Pinto Car Club of America

Theres another thread where someone asked about refurbing the trim on pinto dashs and misc trim plates.  Well, rather than muddy up their thread, I decided to put this here for all to see.

Now this was just a practice run....thus the odd ball green color....

The chrome around the gauge bezels, heater controls, dash plaque, and shifter handles all seem to fade away after time.  I am attempting a concept that may be an easy remedy for this.

I attempted to cut vinyl decal strips (the same vinyl used for making signs and banners.  I cut the vinyl to be just as wide as the chrome was and laid it down over the chrome.  Now this was just a practice run, so I used some junk green I had laying around.  Mirror chrome is available...but a bit more costly, and, alas, I didnt have any.  So here we go!

(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/crazybry79/Pinto%20Cruising%20wagon/SANY1404.jpg)
I started with this

and , since my vinyl cutter was occupied, I actually cut this by hand.

(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/crazybry79/Pinto%20Cruising%20wagon/SANY1405.jpg)



(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/crazybry79/Pinto%20Cruising%20wagon/SANY1407.jpg)
Afetr some trial and error...heres what we got!
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/crazybry79/Pinto%20Cruising%20wagon/SANY1408.jpg)

Like I said...its obviously the wrong color....aka.....not chrome..BUT, what do ya think? 

Looks kinda '80s!  ::)

Thanks for the demo! Looks like a viable option - my only question is the integrity/longevity of the adhesive - from your experience, can it withstand many cycles of heat/cold across several years of use? That would be my first thought. Otherwise, seems like a good option, and a simple afternoon project for someone.

Chris

heat/cool is no big deal.  Actually, I forgot to mention, it is best if you let these parts bake in the sun for a good day or two to help the supplied backing adhere.

Good question though.  Kinda why Im leaning towards clear coating mine once as a trial.