do i get my instrument panel rechromed or go with the place repro.if you have gripes about either or please post pictures so i can weight out and make my choice....thank you for anyone who posts
Personally, I would (& will) go the rechrome route although the repro part seems decent & at least the (good) repro applique is made for either as the repro dash is slightly different.
If you want to keep your Buick as original (factory stock) as possible, I would go with re-chrome. For my wants, I went with aftermarket digital dash gages, I love the Dakota gages. My 70 GS is Gulfstream Blue and the gages light-up the same color blue. Another plus-up are gages read water temperature in degrees, oil pressure in pounds, and battery current in volts. VET (Navy).
do you know someone who does the rechrome.i have a good core i can send.whats the price in comparison to repro?.................thanks ed
https://www.vacuumorna-metal.com/content/restoration A board member had a bunch of stuff done here a couple years ago, (including a gauge cluster) and was very happy. The gauge cluster was $320 but that was two years ago. Let us know if you get any info.
I think plastic chroming, master cylinders, & hood hinges are going to be the next rounds of stuff I get done for all my cars. I'm afraid the next crisis in this hobby is these places that do the stuff we can't so easily do ourselves aren't going to be around &/or the ptices are going to become out of reach.
I have a nice core cluster I'm sending out this winter. I'm hopeful Dreeesh has some good intel in terms of current pricing.
Edward, Thanks for the opportunity to quote on your project. Just to let you know we warranty our interior parts only. The prices below are for stripping, plating and or detailing your parts. Any repairs or customization will be quoted upon receipt of parts. We currently charge $35.00/hr shop time for repairs Depending on your computer screen settings you may need to scroll to the right to view the prices. 1971 Buick GS Gauge Bezel: $352.00 If you decide to proceed please print and fill out the attached customer information sheet, place in carton along with your parts Ship the parts to the address below. Vacuum Orna-Metal 11380 Harrison rd Romulus, MI 48174 Attn.: Steve Remove all Gauges and other Components. Send only the plastic parts that need to be decorated. Package the parts well to avoid breakage. We recommend wrapping each part in bubble wrap and using a carton large enough to provide cushion between the parts and carton wall. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. We will call for your credit card information when the parts are ready to return. If you need additional information please contact me at this email address: whitewallsteve@vacuumorna-metal.com or call (800) 827-6762 Visit our website www.vacuumorna-metal.com and click on RESTORATIONS for more information and examples of our work.
WoW, $35/per hour shop rate. I know where i'am going for chrome work, even if its a long way from Northern Virginia. VET (Navy)
That's actually a great price. I should probably package mine up and get it out to then. Looks like it would be ready before the summer ends. Thanks!
Update: Dano, I was texting with Charlie in Detroit. He has used this company and says they are very good. Their main expertise is vacuum vapor chrome on plastics. Just FYI if you didn't know. I thought they also chromed bumpers and other chrome parts on cars, apparently they don't. Interesting they have a machine shop so i'am looking into what they make or repair in their machine shop. For plastics vapor chroming, they are excellent at. VET
Whether or not we do something here wrt a group purchase (&/or whether they're willing), I seem to get good shipping rates w/my UPS account & would be happy to provide everyone labels. I doubt it'd be more than $20-25 from anywhere in the lower 48 to Michigan as longg as the box used isn't huge (obviously needs to be big enough to provide adequate cushion). I'm happy to approacch the group purchase w/them as well if @dreeesh doesn't want to. We could also inquire about under-column covers & radio bezels.
