Dull kit chrome

[hedotwo]

Is it possible for kit chrome to dull over time?  I've seen an AMT kit from the mid 60's where everything looked mint but the chrome tree looked as though it'd be sprayed with Dullcote.  I've never seen that before.

[Snake45]

Some of it came that way originally. And yes, I've seen it dull over the years too. Not always, but sometimes. 

[slusher]

I have built models 28 years old that still perfect. I keep all in sealed cases. I remember years ago many AMT.kits had dulll and some tarnished looking chrome.

[hedotwo]

I wonder what might cause it, or maybe just slipped past the quality inspectors at the AMT factory.  It just looks like it was sprayed with dulcote but it's evenly dulled on both sides of the trees.  

[keyser]

1967 was the primary year the chrome was super dull. MIB 67 Galaxie HT and CVT both dull, same with 67 Impala CVT. All unopened. Also a 428 Fairlane, and one 65 Fairlane I have. 

No idea why. Sent for rechrome on most. I'd guess bad clearcoat, the vac plating looks even, no bubbles, etc. 

[hedotwo]

The kit I'm referring to is an AMT '66 Impala.  Kit is mint otherwise.  I can deal with it, just curious  If it was something people knew about.

Thanks

[Snake45]

36 minutes ago, keyser said:

1967 was the primary year the chrome was super dull. MIB 67 Galaxie HT and CVT both dull, same with 67 Impala CVT. All unopened. Also a 428 Fairlane, and one 65 Fairlane I have. 

No idea why. Sent for rechrome on most. I'd guess bad clearcoat, the vac plating looks even, no bubbles, etc. 

I have a couple '69s with not-great chrome, too. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, keyser said:

1967 was the primary year the chrome was super dull. MIB 67 Galaxie HT and CVT both dull, same with 67 Impala CVT. All unopened. Also a 428 Fairlane, and one 65 Fairlane I have. 

No idea why. Sent for rechrome on most. I'd guess bad clearcoat, the vac plating looks even, no bubbles, etc. 

I can attest to that.

My '67 Galaxie kit was exactly the same.

 

I re-chromed some of the parts, but left some dull as they seemed to do a very good job of representing stainless steel, like the hubcaps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

[stavanzer]

I've had chrome turn gold, inside that plastic bag on a couple of 1980's MPC kits.

[Deuces ll]

I have a Revell '64 Thunderbolt kit that came in a plain white box and the chrome tree is like that....