65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Interior & Tops => Interiors => Topic started by: Loren At 65GS on July 09, 2020, 01:05:39 PM
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As many know, the armrest base for 1964- 1967 Skylark and Gran Sport hardtop and convertible body styles are almost unobtanium. That said, I'm looking into the process to remake them and wondering what kind of interest there is.
There were two different pieces made with a small difference in the grab area. I've attached a picture of the two for comparison.
We used to have a source for refinishing originals, but that is no longer available. Has anyone looked into having originals refinished and what have you found for quality and cost?
Keep in mind, this would take considerable time to accomplish.
Loren
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You can count me in on a pair.
I contacted two different "metallic vapor deposit" outfits about doing different parts,. explained what they were and what finish and never heard back from either of them. This was last year before the beer flu.
But, I am sure there are places that want the work.
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DEFINITELY interested.
Some have discussed using https://www.vacuumorna-metal.com/contact-us (https://www.vacuumorna-metal.com/contact-us)
I have an NOS pair of bases and an early-take off if a pattern is needed.
This same part number also fit some Oldsmobiles - but I forget that year(s)/model(s).
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PS - the "taller" grab areas is superior, agreed?
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Count me in for some pairs.
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I want to say these were also used on 66-67 Oldsmobile’s too ! Got to do some more research! Count me
In!
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I would take a pair also!
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I would need a pair for the convertible & coupe. So please count me in... :icon_thumright: I'm sure that Paul's Chrome Plating in PA can also re-plate plastic. (412)625-3135
Tony
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There was a guy on another site who was going to make these out of aluminum but that never came to fruition. There was a line up of interested buyers so we might be able to place a good sized order and save money if we get more folks on board.
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I haven’t reached the armrest phase yet but... In addition to plating is there also an issue with the armrest padding upholstery?
I am creeping up on the armrest part, I had my upholstery guy order the top and interior last week. Three weeks for the top and 10 weeks for the interior. I need to look at my armrest, haven’t seen them in five years, however, I know where they are, Angie has them in a box somewhere.
But I’m interested in the project Loren.
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I haven't gotten anywhere with the idea of recasting, but am working with a place in Michigan about refinishing originals.
Loren
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One time I had a connection in the plastic toy/beer sign industry vacuum metalize a dash bezel for me with one of his beer sign runs. Came out nice! Perhaps that's an idea that could be considered, if a relationship with such a company could be fashioned, and a big enough group of pieces marshalled for economy of scale.
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Steve,
That was the process used by the person that retired. Definitely worth looking into.
Loren
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I haven't gotten anywhere with the idea of recasting, but am working with a place in Michigan about refinishing originals.
Loren
Still haven't found any place to recast the arm rest base. The company I sent a pair to , to refinish, haven't been much help. I've had a lot of excuses for lack of progress. I'm calling them a bust.
DEFINITELY interested.
Some have discussed using https://www.vacuumorna-metal.com/contact-us (https://www.vacuumorna-metal.com/contact-us)
I have an NOS pair of bases and an early-take off if a pattern is needed.
This same part number also fit some Oldsmobiles - but I forget that year(s)/model(s).
I sent a pair to Vacuum Orna Metal August 2, 2021. They arrived back today, August 23, 2021. Overall decent quality , but both have what appears to be some dust that is under the finish. I have sent them an email regarding the finish. Waiting to hear for an answer.
Cost was $85 each plus return shipping of $35 and my shipping cost to them. At this point , I have an investment of approximately $240 for the pair.
I also inquired about a group purchase price. They weren't interested in that.
Loren
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My restorer friend has used Instrument Specialties to restore dash bezels, etc. on his Pontiac restorations and swears by their work. He's never had the need to have armrest bases restored. They offer chrome plated plastic services and specifically refer to armrests on their site: https://www.instrument-specialties.com/services/plastic-chrome-bezels/ (https://www.instrument-specialties.com/services/plastic-chrome-bezels/)
Probably pricey, but worth getting a quote perhaps.
:cheers2:
Chuck
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I had mine redone several years ago by a company called Chrome-Tech USA. Located in Madison, Wi. Don't remember the cost, but the quality was very good. www.chrometechusa.com (http://www.chrometechusa.com) (608-274-9811)
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Just checked the web site. Owner retires, company out of business
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Chrome-tech did mine as well. He was our go-to source until he retired.
Onward and upward!
Chuck
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My restorer friend has used Instrument Specialties to restore dash bezels, etc. on his Pontiac restorations and swears by their work. He's never had the need to have armrest bases restored. They offer chrome plated plastic services and specifically refer to armrests on their site: https://www.instrument-specialties.com/services/plastic-chrome-bezels/ (https://www.instrument-specialties.com/services/plastic-chrome-bezels/)
Probably pricey, but worth getting a quote perhaps.
:cheers2:
Chuck
Instrument Specialties uses a plater in MA, https://muellercorp.com/chrome-plastics-restoration/ (https://muellercorp.com/chrome-plastics-restoration/)
I.S. is their exclusive customer.
Might want to ask our Reynolds Buick member, Jack. I.S. is their family business. Can likely provide more details.
The process is called 'vacuum metallizing'. It can be done for ornamental coating, reflectors, or even EMI shielding.
I'm in a similar field, specializing in optical coatings. I did do the aluminum reflector coatings around 20 years ago, that was with a different company.
The preparation of the used parts is very time consuming, and therefor cost prohibitive. Equipment/chamber time for small runs is also expensive.
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My restorer friend has used Instrument Specialties to restore dash bezels, etc. on his Pontiac restorations and swears by their work. He's never had the need to have armrest bases restored. They offer chrome plated plastic services and specifically refer to armrests on their site: https://www.instrument-specialties.com/services/plastic-chrome-bezels/ (https://www.instrument-specialties.com/services/plastic-chrome-bezels/)
Probably pricey, but worth getting a quote perhaps.
:cheers2:
Chuck
Instrument Specialties uses a plater in MA, https://muellercorp.com/chrome-plastics-restoration/ (https://muellercorp.com/chrome-plastics-restoration/)
I.S. is their exclusive customer.
Might want to ask our Reynolds Buick member, Jack. I.S. is their family business. Can likely provide more details.
The process is called 'vacuum metallizing'. It can be done for ornamental coating, reflectors, or even EMI shielding.
I'm in a similar field, specializing in optical coatings. I did do the aluminum reflector coatings around 20 years ago, that was with a different company.
The preparation of the used parts is very time consuming, and therefor cost prohibitive. Equipment/chamber time for small runs is also expensive.
Thank you , Walt.
I have just sent an email to Jack.
Loren
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While i do understand the aluminum 'chrome' coating process, I do not know how they prep the plastic parts.
The old coating is likely removed with an acid, Hydrochloric being an example.
The plastic part then likely gets some sort of primer or base layer to help smooth out surface defects. Don't know if it's sprayed, dipped or maybe spin coated. The surface must be perfectly smooth before 'chroming'.
The aluminum 'chrome' is applied in a vacuum chamber. The vacuum is required to remove contaminants from the atmosphere which would otherwise contaminate the coating. Parts are fixtured and rotated while the aluminum coating material is heated until it vaporizes..... a thermal evaporation process is likely used..... aluminum clips are hung onto a tungsten filament, current is passes thru the filament until the aluminum melts and vaporizes. The aluminum cloud will spread outward (by ilne of sight) and coat the rotating parts. Parts are rotated so all surfaces get coated without shadowing.
A clear protective layer would be applied over the aluminum. It could be applied via thermal evaporation, or it could be sprayed/dipped/spin coated afterwards.
At my previous job, we coated new plastic parts which only required cleaning before coating. The surfaces were still defect free. Aluminum or gold was used to produce the mirror coating (depends on which wavelength they need to reflect), the final protective overcoat was SiO2 (basically glass). End use could be parts for laser/bar code scanners, we even did some prototype headlight reflectors for Cadillac in the 1990's.
This process is also used to refinish mirrors in optical systems such as telescopes.
Wish I knew more about the prep they do before applying the aluminum chrome. That is likely a trade secret.
Years ago I would just wet sand the armrest base and paint it to match the door panel. Now I fear the sanding makes the part unusable for rechroming.
I made a career out of optical coating as a Thin Film Process Engineer, it's been a fascinating 30 years. Loved the R&D work but it gets heavy on the physics which can make my head spin!
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Just curious if anyone has looked at this option?
https://pchrome.com/applications/plastic/
It's probably about the same cost as vacuum metalizing but not sure about results. I'm confident as with most things it's all in the prep.
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Dear Don and mid-60s Buick restorers,
Just curious if anyone has looked at this option?
https://pchrome.com/applications/plastic/ (https://pchrome.com/applications/plastic/)
Thanks for sharing this with us! I wasn't aware of this process. I don't have any obvious need for this product at the moment, but a greedily stashed it away in my collection of bookmarks - just in case! (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/big_grin.gif)
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Hi Don, I went on that website, then I remembered in 2020 when we were all on lockdown here in NYC I was watching past episodes of Jay Leno's Garage and saw a rep from a company showing Jay how to prep and use spray chrome on a plastic part. We may want to google that episode and see if it is the same company..
Tony
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Thanks, Tony. that's interesting, I'll see if I can find that episode.
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I?d be in for a set also
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More research into companies offering a refinishing service for the arm rest bases.
I spent some more time on this and found a couple of other sources.
I used Vacuum Orna-Metal a couple of years ago but found that the quality control wasn't what I felt comfortable with. Even after returning the arm rest bases for having dust in the finish. The re-done bases had dust, just in a different place.
Today's search turned up a couple of other sources. I sent pictures to them and received price quotes.
One is M&M Metalizing Sales out of Westminster, CA. Their quote is $75.00ea, 2 to 3 weeks +shipping of $35.00. After stumbling upon a couple of reviews, this looks like a company to stay away from.
The other is Instrument-Specialties, Inc. Their reply is, Figure $160 - $210 a unit to strip, re-chrome and install new reflectors depending on condition.
From a thread on v8Buick, another possibility is G CAR out of Chattaroy, Washington.
Loren
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Hi Loren, You might want to give Paul's Chrome Plating in Mars PA a call 800-245-8679 they were doing vacuum metalizing several years ago, they may still provide the service ?
Tony
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Thanks Tony,
I hadn't thought of Paul's.
Loren
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These are now being reproduced by Cars!
https://oldbuickparts.com/product/1964-1967-buick-front-arm-rest-assembly-14/