What would it cost?

[73bluebird]

I'm considering having the plastic woodgrain rallye gauge cluster and the dash panel insert pieces on my '73 Road Runner repainted and rechromed. I know that Instrument Specialities does this, but they want you to send in your parts before they give you a quote. Has anyone had this done and about what did it cost? I don't want to go through the hassle of carefully packaging and shipping my parts out just to learn that the process costs more than I'd care to spend and be out the cost of shipping. Any ballpark estimates would be appreciated so that I can decided whether to continue with this process or just give up on the idea. Thanks!

 

[RustyRatRod]

I have been in that situation before. Not with instrument bezels, though. I would not relent and send in my items until I was given a rough estimate. If they will not do that, I would be wary. They plate and paint instrument panels for a living and they cannot give a rough estimate? Fishy.

I did look on their site and it says their evaluation is totally free. So, all you'd be out is shipping if you decided not to use their services. I reckon maybe they figure if the shippin is gonna scare you, maybe you ain't got no business worryin about restorin your instrument panel.

 

[iraqivet01]

If they are well known, I have no problem. Shipped my hood nests to a place back east for an estimate to repair some diecast. I refused their offer, and they shipped them back at no cost.

 

[super-bee_ski]

A "good Bud" of mine sent his in. He said it was (is) pricey but it looks very good.
His car: a 1968 Factory Merc Cougar 427.
Again, he spent the money and he said it was worth it.
Now, he is FRUGAL, but he had "Instrument Specialties" do the job and he is satisfied.

I think it boils down to: Choice.
Who else does it.
Also, they guranteee the shipping insurance when it is completed.

 

[RustyRatRod]

If they are well known, I have no problem. Shipped my hood nests to a place back east for an estimate to repair some diecast. I refused their offer, and they shipped them back at no cost.

Did you go to the web site? Looks very professional. As long as I got good vibes talking to them on the phone, I'd do it. I mean.....either you want your instrument panel fix or you don't, right? lol

 

[73bluebird]

I am not questioning the job of Instrument Specialties as I have seen their work first hand in their booth at Carlisle. My question is strictly what is a ballpark cost to have this done? If it's a few hundred bucks I'd be in, but if it's closer to a thousand, then I think I'll find something else to improve on my car. This is basically an elective thing that I don't need done, but think would look great if it was. My parts now are decent, but I am OCD and want things to be the best they can be. I don't want to spend $50 to ship my parts just to get a quote that's more than I want to spend. Sure, $50 might not sound like much, but if it's paying for postage to get a quote vs. spending it on some smaller parts, I'd prefer saving it for other parts that will help me to make progress on my restoration.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Then basically, I guess you are wanting special treatment. You want something that they say they do not offer. The instructions on their site are pretty clear. Sorta like somebody comin here for a transmission check out. We charge 75 dollars flat rate to check one out. When the customer okays us to fix it, we subtract that amount back off the bill. If they decide not to, we at least have something to show for our time. Yet somehow, people want us to check it out for free everytime. Businesses caint work for free. If you don't want to foot the bill for shippin, then I reckon you ain't serious enough to get the stuff fixed.

 

[flypaper]

I am not questioning the job of Instrument Specialties as I have seen their work first hand in their booth at Carlisle. My question is strictly what is a ballpark cost to have this done? If it's a few hundred bucks I'd be in, but if it's closer to a thousand, then I think I'll find something else to improve on my car. This is basically an elective thing that I don't need done, but think would look great if it was. My parts now are decent, but I am OCD and want things to be the best they can be. I don't want to spend $50 to ship my parts just to get a quote that's more than I want to spend. Sure, $50 might not sound like much, but if it's paying for postage to get a quote vs. spending it on some smaller parts, I'd prefer saving it for other parts that will help me to make progress on my restoration.

i wouldn't think it would be more then a few hundy myself
a whole cluster, gauges and all done is like 1200?
all you want is a face detailed.
what could shipping be anyway?
i'm sure i have spent more on 3 lousy bolts
then what your gambling..lol

 

[super-bee_ski]

I am not questioning the job of Instrument Specialties as I have seen their work first hand in their booth at Carlisle. My question is strictly what is a ballpark cost to have this done? If it's a few hundred bucks I'd be in, but if it's closer to a thousand, then I think I'll find something else to improve on my car. This is basically an elective thing that I don't need done, but think would look great if it was. My parts now are decent, but I am OCD and want things to be the best they can be. I don't want to spend $50 to ship my parts just to get a quote that's more than I want to spend. Sure, $50 might not sound like much, but if it's paying for postage to get a quote vs. spending it on some smaller parts, I'd prefer saving it for other parts that will help me to make progress on my restoration.

I think my "Bud's" 68 Cougar was $375
I WILL find out the cost and post tomorrow.
"super-bee_ski"

 

[73bluebird]

Then basically, I guess you are wanting special treatment. You want something that they say they do not offer. The instructions on their site are pretty clear. Sorta like somebody comin here for a transmission check out. We charge 75 dollars flat rate to check one out. When the customer okays us to fix it, we subtract that amount back off the bill. If they decide not to, we at least have something to show for our time. Yet somehow, people want us to check it out for free everytime. Businesses caint work for free. If you don't want to foot the bill for shippin, then I reckon you ain't serious enough to get the stuff fixed.

No I'm not looking for special treatment, I'm looking for an answer to my question. Most places at least give you a ballpark idea of cost with a disclaimer that it could be more or less based on the condition of the piece being restored. I'm not asking for anyone to check it for free, heck I'm trying to save them from wasting their time looking at my parts by knowing up front if it's too expensive. I didn't know that you get crucified here by asking a simple question.

Super-Bee-Ski thanks for your response, I don't think that's too unreasonable of a price for the high quality work they do. As stated before I am just looking to see if this is something I might want to go through with or not.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Not trying to crucify you man. Maybe I'm jaded cause we get so many crapblowers. Did you surf their site really good? They do have a few prices listed for different things.

 

[khryslerkid]

Contact moparsteve636 who's on here. See if he can give you a quote. He does nice work!

 

[73bluebird]

khryslerkid thanks for the lead, I will be sure to check into that as well.

 

[super-bee_ski]

I'm considering having the plastic woodgrain rallye gauge cluster and the dash panel insert pieces on my '73 Road Runner repainted and rechromed. I know that Instrument Specialities does this, but they want you to send in your parts before they give you a quote. Has anyone had this done and about what did it cost? I don't want to go through the hassle of carefully packaging and shipping my parts out just to learn that the process costs more than I'd care to spend and be out the cost of shipping. Any ballpark estimates would be appreciated so that I can decided whether to continue with this process or just give up on the idea. Thanks!

I spoke to my "Bud" w/the 68 Cougar.
Here is what he said:
1. His instrument cluster was a mess.
2. He sent it to Instrument Specialties
3. it cost him $475
4. It took them 2 months to finish it.
5. He did not "pack" it good enough (He thought he did but it cracked during shipping and they plastic welded it)
6. He is VERY satisfied.
7. Yup, he "use them" again.

 

[super-bee_ski]

No I'm not looking for special treatment, I'm looking for an answer to my question. Most places at least give you a ballpark idea of cost with a disclaimer that it could be more or less based on the condition of the piece being restored. I'm not asking for anyone to check it for free, heck I'm trying to save them from wasting their time looking at my parts by knowing up front if it's too expensive. I didn't know that you get crucified here by asking a simple question.

Super-Bee-Ski thanks for your response, I don't think that's too unreasonable of a price for the high quality work they do. As stated before I am just looking to see if this is something I might want to go through with or not.

Yeah, I can did it.
You might not need the "full blown" restoration treatment my Bud with the Cougar had them perform.
Also the "Lead Time" is long. They are busy.

 

[73bluebird]

Wow, that's a lot of work for that price. I had talked to them at Carlisle and got the impression that they were very expensive, but if they did all that for $475 then I might be able to get the work I need done for a decent price. Thanks again for the assistance. Looks like I'm going to have to start getting my parts packaged and ready to send. Hopefully I'll get them back by Carlisle 2013!

 

[CoronetRTguy]

You could always take the part to Carlisle and have them look at it if you still do not want to ship the part out.