Side Window Pillar

[rtg]

Quick question - were the door window pillars originally chromed or polished and lacquered? Was thinking of getting pillars, badges and petrol cap chromed but just received first quote at £750 and wondering if they have lost a decimal place! How much would this cost to get chromed?
Cheers, Richard.

[RayTVR]

Welcome to the forum

Window frames are alloy and I've only ever seen them this way so pretty certain they were'nt chromed.

[mk1fan]

Best of luck trying to re-chrome the petrol filler cap too.

[v8s4me]

Save your money! The window frames will come up nicely with Solvol (other metal polishes are available) The badges and petrol cap are made from a nasty alloy which decays badly and makes re-chroming difficult, if not impossible. You would be better off buying new badges and wait for TVR Parts to (hopefully) get the petrol caps re-manufactured.

[rtg]

Many thanks all for the help - I'll give the Solvol a go. The pillars seems to have some coating layer which is starting to come away - It could be a lacquer coat or areas of oxidation.

With the badges, I've got a couple of chrome paints which I'll try out before buying replacements.

Cheers, Richard.

[phillpot]

I'm told Wadpol is "the business" but if there is some kind or lacquer on them you'll be polishing for ever if you don't get that off first!


Badges can be bought but, as said, fuel caps cannot be re-plated.

[v8s4me]

rtg said:

..... The pillars seems to have some coating layer which is starting to come away - It could be a lacquer coat or areas of oxidation....

If it's flaky and slightly yellow, it will probably be old lacquer. Use 0000 wire wool and the metal polish of your choice with lots of elbow grease. Try not to rub the rubbers though.

[v8s4me]

Re the petrol cap; would this fit?

[XK140]

v8s4me said:

Re the petrol cap; would this fit?

It could be made to fit,but quite a bit involved and it would end up above the level of the wing.
You would need the neck that goes with it (from a Scim,Lotus and others).the cap attaches to a bracket on the neck by a roll pin.Then you would need a grommet to go round the neck to fill the gap where it goes through the wing.
All a bit problematical.
I agree it is a nice period looking cap and not too expensive.

[v8s4me]

Thank's for the heads-up Adrian.

[greymrj]

v8s4me said:

If it's flaky and slightly yellow, it will probably be old lacquer. Use 0000 wire wool and the metal polish of your choice with lots of elbow grease. Try not to rub the rubbers though.

CAREFULLY use some thinners on a rag to get most of it off. Obviously care not to get the thinners on anything else. Will save a lot of elbow grease, then on to the wire wool. Brillo pads are really good, the soap in them really helps.

[rtg]

Brillo pads - I forgot about them! - I'll give those a try along with wire wool and thinners. I'm taking the doors off anyway (hanging/sagging and broken wing mirror issues) so I'll remove these and clean in isolation. Thanks all.

[v8s4me]

As you'll be taking the frames off the car, you might as well use some of the money you have saved on the chroming and treat yourself to a little bench grinder with a buffing wheel attachment.