I want to restore some parts I have, including an automatic shift plate, and I'm wondering if anyone here knows the best way to repaint the silver, rectangular outline on the shift plate. I know there was also chrome paint used on many of the panels (like the console choke plate), so I want to know where to buy this type of paint and what brushes/painting tools I will need to make this look professional. Any ideas?

Try Bare Metal adhesive backed foil from your local hobby shop.

  texas280 said:

Try Bare Metal adhesive backed foil from your local hobby shop.

That actually sounds like a great idea! I think I might try this myself. Thanks

  texas280 said:

Try Bare Metal adhesive backed foil from your local hobby shop.

Can you explain to me how that stuff works? It seems that you would have to cut the excess off with an exacto knife, correct?

Basically. Its Like a sticky aluminum foil used primarily for chrome parts on model cars. I think it'd be perfect for this application. You can find application tutorial videos on youtube, I bet. I'd look myself if I wasn't working.

For the Silver Paint = you use a Paint Pen. You can get them at any Hobby and/or Crafts Stores.

Carl B.

There are a bunch of YouTube videos! I had not thought about checking there. There was even a video about using aluminum HVAC tape to do the same thing.

Another quickie idea is to use a silver paint pen or a silver Sharpie. I used that on some of the worn lettering on my truck dash project.

Thanks for all the input everyone. Does anyone know if the outline around the gear selector on the automatic shift plate is supposed to be silver or chrome? When it's almost all the way rubbed off, I can't tell what it originally was.

I used a silver Sharpie on my '71 center console and it did a very good job of replicating the original silver trim accents. See pictures here:

http://tinyurl.com/nx2cjo4

Dennis

Here are great examples from the great EScanlon: Door Panel Chrome Trim - Classic Zcar Club Photo Gallery

As long as we're on the subject, I was thinking about the chrome stripe on the door card. Mine has peeled away in spots. I was thinking about 3/8" wide chrome Mylar tape but haven't found any local sources.

Has anyone come up with a better idea?

  djwarner said:

As long as we're on the subject, I was thinking about the chrome stripe on the door card. Mine has peeled away in spots. I was thinking about 3/8" wide chrome Mylar tape but haven't found any local sources.

Has anyone come up with a better idea?

I can't think of anything local, but you can get 9mm adhesive chrome trim for automotive applications on ebay. You could pick up 5m of the stuff for less than $10, which should be plenty.