Peter S Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 Upfront: the brightwork is dinged and dingy; it dosen't appear to run; it would be a pain to get a title; Lovers of early '50s Mopars are few and far between; It would never sell for the cost of restoration; But it is a complete, straight-looking Imperial with a salvageable interior for $1500. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/916540679133049?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks&tracking={"qid"%3A"6948126180399399433"%2C"mf_story_key"%3A"1109026024562149375"%2C"commerce_rank_obj"%3A"{\"target_id\"%3A1109026024562149375%2C\"target_type\"%3A6%2C\"primary_position\"%3A0%2C\"ranking_signature\"%3A6486805049790955520%2C\"commerce_channel\"%3A501%2C\"value\"%3A0%2C\"upsell_type\"%3A21%2C\"grouping_info\"%3Anull}"} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 55er Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 Lots of die-cast trim there to restore & rechrome front to back, even the stone guards and rear quarter mouldings on the skirts are potmetal making this a very expensive car to correctly restore. I'd imagine NOS trim replacements are unobtanium. That and the missing title would probably be a deal-breaker for most people. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter S Posted April 6, 2021 Author Share Posted April 6, 2021 This is one for the bold in spirit... plus, it's an Imperial Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Jake Moran Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 A nice FREE car. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27Stude Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 We picked up a '53 Imperial about a month ago, these things are solid.. unbelievable how smooth everything opens and closes. Theres a video on YouTube of a green '53 truly beautiful car, the potmetal is a heartache for sure.. my 14yr old wants to build a "bombed out lowrider" its going to be a lowrider limo if you ask me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingrudy Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 15 hours ago, Peter S said: This is one for the bold in spirit... plus, it's an Imperial Absolutely, this is a real challenge. Has to be a labor of love to take this on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xander Wildeisen Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 There are a lot of different coatings that can be done in place of chrome. Yes it is not correct, but can make for a nice presentable car when finished. And can help avoid the high cost of chroming. Some of these cars can have a second life, if fixed up in a different way. Still can be original, just finished out with different products. None of them look like as nice as show chrome, but will have a nice finished look. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter S Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 That's a hopeful note about chrome-like coatings. Are there any that you recoomend for home application? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 ALSA offers a very good chrome-like paint. I had briefly considered this for the bumpers on my '38 Plymouth as plating costs in California have skyrocketed. Trouble is, the cost of this paint is almost as high as regular plating costs, so I went with plating (in Arizona). If someone could offer something similar that was cost effective, I think it might sell very well. Cheers, Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27Stude Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 5 hours ago, Xander Wildeisen said: There are a lot of different coatings that can be done in place of chrome. Yes it is not correct, but can make for a nice presentable car when finished. And can help avoid the high cost of chroming. Some of these cars can have a second life, if fixed up in a different way. Still can be original, just finished out with different products. None of them look like as nice as show chrome, but will have a nice finished look. Besides powdercoat, what other coatings? Here's some of the items I had blasted, to rechrome this car would bankrupt me, its heavily pitted so im leaning towards filling with body filler and just spraying some automotive silver but would prefer something else, I'd powdercoat it buts so pittted. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter S Posted April 8, 2021 Author Share Posted April 8, 2021 (edited) I've been studying the idea of blasting, high build primer, and chrome paint, but I am not sure what's the best topcoat. I was recently quoted $1400 for driver quality plating on my front bumper (1951 Hudson) so I have to find another way forward! Edited April 8, 2021 by Peter S (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27Stude Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 Metro plating in mesa, AZ has been very reasonable they quoted me about 600 for each bumper on the Imperial. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27Stude Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter S Posted April 9, 2021 Author Share Posted April 9, 2021 Not to be a heretic but I also posted the best chrome paint question on the HAMB and got a surprising cross-section of responses. Many folks were compelled to point out that nothing really looks like chrome except chrome. Several folks expressed disappointment with powder coating, which is fragile and easily dulled. Others suggested chrome vinyl wrap as a somewhat problematic alternative. A few liked Rustoleum Chrome Paint, but cautioned it takes 2 weeks to cure. Most liked the idea of an oxalic acid bath, with touch up with Molotow Liquid Chrome Marker or the equivalent, and a sealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xander Wildeisen Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Chrome is chrome. If something was better, cheeper and more durable. Automotive manufactures would have used it. The restoration side ties your hands. This is how it was. That is how it needs to be. That will result in a lot of cars never getting back on the road. I am not criticizing the restoration side, it has to stay true for what it stands for and represents. Coating, painting, shaving and plating. Are all options on the custom side. Plating is all you got on the restoration side. It is very expensive to build/restore cars anymore. Being able to work on and service your cars is a must, if you want to be able to enjoy classic/collector cars. If you can just cut a check for everything, what would you have to complain about. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 On 4/7/2021 at 8:44 PM, Peter S said: I've been studying the idea of blasting, high build primer, and chrome paint, but I am not sure what's the best topcoat. I was recently quoted $1400 for driver quality plating on my front bumper (1951 Hudson) so I have to find another way forward! Be nice to know what state you are in so people could make suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter S Posted April 9, 2021 Author Share Posted April 9, 2021 Virginia - I was thinking more of DIY alternatives but open to commercial possibilities as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supercub Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 I painted some rusty bike parts with VHS ceramic silver header paint with satin clearcoat, after bead blasting and sanding, it came out like nickel plate. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 At a job I had years ago, we had some component parts bright nickel plated after the surface was smoothed and buffed. The resulting parts looked like chrome bumpers do after the thin chrome has worn off mostly but the nickel can be polished to retain a softer shine. Bright nickel plating might be an option for improving the appearance if the car is driver condition, not for show judging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter S Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 Nickel plate might be worth exploring, as we're talking driver here. Does it tend to be significantly cheaper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 2 minutes ago, Peter S said: Nickel plate might be worth exploring, as we're talking driver here. Does it tend to be significantly cheaper? You'd have to investigate the current cost since my experience is almost twenty years ago. Surface preparation is key to the piece looking good after plating. Its a worse problem with pot-metal since repairing the pits is a tedious, touchy process. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xander Wildeisen Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 If you are faced with high costs that make the car not worth it. Finish the pieces in a way that brings no harm to them, and helps protect them from further corrosion. A painting/coating process will do it. Skipping the paint and plating steps, and rebuilding the engine/transmission/suspension. Will get the car on the road driving. Throw the body in primer/sealer and put old chrome and trim back on. Going broke over a few years and never getting to enjoy driving the vintage car you picked to have a love hate relationship with. Will result in a negative view of a hobby/industry. A rat rod, if that is what you want to call it. Can be done on the restoration side as well. Get it on the road, and all ways watch for nicer parts on the internet and at swap meets. Switch them out and sell your old ones. And then cut loose of the car/project when your interests have moved on. Or when the remainder of work to be done is out of your skill sets or ability to pay and have it done. No harm to the car, you helped with some of the restoration. Look at it for what it is. The biggest mistake people make is in the initial purchase of a car. You have a lot of buying power with your money on the open market. Good buys in project cars, unfinished cars and finished cars. Know what you are getting in to, and the limits of your abilities.you are always better off paying a little bit more for a car in better shape. A 5,000 bank loan to help buy a better car, when put on top of your available funds can really go a long way in getting you into a car you can really enjoy. And save 2-3 times that amount of money in the long run. You would not buy a single wide trailer and put granite countertops and hardwood floors in it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27Stude Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Speed & Sport Chrome in Texas is who was recommended for doing pot metal, I was also told he has a very quick turn around time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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