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DANG repro parts!!!!

S

sigtauenus

Active Member
Talked to the painter this afternoon.

Chrome guy went in the hospital so he wasn't able to do my vent window frames before I go to get the car this weekend. Car is pretty much done and painter needs it out of the shop.

So I had NPD second day ship some vent frames, and they are unusable. 1/4" air gap between the glass at the top and the stainless vertical run bar. So I initially ordered a set of new vent window gaskets, and my driver side vent frame was pretty nice so I just had the metal guy polish it. Turns out the passenger side had some scratches too deep and needed replated. So I figured if I bought a new passenger side might as well have a new driver side too so they match. So the paint guy already put the driver door frame together with new gaskets and glass, so then he took it apart and put it back together with the new frame. When you pull the gasket out, the clips that hold it in are pretty much one time use. So I ordered another gasket for the driver vent window. Since the repro frames don't fit right, he has to pull it apart again, rebuild the original vent frame and re-install it. I'm hoping the gasket is workable or I'm ordering yet another. To top it all off, at some point I need to pull those vent frames out again, send them off to be replated, and then re-install them yet again. I'm freaking really peaved that those vent frames weren't usable.

Corvex trunk lid molding fits like crap...standard

Corvex hood molding fits like crap...standard

?? rocker molding fits like crap...standard

Fortunately all my other moldings are original and just had them polished.

But crap man, this is all the shiny pretty stuff that really stands out on a dark car. If the trunk lid molding doesn't line up to match the contours of the lid, you notice it right away. Ditto the hood molding.

If Burton had those rocker moldings done for $300 a pair I'd pay it.

Should have pics later tonight.
 
+1 in the Corvex crap... if your careful, you can tweak the rear molding to fit the contour of the deck lid... On the front, watch for the sharp edges as the ends are formed pretty bad and can cut the paint. Also make sure they aren't too long or off center. The other thing is the supplied screws don't cut into a new hood too easily, so be careful installing those too.
 
Fellow member GTSCODE had an identical problem with the repro vent window assembly for his 67 fastback and finally bought a couple used ones, having them rechromed afterwards. This is what I am also going to do. Yes much more $ than repro but it will fit much better.
 
I really was going to get the originals replated too. Chrome guy went in the hospital though and couldn't do them. I'll have a spare set I can send out and the nicest ones are going in the car just to have it together temporarily.
 
yeah, my car has "less than perfect" original stuff cuz I hate the repop stuff. Mine is not a show car anyway so I tolerate the pits and stuff but it drives my wife crazy that I spent all that time and money on paint and put used original stuff back on, but it fits. Even the dash pad I dyed cuz the repop one I bought (and later resold on ebay) fit like crap. I should have all the used spare stuff rechromed. I collected a lot of used stuff to pick the best. I even hammered out dents and sanded and polished some of the stainless trim rather than but new.
 
So are you telling me that no one makes good quality chrome trim pieces? Because I agree with
all the shiny pretty stuff that really stands out on a dark car.
Click to expand...
The trunk molding is like the first thing that I added to my Mustang, then the wheel well moldings. See my problemo is that a long time ago I got rear ended. Only minor damage, just to the chrome pieces and truck lid. I have 2 67 truck lids to choose from. But I need the right end of the trunk molding and the passenger side end cap molding. I really doubt that this can be fixed. I just took a pic, it would probably be a better pic in the daylight. fd
 
Here's what I did to my vent windows. They were pitted and scratched, so I sanded them down smooth. And since I'm not having anything chrome on my car, I painted them. No report on wear and tear, but if they get ugly, I might get them powercoated.
Crappy cellphone pic.
7985220051_large.jpg
 
just to have it together temporarily.
Click to expand...


I'm not following your logic Sam. "Temporarily" for what purpose?

Installing the vent window frames, getting the alignment... and then the door glass alignment perfect is a PITA. Why do it "temporarily"? I'm not sure that I understand the purpose in having "temporary" door glass installed. In no way, shape or form is it a step forward. It's not like you're "temporarily" installing a pitted outside door handle.... the door handle can be changed later without too much hassle..... replacing the vent window frame will require disassembly of almost everything on the door.


I understand that your project has been a long time coming and you're anxious/excited about getting the car done, but the old "haste makes waste" saying applies here. Slow down and do it right the first time. You can see how ordering the repro vent frames and multiple gaskets has added to the "waste".

If it were me....

There's got to be a chrome plating shop in your area that has a few employees's that aren't in the hospital? If you're in a "rush" to get the originals plated and installed I'm sure they'll accomodate you by applying a "rush order fee".....
 
I had my vent window frames rechromed, they came out really nice. I think they charged me wrong, because it was pretty dang cheap, IMO.
 
Dave, great point, and its an issue of logistics. I'm in VA and car is in PA, and with work and travel I won't be able to go pick it up again for another 2-3 weeks. Which means the car is painted and taking up space in his shop and he not only has to work around it, but work around it and not scratch it.

The other issue is I think it is safer to transport the glass home installed in the door than to try to wrap it. There are a lot of other extra parts coming home too, like trunk lids, other repro stuff that didn't fit well, and I don't want to have to pack it all up for the 6 hour drive home.

I've changed out vent window frames before and its a hassle but not too bad. It may not happen for while and again, I'd rather have the glass in the car than have to deal with finding a safe place for it.
 
"Fast68back" said:
I had my vent window frames rechromed, they came out really nice. I think they charged me wrong, because it was pretty dang cheap, IMO.
Click to expand...

What's the name and location of your shop? I may ship mine to them to have them done.
 
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