I'm having the original bumper on my '65 wagon re-chromed. The plating shop says that have to cut-off the 6 rivets that attach the shelf that runs below the license plate. So ok, that'll make for a better plating job. But nobody seems to have any idea how to re-attach the shelf piece after it's been re-plated, so it looks original. I guess I can just bolt it back on, but that won't look like rivet heads! What have the rest of you wagon guys been doing about this? Am I just being too crazy about "originality" here? Appreciate any suggestions anyone might have. Thanks!

I don't know if you want to do it this way, but I bought 3/4" carriage bolts(the ones with the chrome rivet head and a square type thing below it to keep it from spinning), took my grinder with a cutoff wheel on it, and made slots for my flathead screwdriver. It worked really well, and the slots aren't that noticeable since they're pretty thin, just to hold the bolt from moving. Just so I know what you're talking about, I'm thinking center bumper bracket to bumper, correct?

Well, there really isn't a good way to duplicate the original because the rivets are HUGE and would be near impossible to install and you'd likely damage the bumper in the process. Just use a good round head bolt (like a typical bumper bolt) and a lock washer under the nut and you'll be fine.

Mike, no, he's not talking about mounting the bracket. The '65 bumper has a separate piece attached below where the license plate attaches. This piece is originally held on by large rivets which are lost when the bumper is rechromed because they always separate the two.

http://heartland.chevelles.net/RCstorage/tailwithtrim2.jpg

Which brings up something in my mind. Back in the '80s when I restored the coupe the first time I had the bumpers rechromed. They rechromed the rear bumper WITHOUT separating the two pieces. When I had it rechromed again during the 2nd restoration, they said they HAD to be separated. It looked just fine the first time around so I don't know what the first bunch knew that no one anymore knows how to do.

Thanks for the clarification and picture, Rich....I had no idea there was an extra piece there. I would think if they stripped the bumper and other bumper piece, they would probably be able to get in the crack with a wire brush, and have good adhesion no matter if it's riveted on. Maybe in the future, just insist it isn't separated? See how it turns out...

Thanks for the clarification and picture, Rich....I had no idea there was an extra piece there. I would think if they stripped the bumper and other bumper piece, they would probably be able to get in the crack with a wire brush, and have good adhesion no matter if it's riveted on. Maybe in the future, just insist it isn't separated? See how it turns out...

No plating company I've encountered in the past 10 years will agree to even try to do the plating without separating the two pieces. I think it may have to do with how the plating process itself has changed over the years. Plating in the past used to be much heavier than it is nowadays, not sure if this is to keep costs down or due to chemical changes in the process due to EPA regulations or what but plating is not what it used to be.

Thanks for the input guys. The plater insists on separating the parts, so I guess I'll get some carriage bolts and have him plate 'em when he plates the bumper. I guess that's the best I can do!

No plating company I've encountered in the past 10 years will agree to even try to do the plating without separating the two pieces. I think it may have to do with how the plating process itself has changed over the years. Plating in the past used to be much heavier than it is nowadays, not sure if this is to keep costs down or due to chemical changes in the process due to EPA regulations or what but plating is not what it used to be.

Acids an other harsh chemicals are used in the de-plating and cleaning process prior to the item being re-plated. Like any liquid, these chemicals will find their way in between (in this case) the bumper and the bracket and it is next to impossible to flush all of it back out. Corrosion then ensues and eventually over time that corrosion will find its' way out from the mating surfaces and beyond - which of coarse will ruin the plating in its' path.