Customs No money for chrome!

also see chrome wrap

 

I agree chrome vinyl wrap. You need to completly take it a parts to do right. Then if possible put thin rubber where it bolts back together. Clear only with water carefully. I did window trim on my 56 5 yrs ago and just now needing to do it again.

 

This is good, hydro dip chrome is better. See if anyone in your area offers the service. Normally used for wood graining or camo on gun stocks. They lay down a silver base, print a chrome sheet, lay it in a tank, the backing dissolves and they press your grille down into the tank. clear coat when dry.

 

Now you’re talking! Lol

 

Man, that looks great! I’m considering the chrome wrap that was suggested by some.

 

I used Kem chrome on my front bumper. It's not chrome but looks pretty damn good for being paint.

 

I have a guy at work that's playing with powder coating at home. I had him get some "chrome" powder and I gave him a bunch of parts from my motor. It's close, but not chrome. Maybe someone with a little more experience could get it to look more chrome, I'm not sure. Here's some pictures of my motor. I think you'll know what's real chrome, and what's powder coated. It actually doesn't look to bad in person.

 

• Sell off your extra car parts.
• Do some side work, work overtime.
• Go on a strict budget for a couple of months. No fast food, dining out, drinking, or going anywhere. The only 2 places you'll shop are the gas station and grocery store. Brown bag it to work. Don't hire anyone for services. Anything that needs done around the house gets done by you or it takes a back seat until the chrome work is done (get your priorities in line ).

Do all of the above and you'll have plenty of chrome $$$ by Thanksgiving! Sorry for being so rough on you, but that grille needs chrome!

 

You forgot to say lose the cel phone and cancel cable, he could afford gold plating then.

 

I don't think it looks too bad at all. IMHO it would probably look better if the valve covers were given the same treatment as everything you powder coated. Chrome has always been expensive if you don't have a friend who works in a chrome shop and can run your parts at the same time as a paying customer. When I lived in So. San Gabriel, CA, there were about 50 of us who ran together. One of the guys worked at Central Plating in El Monte and that's how come so many of us had show quality chrome. Somebody else payed for it. Of course, I'm older and more responsible and would never do such a thing now.

 

Hey D,

That is one nice cruiser. Why would you want to change something you don’t really need. There is enough chrome in the front end. But, don’t worry about not having a chrome grille, that pinstriping on the hood is a cool addition. If you can get the same guy to continue it onto the blackened grille (between the teeth) it would tie in the whole look of the car and its paint scheme.

The pinstriping could go on the protruding lip above the grille to flow into the ones in between the teeth. That would keep your car in symmetry and have its own character. No need to jump on the bandwagon for a chrome grille until it is absolutely necessary. Despite the various different ways to get it changed over that have been offered, there are still other options.

Jnaki

Here is an idea, if you can’t get the original pinstriping person, get a local pinstriper and make them an advertising deal. They do the minimal pinstriping on your grille and above lip. You tell him/her that the photos you take while he/she does it will be advertising for their business in the well read website: HAMB/JALOPY JOURNAL. It is some needed advertising (local and nationally) that goes along with a photo essay/stories on how you have changed your cruiser.

Each of the HAMB threads will be posted with a different photo and your story. They will be different each time, along with some added background information on your car by you. Each story is just enough to whet anyone’s appetite for the other articles to come. These stories should be spread out over weeks and perhaps (new things added) for a month. That in itself should cover the minimal cost, if any, to advertise the pinstriper’s business and give him much needed KUDOS. Besides, it is the HAMB website after all.

Titles for inclusion of your other stories: SAMPLES

We all like a nice front end
HAMB worthy screen savers
Driving unfinished cars, are you guilty
I see a red door and I want it painted black
50s cars as hot rods
Artsy car pics

The best one of all: I LOVE PINSTRIPING THREAD !!!

 

For a little temporary dress-up, how about painting the grille a bright silver with metalflake the size of bottle caps? At least no one will think you're trying to pass it off for real chrome.

 

Was it you that painted the grill? If not, then strip it and see what it looks like underneath. Maybe it's passable as-is.

 

As stated,
The car looks OK with paint. Chrome would look better
Carefully chemically strip the paint to see whats beneath.
I'd do silver and flake ( I love flake) as a temporary coat. Or polish out the metal and clear it.
Or maybe a wrap.
Theres a lot of options.
Id just drive the wheels off that car

 

I’m sure it would be over a grand to get re-chromed. Just so many other things are more important for that kinda money. I have a family... so you know that deal. Think I’d try the wrap first if I do anything. If they can do it that is. I also been deciding if I want to go with skirts or leave it be. I think chrome grill and skirts would really finish it off.

 

Nice car!
Paint the grill silver.....install some louvered skirts.....get some dished/smooth early 1950's hubcaps.

 

POR 15 Silver paint or Nickel plate.

 

I think chrome grille and skirts would really finish it off.

 

Windshield and rear window rubber with stainless trim would really make the car look better, Delux vs standard, customs don't look as good with black window rubber.

 

I like it as is...I am part of the can afford chrome crowd too.

 

Get together with a several of your car guy friends and invest in Spectra- chrome or Cosmic-chrome system...

 

The struggle is real my friend...

 

I'm going to do mine just like I did the bumpers on my OT Maverick, spray them with silver metallic, then enamel clearcoat over them. It doesn't look like chrome, more like powder coat. A nice satiny, almost brushed looking finish. It would cost $5-6000 to have all my chrome replated.

 

Man......the car is almost there! Nice body work, chrome bumpers, chrome hubcaps. Don't cheapie out with the grill. Like "hotrods to hell" says.....sell something, budget yourself but the grill has to be chrome. We all have family responsibilities and financial hardship but if you want it chrome bad enough, you'll find a way. Maybe start with just the teeth......but it'd be cool to add about 6 more teeth. Then, plate the upper bar when finances allow.
The guy who said grab a 51 grill for your car is right on IMHO. I believe most of those are stainless. I see guys carrying them around as almost every swap meet I attend.
My old 52 had a chrome grill but it was so dingy it looked painted.

 

As a plater for 35+ years , I seen all the try hard shortcuts and none of them are near the real deal copper/nickel /chrome .As previously said ,the polishing is the key . put the best paint over crappy bodywork and thats a similar proposition . No shortcuts on quality vs price .

 

Talked to a guy who does the Chrome Wrap... apparently the chrome wrap is the one wrap that does not flex and bend well. So looks like big money chrome it is. Something to save up and look forward to, I guess.

 

try some gloss black and clear it and buff it

 

Guy I know worked at the local chrome shop in exchange for chroming his stuff. But he was retired..

It worked out well for him, except for his friends all wanting free chrome.

 

Roger that.
Driveway builder.
Here is an idea, why don't ya chrome plate it!
I had that pile of parts nickel plated because that's the look I was after, not because chrome was too expensive, but as fullhouse296 says nothing compares to chrome.
Why spend a penny if it ain't what you really want.

 

Looks good the way it is

Joe