Re: IML: Need help on Details of '55 exterior trim pieces

["Roger Casagrande" <rdc2382@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

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




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