Paul;Thanks for the input. Roger Crabtree responded that his chrome was all shiny as well.
I bought my Signature model at the Atlantic City show in Jan/Feb in either '04 or '05. The vendor said that the president of WPC owned the Imperial the model used for a template, and that I just missed him that day for his signature on the box. Therefore, I assumed it would be a good reproduction of the original. I am pleased that the original has smooth shiny recessed areas since it would be easier to restore that surface finish than trying to replicate a textured one.
It's great to get this kind of feedback from caring owners. Roger Casagrande----- Original Message ----- From: "PAUL WENTINK" <randalpark@xxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 1:26 PM Subject: Re: IML: Need help on Details of '55 exterior trim pieces Be careful using the Signature 1/18th scale model as a guide for what is correct on your car. That model was produced long after the original car was made, and in my estimation isn't even close to 100% accurate. The recessed area on the side chrome of my '55 Imperial is shiny chrome, just like the rest of the part. I have assume that it is correct since there is no evidence of re-plating, although on my car, these parts could use it. Paul W. -----Original Message----- From: Roger Casagrande <rdc2382@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 8:28 am Subject: Re: IML: Need help on Details of '55 exterior trim pieces Jan; I will be returning some pieces to Frankford Plating for a re-do. The pieces with recesses have additional bubbles in the recess areas that weren't there originally. As to what is "correct", I've looked closely at the Signature 1/18 scale model and found that the recesses do indeed have a texture. I've discovered that other year Imperials also have polished and textured recesses as well; so this must have been by design. Now I am stumped by what action is needed. Being very generous, the plater did not polish the recesses because the original was not polished (I have strong reservations about that). Being more practical, the pieces with recesses would not pass "show quality" status as they have promised. It will be very interesting to discuss solutions to this issue. Frankford has a motto The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten" Show Quality Chrome Serving the industry for more than 35 years Over 125 years employee experience I can only use their motto in my defense. I am very disappointed in their lack of discussion of what they would and also would not do. Roger Malvern, PA ----- Original Message ----- From: Jan Harmonson To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, December 31, 2007 11:32 AM Subject: Re: IML: Need help on Details of '55 exterior trim pieces Hi It is a little lonely out here in 1955ville. By the way, I installed the Gary Goers carpet kit last weekend and it fit well, a little trimming here and there, looks a lot like the original material, but certainnly a lot nicer, also a lot quieter. Did yhou learn anything about the chrome? Jan in Ojai, CA ----- Original Message ----- From: Roger Casagrande To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:55 AM Subject: IML: Need help on Details of '55 exterior trim pieces Jan Thanks again for your response. It is very difficult to distinguish surface textures on Pot Metal pieces that have been so prone to corrosion. The problem I have is that the indented surfaces have both smooth as well as textured areas. I am not happy that Franklin Plating did not call me to discuss the issue at all. Are there other '55 owners out there that are willing to discuss their knowledge or experiences? Roger ----- Original Message ----- From: Jan Harmonson To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 3:54 PM Subject: Re: IML: Details of '55 exterior trim pieces Hi I may have been to hasty in my response. In looking at my car over the weekend and going thru some original ads, brochures and photos I am not sure if the trim is "textured". In one of the ads it also looked like it may have been painted to match the car. What bothers me most is that there are places on my side trim that are not textured, just smooth chrome. I always thought it was sort of like the grills but now I'm not sure. It really didn't matter to me, I am not a purist, but now I don't know. Jan ----- Original Message ----- From: Roger Casagrande To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 11:44 AM Subject: Re: IML: Details of '55 exterior trim pieces Thanks for your response. Frankford Plating is in Philadelphia. They have a reputation for being expensive, but good. They claim to do nothing but "show quality" and reference work completed on cars displayed at the large Concours shows. I'll reserve judgment until I get all the pieces unwrapped and questions answered. At least there is some indication that the repair work was trying for retaining the original appearance. Thanks again. Roger ----- Original Message ----- From: Jan Harmonson To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 1:51 PM Subject: Re: IML: Details of '55 exterior trim pieces Hi All of my trim is original and looks like you describe, the texture is by design. I have thought of painting the textured part maybe red. Where is the plating shop located ? Jan in Ojai, CA 1955 Sedan ----- Original Message ----- From: Roger Casagrande To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 10:29 AM Subject: IML: Details of '55 exterior trim pieces Here's hoping that some of the '55 experts can comment on the details in the external side spears trim texture. I just had my external pot metal trim repaired and replated. The car was a driver's car with pits in all of the pot metal pieces. I am concerned that the job was not completed properly, but I have no reference. The inner recesses of the side pieces look like there are gazillion little pits while the border surfaces are nice and smooth. The border surfaces had significant numbers of larger pits, and those were corrected. Are the recesses on the side trim supposed to have texture or are they supposed to be smooth? The condition also exists on the inner surfaces of the grill pieces as well as the lower trim at the rear bottom of the quarter panels. I could sure use some reference to either tell Frankford Plating Inc. that they did a great job, or that they left a lot of work undone. Thanks in advance for any responses. Roger '55 Newport, Canyon Tan and Desert Sand No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.17/1177 - Release Date: 12/7/2007 1:11 PM No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.17/1177 - Release Date: 12/7/2007 1:11 PM No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.0/1180 - Release Date: 12/10/2007 2:51 PM ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com ----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com ----------------- This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. 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