Tail light resto

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Baz
Posts: 229
Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:36 pm
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat Spider

Tail light resto

Post by Baz »

Ok..down to the last bits for resto...the chrome on my tail lights (plastic) is cracked and peeling. What have you all done with them ? Rechrome ?? if so can I get an email address for a plater. Maybe paint them ?? Any ideas appreciated.

Baz
azygoustoyou

Re: Tail light resto

Post by azygoustoyou »

I talked to a shop about re-chroming the tail light frames and they told me it would cost about 250. ea I then decided they were out of their mind. I've heard of people cleaning them up and painting them black.
htchevyii
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Posts: 1807
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:31 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider hers 1972 Spider his
Location: Hydesville, CA (NorCal)

Re: Tail light resto

Post by htchevyii »

I've heard of people using chrome tape, I used black wrinkle paint.
Trey
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1982 SPIDER 2000, 1964 CHEVYII, 1969 Chevy Nova, 2005 DODGE RAM, 1988 Jeep Comanche
1972 Spider, 78 Spider rat racer 57 f-100,
So Cal Mark

Re: Tail light resto

Post by So Cal Mark »

Denise had hers done, you might send her a message and ask for contact info. I think she paid about 125 each. The chrome tape looks okay from a few feet if you get the surface smooth. I've painted some black and that looks okay too
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124spiderman
Posts: 106
Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:43 pm
Your car is a: 1973 CS Spider
Location: Sydney - Down Under

Re: Tail light resto

Post by 124spiderman »

I had mine repainted in chrome. Yes Chrome painting is available its called Plastic Chroming. They look as good as the real stuff but cost a fraction of what it would to have them re chromed (plated), also, to have them traditionally plated, you need to strip all the metal parts from them because they dip them to strip off the old chrome, which is a chore as many parts are riveted and if you know, once these come apart, they'll never work properly again. A lot of new cars have used this system successfully eg. grills, mirrors, headlights etc.
Apparantly its a US invention, surprised you guys haven't considered it.
http://www.alsacorp.com/products/chrome ... odinfo.htm
owned: 850, 124S/AC/BC/CC,128SL, 125S, 600D, X1/9, 2300, 131, 132, Uno, Punto
I own: 124CS, 500F, Bravo Sport T-Jet
I want to own: 8V, DINO SPIDER/COUPE, ANY ABARTH, '54 FIAT-TURBINA
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Re: Tail light resto

Post by mdrburchette »

That's an interesting idea, but where would you find a shop that actually does it? The cost of the package is way out of the question. I wonder how durable it is. Do you have a pic of your taillamp?
As for having to completely strip the taillamp, you got that right. I had to drill out the rivets and completely disassemble my taillamp before sending it off. Some companies expect you to remove the old chrome plating too, but the company I used did that for me. I was very pleased with the results. I used these guys: http://www.customcoatings.net/

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1972 124 Spider (Don)
1971 124 Spider (Juan)
1986 Bertone X19 (Blue)
1978 124 Spider Lemons racer
1974 X19 SCCA racer (Paul)
2012 500 Prima Edizione #19 (Mini Rossa)
Ever changing count of parts cars....It's a disease!
4babycar

Re: Tail light resto

Post by 4babycar »

They actually sell that stuff in rattle cans too. I haven't tried it but if you are adventurous...... Though, I am not sure the price difference is worth it.

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/killer ... chrome.htm
Baz
Posts: 229
Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:36 pm
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat Spider

Re: Tail light resto

Post by Baz »

mdrburchette, how much did the Florida mob charge you ?? Has anyone used the chrome plate spray kit that is advertised on the site offered ?
Baz
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Re: Tail light resto

Post by mdrburchette »

It was around $150 plus shipping if I recall. You have to be careful who you use since a lot of plastic rechromers only do interior pieces and their work won't hold up in weather.
1972 124 Spider (Don)
1971 124 Spider (Juan)
1986 Bertone X19 (Blue)
1978 124 Spider Lemons racer
1974 X19 SCCA racer (Paul)
2012 500 Prima Edizione #19 (Mini Rossa)
Ever changing count of parts cars....It's a disease!
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Tappy
Posts: 721
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:22 pm
Your car is a: 124 spider 2000 1979
Location: Belgium ; Centre Of Europe

Re: Tail light resto

Post by Tappy »

4babycar wrote:They actually sell that stuff in rattle cans too. I haven't tried it but if you are adventurous...... Though, I am not sure the price difference is worth it.

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/killer ... chrome.htm
i did and its trow away money i can assure you that !!! , the paint doesn't even hold up after 6 months of drying and the results ar far from crome , its more like the Christmass gold and silver spraycans

painting Chrome can be done , but best leave it to the proffesionals
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pls don't see what i write , read what i mean
So Cal Mark

Re: Tail light resto

Post by So Cal Mark »

I looked into the spray stuff while at the SEMA show. Check sprayonchrome.com, they should list their dealers. The stuff is really impressive but requires a 20K investment for their starter package and you need a spray booth for dust-free drying
Baz
Posts: 229
Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:36 pm
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat Spider

Re: Tail light resto

Post by Baz »

Thanks everyone for your input....um...looks like black is the go.
Baz
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Tappy
Posts: 721
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:22 pm
Your car is a: 124 spider 2000 1979
Location: Belgium ; Centre Of Europe

Re: Tail light resto

Post by Tappy »

some even would advise cracle .... :P
FineItalianAutomobile TechnologyImage

pls don't see what i write , read what i mean
mbouse

Re: Tail light resto

Post by mbouse »

20g's 'eh? piece of cake! i'll just take out a loan from my 401(k).... hey, wait a minute.... where'd my retirement money go?
azygoustoyou

Re: Tail light resto

Post by azygoustoyou »

Its a conspiracy. The government took all our retirement money and made it look like the market is bad. :shock: Maybe they are going to start the chrome spraying business.
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