StevenGuthmiller

Some embossing powder or flocking for carpets and/or rear package shelves can make a huge difference too. Steve

Where do I sign up? I've got a pile of parts that will need refinishing soon. Steve

Ok, I understand now. I was under the impression that you were contemplating getting set up to do this yourself Frank. That's where the expense comes in. I guess it's a viable alternative to places like Chrometech if this is the case. I would have to hear a few testimonials from customers as to how the finish is & how durable it is before I would dive in, as well as whether or not my precious priceless parts can be trusted in the hands of someone I've not dealt with before. Steve

Yeah, I became aware of this process some time ago. Initially, I thought it looked pretty promising & simple.....until I saw the price tag! I can get a lot of parts rechromed with Chrometech for that kind of cash! Steve

That seems to be the issue with copying & pasting with some devices. I've had others say that photos in some of my recent posts looked like that. Everything looks great on my desktop. Steve

After a little thought, you might want to consider a set of Dodge 4 bar spinner caps. After all, it is a Mopar & they're a very popular "period" custom touch on any custom. The look especially nice with wide whites. I used a set of the Pegasus ones on a '60 Dodge. They're really nice! Steve

I really dislike all of these modern "hoop" wheels, but with the color you've chosen, they would probably be the likely choice. To me it looks a little odd with the wires with the color. To my eye, it would almost look better with an open steel wheel if you want to use the white walls, possibly painted in a contrasting color. Either that, or possibly a simple set of chrome reverse wheels with moon caps. But don't put too much emphasis on my suggestions Tim. I don't have much of an eye for custom cars. Steve

I have to say I love this car.....because I own one! Nice job! Steve

Very nice old Jr. Craftsman kit! Steve

I've been posting from Photobucket lately by just copying & pasting. Seems to work just fine. Just right click on your Photobucket pic, hit "copy image". Then put your cursor over the area of your MCM post where the pic is to go, right click & hit "paste".......Done. Steve

Thought you might like to know Alfred, the forum has an entire section devoted to trucks including an "Under Glass" section devoted entirely to trucks. Steve

I use acrylics almost exclusively for this type of detailing as well. Steve

Isn't that the truth. A couple of weeks ago My wife insisted that I use some of my "Plasti-Zap" to glue some ceramic thing she had broken back together. Just last weekend my magnifier & fine tweezers came in handy to remove a knot from a fine necklace chain. But I guess my wife is trained well enough to stay out of my shop. Or, more likely, she just refuses to go into that filthy cave! Steve

I have it done all of the time. I restore a lot of old annuals & they usually need fresh chrome. Plus, it's nice to remove mold lines from the bumpers. I have all of my rechroming done by "chrometechusa.com" in Madison Wisconsin. They do nice work & I can usually fit most of the parts for as many as 8 kits on 2 trees for $23.95 per tree. For about $50.00 I can get brand new chrome for enough kits to keep me busy for most of a year. Steve http://chrometechusa.com

Most of the smaller parts are perfectly fine. The larger bumper expanses are a little easier to see the dullness. Steve

You'll want to be careful, whatever you figure out. Alclad paint is pretty fragile. It doesn't take much to rub it off right back down to the base coat. Steve

Thanks guys. I was afraid that the polishing idea was most likely not to be a good idea. I know a lot of this old kit chrome is very thin. I'm thinking the "Clear Coat" idea might be a better option. I know Testors clear is probably mild enough that it won't harm the chrome, so I may just try shooting some on one of the custom parts I won't be using to see if it works. If not, I think the chrome is probably good enough where I'll just use as is. I plan on sending a bunch of other parts to the chromer for replating, But I think this looks good enough that it just seems a shame to redo it. Steve

I just picked up a very nice unbuilt 1967 Ford Galaxie & I was wondering if anyone has ever tried refreshing slightly dulled old chrome plated parts. The chrome is in rather nice shape, but is a bit "dulled" from age. It's not marred in any way, no scuffs or scratches, but I was thinking if I could shine it up a bit, I could dispense with re-chroming. I wondered if a light polish with some fine liquid polish would do the trick, or possibly shooting the parts with a coat of clear. I'm a little concerned that polishing would either scratch it up, or take off the plating, & I'm unsure whether clear coating would do anything. Anybody ever tried this or have any other ideas? Steve

I don't spend a lot on buying modern kits & stuff. Most of my budget goes towards paint & supplies. That way I can save up to buy the stuff that I really want! When I bid on a kit, I submit one bid. I bid as much as I'm willing to pay. If someone else gets it, which is most of the time, so be it. Once in a while I get lucky & wind up getting something for less than I expected to pay. Steve

Pretty much the last of my real "Holy Grail" kits, I picked up this unbuilt '67 Galaxie kit on ebay for a pretty decent price. The kit is totally unstarted & complete, minus a few custom & racing parts. It's in A-1 condition & being as an unbuilt '67 Galaxie kit in this shape can run well over $300.00, I think I did pretty well getting this one for half that. Steve

That's quite interesting to say the least! I'm interested to see how you tackle that back glass! By the way, with the site being a little messed up after the switch to the new format, I've been just copying & pasting photos from Photobucket to the site just right click on the photo itself & click "Copy Image". Then right click on your post & hit paste & they'll pop right in. Steve

Get the boy to do the little stuff! I'm guessing his eyes are better. Steve

You just never know. Every day & every auction is different. I saw a built Johan '61 Cadillac sell for $342.00 last night! Granted, it was a nice built kit, but I've personally bought unbuilt kits that were just as nice & just as rare for a fraction of that! You just have to keep your eyes peeled. Finding an auction that ends in the middle of the day on a week day can help a bunch as well. Steve

Might not be a bad idea to start out with a simpler kit. One of the "annual" style kits, like the AMT '63 Ford, '64 Mercury, '62 Buick, something along those lines. There's a lot less engine & chassis parts to deal with & it might be a good way to get your feet wet. You could go a step further & do one of the "curbside" style kits like the AMT '61 or '64 Ford. No engine to deal with at all with one of those. Steve

I love the '58 Plymouths! Don't forget, if you're building a Christine replica, you need the white top. Steve