Folks,
Here are pictures of the bezels I got done at Instrument Specialties:
The total to strip, rechrome, repair two broken mounts, and detail was $615.00. The time to get it done and back in my hands was about 12 weeks.
Those pieces look very nice. Is the finished product worth the wait? Did you get cores to send off or are the pieces out of BB Cat?
Steven
I already had cores from past parts cars and projects to send off. Somewhere along the way, BBCat ended up with a '68 gauge cluster so this will also put it back to original. For me, it was worth the wait. Although it’s been a mild winter here in New England, I still needed to keep BBCat off the road, partly due to the need to repair the roof from the Halloween storm damage it suffered. So it wouldn’t really have mattered that much if I hadn’t had the cores. But now I can’t wait to get the new pieces in the car and see the dash fully restored.
They look great. Here are mine from Chrome Tech.
I have dash envy! How much did Chrome Tech charge to do your standard dash? It turned out nice. What was their turn around time? Did you get the gauge pod center pieces done also? Hard to tell in the picture because I’m viewing it on my iPhone.
Steven
They look fantastic. I haven’t priced them anywhere but 3 months and $600 seems like a bit much. Can’t argue with the results though.
Bill, thats a sweet looking restoration of the chrome on your dash. I had some done for a 66 Hemi Charger I had years ago that came out just as nice. I think the company that did it was Mr. G’s or something like that. Not sure of the cost but $250 seems to come to mind. Granted that was like 1995 or so.
The last time I had this done for CatVert or Cheshire Cat, the cost was around $250 through Mr. G’s. But the number of people doing this now has shrunk to just a few. I recall Paul’s Chrome also being very expensive. In fact, they charged $279 to redo the XR-7 dash emblem but I went ahead and had it done because we had no idea when the new repros would be available. So, to all who consider it expensive, I agree. I just didn’t find it anywhere else for less money and I didn’t want to risk a hard-to-find '67 bezel with Mr. G’s based on what I’d been hearing about them lately.
Just had mine done at Mr G’s, took about 4 weeks, cost is $85.00 for just the drivers bezel.
Can you post some photos? At that price I would have both me G cars done.
Steven (1967 S Code),
I sent both dash halves and the 3 center cones , A/C vent and the dash emblem. Robert requested a $100 deposit and quoted about 4 weeks. I sent them in the 2nd week of January and got them back February 24th so it was a little longer. He called me and told me the emblem did not work out even though he thought he might be able to do it. He did not charge me for trying. I purchased a new one from WCCC after that. Everything was done for a total of $400. I am vey pleased and
hope they hold up for years to come. One thing to be aware of is the plastic chrome does get in the screw holes and I learned that when reinstalling your instrument cluster, turn each screw halfway and then back them out to clean out the threads and the do it again before they bottom out. The plastic parts are old and they will crack.
Thanks. That seems like a good price and turn around time.
Steven
Did that include the detailing or was it just the rechroming?
The last time I talked to Darren at Critter Creek Cougars he said he had several gauge clusters all restored and ready to go. I don’t remember how much I paid for mine (seems like it was less than $600), but it looks great! I’ll try to post some pictures later.
I may have paid too much to have these done, but keep in mind that the $600 was for both sides and included the detailing and some mount-point repairs. One of the things I’d like to see come from this thread is a true understanding of where people can get the best result for the lowest cost. So far, it looks like Chrome Tech might be the best option if the $400 included detailing. When I had my previous set done by Mr. G’s (via JCC), it was chrome-only with no paint detailing. That was for $250, roughly, and 6 or 7 years ago.
OK, here’s a couple pictures. I’ll try to find my receipt and let you guys know how much Critter Creek charges. (and yes, it included the passenger side bezel also.)
![IMAG1487[2].jpg](https://forum.classiccougarcommunity.com/uploads/db3333/original/1X/51a48c9ef3e268adbbb06036fee82f8bdcec207a.jpeg)
CatVert68 - Yes the price included the detailing which was $100. Keep in mind I have a standard not XR-7 so I don’t know if that is more or less. So If you did not want the detailing it would have only been $300. Now I never heard of Critter Creek so I’m going to google them when I log off.
All three look very nice. The one from Paul’s is real electroplated chrome. Are the other two vacuum metallized or electroplated? I’ve heard vacuum metallization has durability issues.
Has anyone used Cosmichrome or Spectra Chrome?
Instrument Specialties does vacuum metalizing.
West Coast Classic Cougars has a video about how they are trying to bring painted bezels to market. It has been a while now so not sure of their status on these. Don replied to another topic when I asked about this.
Steven
West Coast Classic Cougar’s Video
Thread topic about painted bezels
http://www.classiccougarcommunity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=368&p=3692&hilit=Painted+chrome#p3692