Tail light bezel restoration or exchange

[Cliff426]

Hello, New to the board, so this might be a repeat question, sorry…i tried to search it but didn't seem to find answer. I just purchased a 69 RR 383 4 speed….nice car but the tail light bezels just starting to get slightly pitted. Besides the repro and NOS stuff…is there any recommendations on a place that possibly restores them, or has some sort of core exchange program? I'll probably be on here with more questions as I slowly go through the car in the next few months. This board is a great resource. Thanks, Cliff

 

[5.7 hemi]

For "driver quality" some Mothers mag/aluminum polish 0000 steel wool. For show, you'll need to send them to a reputable plater to be redone.

 

[BumperMan]

If you look in the Hemmings book there's several guys in there that recondition bezels. I called one guy in Minnesota and went to his website, looks like he does great work but it is pretty expensive.

 

[Cliff426]

Ok, I should have the car here in a few days, it's coming in from Canada….have to freshen up a few things…I'll checkout Hemmings for platers…do you remember the guys name or web site? Thanks again.

 

[Goldencommando]

http://www.iversonautomotive.com/

 

[Broken Mopar]

Be prepared to have it shoved up your **** port if you chose Iverson. Besides, all he does is ship it to a chrome and adds his outrageous markup. Had him do some 55 chevy stuff. Never again. Just my .02 Good luck.

 

[dvw]

There expensive to get done. First they strip the chrome off. Those little pits are now 1/16'-1/4" holes. Now the part gets plated with copper, the holes are soldered. It's replated in copper, metal worked and so on. When it's good enough, (and this is a very subjective matter) it gets chromed. It cost me $400 to do mine and they are not perfect. Also they were pretty nice to start with.
Doug

 

[BumperMan]

You are correct Spook, that's the gentleman I talked to. He did sound like he was a little cocky so I didn't call him back.

 

[Meep-Meep]

I got some repops for my 69 RR but don't recall the actual company. Can't be more than one or two suppliers so shouldn't be hard to find. I paid $350.00 / pr and they are very nice. The guy made a comment that they are priced right about that same as having them rechromed.

 

[Cliff426]

Thanks so much guys, got the car the other day at midnight, shipper came down with a 44 foot trailer….about
5 days to get here…it was just above north dakota in canada…..i have to do the r/s one for sure….not horrible but it jumps out at you…i'll probably pull them off as soon as it gets warm around here and see what a i can do with it….maybe the repro is the way to go? Any problems with fit on the repros…or do they seem to be pretty close?

 

[Meep-Meep]

I think they fit well enough. I don't have a close up pic but even from this one they look good.

 

[D575]

Repops 68 RR. Fit well look awesome. MCB I think.

 

[eagleone1983]

There's a local shop to me that does awesome chrome work on potmetal. They did my vent window frames because those were pretty bad. For my taillight bezels I had another shop just rechrome and not worry about what little pits are present since most of the chrome is painted over with argent anyway. There are a few pits that show but I think for the price I paid, it works for me.

 

[Cliff426]

Thanks everyone…my next question….how do I tell if the ones on the car are repops or original? If they are original I would consider having them re-done…but if repops…then I guess replace with new repops…..and if I go repops, are there any brands better than others? Thanks

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I also wanted to show you guys some photos of the car but can't figure out how to post them on these replies…and help appreciated

 

[Cliff426]

i

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I think I figured it out…i will try to get some better ones up soon…have to freshen up a few things,,,,get a black coil…i know…and a few other items…..maybe swap out radials for bias ply…a little at a time…as the dough permits….

 

[tallhair]

Pics came though just fine .. nice looking RR

Man Meep that Red really pops like neon in that pic .. sweet brother

D575 that's really sharp

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There expensive to get done. First they strip the chrome off. Those little pits are now 1/16'-1/4" holes. Now the part gets plated with copper, the holes are soldered. It's replated in copper, metal worked and so on. When it's good enough, (and this is a very subjective matter) it gets chromed. It cost me $400 to do mine and they are not perfect. Also they were pretty nice to start with.
Doug

Looks great to me dvw

 

[Riverdawg]

A friend of my brother's did a great redo of my grill.
Sorry not a great picture.

Nice car DVW. Do you know what the color is or who makes it? My 65 Coronet was painted a "rootbeer" metallic probably 20 years ago. A color more like yours would really pop with the white vinyl top.

 

[Cliff426]

I ended up buy a pair from this place: https://www.monicattichrysler.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4301

Just got them and they look pretty good and seemed to be the best price out there right now for repros. I'll let you know how they look and fit as soon as the weather gets warmer round here and I put them on.



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The old ones weren't so bad, the left side is actually very nice, the right side has some small pitts, so when I replace them in a few weeks, I'll post some photos if anyone is interested in buying them.

 

[Cliff426]