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TR2/3/3A TR-3 Windshield Chrome

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Vaark01

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Hi,

I have a nicely restored 1962 TR-3B with original chrome windshield frame and stanchions.

I have been thinking about getting them rechromed, along with my original headlight trim rings.

I noticed a nice windshield frame and stanchions on EBay and would like to know if it would be much less expensive to buy these rather than getting mine rechromed.

Current bid for windshield frame is $66.98. Seller says it is in nice original condition and just needs a good cleaning.

Stanchions are bid at $76.01. Seller says they are in extremely nice condition.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Paul
 
Good rechroming is very expensive. IMO you would be lucky to get your windshield frame & stanchions rechromed for less than 2-3 times that price, and even then it might not be a good chrome job (poor chrome jobs can look nice, but start to flake off in a few years).

Of course, you have to balance that against exactly what "nice original condition" means. Sometimes it means you have to make allowances for being 50 year old chrome ... and you've already got 50 year old chrome.

For the trim rings, I wouldn't even consider rechroming or buying used; TRF offers excellent reproductions of the later wide rims for a reasonable price (just bought some myself a few months ago). (Assuming your car had wide rims, I'm not too up on TR3Bs.)

PS, don't forget that there are different styles of stanchions. If you buy them, be sure they are the right ones. Somewhere in the forum archives is a nice photo of the different styles.
 
Thanks Randall. I appreciate your advice. I'll check stanchions make sure they are correct. A far a I know, the 3B is identical to the 3A except for engine, trans and brakes.

Paul
 
I see that the seller is planning on shipping it for under 5 bucks in a "US Postal Service Priority Mail Small Flat Rate". That'll be some trick.

I would expect shipping to be more like $20.
 
Paul, it cost me $500 for the two stanchions and the 2 pc windshield surround. This was show quality re-plating. My headlight trim rings were $60 each. Thought you might like some comparative pricing.

Cheers, Tinkerman
 
Dick,

Thanks for the information. Can I get the name of the place that did your rechroming?

Thanks.

Paul
 
Vaark01 said:
A far a I know, the 3B is identical to the 3A except for engine, trans and brakes.
Click to expand...
The problem being of course that very little is identical between an early 3A and a late 3A; including the transmission and brakes.
 
I was planning on a similar rechroming exercise - windshield surround, rear bumperettes, and gear shift lever at a minimum. Will be taking them into a Houston shop in about 2 weeks. My hope though is a lot better prices than what was quoted - those prices are painful.
 
"Thanks for the information. Can I get the name of the place that did your re-chroming?"

Paul, it was done at Knox Custom Chrome. Toll free 888.588.4552 Talk to Jim. I feel they really do good work.

Randy it all depends on the level of purdy you want when it is finished. When you go to a shop ask them what you can expect with the finished piece and how they do the plating.

Good luck to both of you, Tinkerman
 
Geo Hahn said:
I see that the seller is planning on shipping it for under 5 bucks in a "US Postal Service Priority Mail Small Flat Rate". That'll be some trick.

I would expect shipping to be more like $20.
Click to expand...

Not unless he folds them! :jester:
 
Vaark01 said:
Hi,

I have a nicely restored 1962 TR-3B with original chrome windshield frame and stanchions.

I have been thinking about getting them rechromed, along with my original headlight trim rings.

I noticed a nice windshield frame and stanchions on EBay and would like to know if it would be much less expensive to buy these rather than getting mine rechromed.

Current bid for windshield frame is $66.98. Seller says it is in nice original condition and just needs a good cleaning.

Stanchions are bid at $76.01. Seller says they are in extremely nice condition.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Paul: I agree with Randall's comment regarding inferior chrome being sold today as well as jip joint plating services. Good plating is all about the preparation of the surface, cleaning, polishing, copper plating, nickel plating and then chrome, with buffing and polishing in between layers. very labor intensive. The best chrome shops in the country currently have a 1 - 2 year backlog. It seems hard to believe, but as shops go out of business, there are fewer ones for the same work load. There is definitely a tendency to "economize" by skipping steps or lessening quality control. During the restoration of my 3A,going on 10 years, I would keep an eye on everything 'on sale' both on eBay and the major suppliers. Some of the chromed parts bought 8-9 years ago have small pin holes in the plating already. That's for parts stored inside! So, what ever you do, re-plate or buy new, get a coat of good quality wax, something with carnuba, and put a nice coating on the chrome surface. It will delay the inevitable.

Paul
Click to expand...
 
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