Use original front brake Splash / Dust shields or reproductions for judging?

[Christopher A.]

I glass beaded my original front brake dust/splash shields and had them plated, but they did not turn out so great. Actually, they don't look all that good really. I thought i had them down to the bare metal, but apparently there was another layer of paint that i somehow missed-really not sure how that happened. Anyway, the zinc plating did not take very well and it looks splotchy. Currently i have reproductions installed with no part number, but they look nice.

So, my question is, for judging purposes, would i be better off using the reproductions that look nice or installing the originals with the correct part numbers that don't look so hot???

[Joe L.]

Re: Use original front brake Splash / Dust shields or reproductions for judging?

I glass beaded my original front brake dust/splash shields and had them plated, but they did not turn out so great. Actually, they don't look all that good really. I thought i had them down to the bare metal, but apparently there was another layer of paint that i somehow missed-really not sure how that happened. Anyway, the zinc plating did not take very well and it looks splotchy. Currently i have reproductions installed with no part number, but they look nice.

So, my question is, for judging purposes, would i be better off using the reproductions that look nice or installing the originals with the correct part numbers that don't look so hot???

Christopher-----


If the originals are in good shape except for the plating (i.e. no serious pitting, distortion, cracks, etc.) your best bet would be to have them properly stripped and replated BY SOMEONE THAT KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING. Any plater that would attempt to plate a part that had remnants of paint (or, anything else for that matter) is someone to stay far away from.

If the originals are not in otherwise good shape, I'd use the reproductions.

[Christopher A.]

Re: Use original front brake Splash / Dust shields or reproductions for judging?

Yes, i plan on blasting them again and having them replated. These platers are local and did a really nice job on the parts that i had cleaned thoroughly. I am not sure how i missed the extra paint, but the shields looked perfect when i took them in for plating. However, when i picked them up, they showed signs of blue paint. I guess i managed to get them down to another layer of silver paint and under that silver paint was blue paint. The wheels on my car had the hubcaps removed and were painted in dark metallic green when i purchased the car, so i guess the original owner was into altering the finish of components for a cool and colorful look. However, i am grateful he did remove the hubcaps and went with painted rims because the hubcaps don't have a single ding and look like new.
Anyway, i am having the car judged next week, so that is why i asked if i should leave the replacement cad plated units in place for now or go with the originals. I can sand them down and make them looked decent, but they will be more bare than cad plated. If i install them now it will only be temporary and i will remove them after the judging to send them off for proper plating. My car is from California and there are zero pits in the shields.
Thoughts?
Thanks

[Grant W.]

Re: Use original front brake Splash / Dust shields or reproductions for judging?

Hi Chris
Bead blast them really well. Then wire wheel the shields to give it a sheen like originals. They will look better after plating.
I have wire wheeled fronts and rears prior to plating and came out good as it gets.
I had one time bead blasted them and left the beading effect, replated and didn't come out as nice vs wire wheeling it.
I had a pair of 66 front shield replated gold irrate with zinc plate base. It was wire wheeled and Although pitting shows up the part numbers were still there.
Hope this helps.
Grant

[Gene M.]

Re: Use original front brake Splash / Dust shields or reproductions for judging?

Chris,
Many of the repops and replacements are for c3 configuration. The c2 has a unique front shield stamping. There are repops that are correct stamping config but mega bucks. Many of the chassis judges do not realize the configuration difference. To be correct replate originals, be sure to polish up the bare steel after bead blasting or else the plated finish will not have the proper sheen.