63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

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omc4u
Posts: 83
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2016 4:13 pm

63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by omc4u »

I am at the point that I need to start on the interior restoration and need help or guidance on the re-chrome and repaint of the instrument cluster. Does anyone have any names that have done quality work? Any info is appreciated.
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Karl
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Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2013 6:03 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by Karl »

G'day,
I could tell you where I have had some success with re-chroming some dicast parts, but it woun't do you much good as I am in Brisbane Australia, and you!!!
When I have had dicast parts re-chromed they seem to have a problem with shadow areas or inside a convex part. They can't seem sometimes to get the copper and then chrome to stick. The rear fender trim that goes from the top of the rear fender down to the taillight area, the underside of this part. It doesn't really matter as you can't see it anyway. But in the day, how did the original people do it.
I dropped of a pair of reversing lights off to them, they said that the inside part just before where the lens goes may not stick. They said that I may have to paint it.
I will have to see how it goes when I pick them up in 6 weeks.

I will be following this thread as I too will be re-chroming a instrument cluster in the near future.
Karl.
1963 Thunderbird Hardtop
omc4u
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Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2016 4:13 pm

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by omc4u »

Karl,

I always appreciate the info, I am in the US and the real issue I am having is finding someone who can do the half chrome half paint, they all tell me that they cannot do that. What the heck? How did they do it in the factory? Or is it that they just lost the know how.
jrbudwig
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Location: Orange County, CA USA

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by jrbudwig »

Hello,

Ford chromed the entire Instrument Cluster Housing first then applied a powder blue to the inside and depending on the Trim Code applied the front facing color to the top half of the Housing facing the driver.

Here is an example illustrating the existing finish, viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15685&sid=bee840d70 ... 282084c8e4.

I have refinished two Instrument Housings, both with a Trim Code 56 (black) where I have matched the power blue and black prior to stripping the paint.

After stripping both colors myself, in the past I have sent the Instrument Housing to a chrome plater that I have used for years and then applied the finished both colors as required.

It might be difficult finding a plater that would be able to provide the paint match in addition to the plating.

Hope this is of assistance.

All the Best,

Jonathan
omc4u
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Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2016 4:13 pm

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by omc4u »

Thanks Jonathan, I knew they plated the entire thing, all the platers I have called said that with the new plating process you cannot use self etching primer to adhere to the chrome. What I need to do is find an old Gray beard that still knows the old ways. I found Jon Wright's place in Ohio and hear he is the one to go to. If anyone knows of any other place please let me know so I can call them.
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jhenry
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Location: Wisconsin

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by jhenry »

I can recommend Custom Plating Specialists in Brillion, WI. The are not cheap and lead times are lengthy, but they do excellent work. You will still have to refinish the painted areas yourself. Image
VTCI #4244
1962 T-bird Convertible...DONE & SOLD!
1965 T-bird Convertible...DONE!
1959 Ford Retractable...owned 38 years
2005 Mustang GT Conv...supercharged by Ford!
omc4u
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Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by omc4u »

JHenry,

Very nice, I will give them a call.
comrade

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by comrade »

LOL, when I see something like that I just want to sell what I have and give up. I will never get there.

Just beautiful, who did the gauges themselves?
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Alan H. Tast
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Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by Alan H. Tast »

One important lesson I learned the hard way is to make sure you instruct the platers to pay attention to the inside face of the gauge bezels and not grind/smooth out the ridge for the argent silver-painted ring. I didn't think about this, and when the cluster and bezels came back the ridge was gone! I don't mind the chrome look, but the OCD (obsessive concours disorder) side of my brain keeps reminding me to find another set and get them reworked - maybe when it comes time to redo the Sports Roadster's I'll send in two sets. Then again...maybe not.
Alan H. Tast, AIA
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
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jhenry
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Location: Wisconsin

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by jhenry »

comrade wrote: Sat Jun 09, 2018 3:18 pm Just beautiful, who did the gauges themselves?
I do my own gauge work. I've owned and operated The Clockworks for over 30 years. www.clockwks.com
VTCI #4244
1962 T-bird Convertible...DONE & SOLD!
1965 T-bird Convertible...DONE!
1959 Ford Retractable...owned 38 years
2005 Mustang GT Conv...supercharged by Ford!
comrade

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by comrade »

And the person who did my clock
Greg Dyer
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Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by Greg Dyer »

In addition to not smoothing out the ridge you may want to pay attention to the ring that the three large bezels attach to. If too much chrome builds up on this ring, and on the mating surface of the bezels if you are having them done, you could have a fitment problem where the bezel does not seat fully on the cluster, and will not fasten securely. I am at this stage now and will need to carefully file down some high spots to get things to fit.
Greg Dyer
New Holland, PA
1963 CV Corinthian White/Red/Black top
nbaum
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Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by nbaum »

You might want to pay top dollar for a great original and skip the re-plating. That's what I did. Just too much going on there.
2014 Corvette convertible
1993 Cadillac Allante factory hardtop Pearl Red
2016 Lexus RX350
1992 Cadillac Allante Bright red
1930 Ford model A Cabriolet
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nbaum
Posts: 1209
Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 4:05 pm
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Re: 63 Instrument Cluster Rechrome

Post by nbaum »

You might want to pay top dollar for a great original and skip the re-plating. That's what I did. Just too much going on there.
2014 Corvette convertible
1993 Cadillac Allante factory hardtop Pearl Red
2016 Lexus RX350
1992 Cadillac Allante Bright red
1930 Ford model A Cabriolet
2005 Chevrolet SSR
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