967 eight barrel]

They can polish the hell out of them post chrome stripping. However, what I have found through experience is when there is a lot of heavy polishing for deep pitting the edges of the items are rarely left crisp/sharp as factory. Coupe cores should be a dime a dozen.  These guys can literally repair just about anything. You might give them a call and see if they'll quote you. Or send them. The worse you'll wind up out is ground shipping and you know where you stand.
http://gravesplating.com/
                                                                                                     -Keith