Yes… it’s my response, clear down here at the bottom of this thread. From what I’ve found out, both methods are correct form GM. I’ve been in contact with someone from Massachusetts who is presently restoring my dash for a 71 SS. He states that BOTH the “Vacuum Metalizing” process and the “Chrome Plating & Painting” processes are Correct. He contended that the 70 SS models were plated then painted and this continued up to some point in the 1971 model year to which, GM then switched the process over to vacuum metalizing. My best guess is (and it is only that) is because of the $Cost$ factor. He claimed the if your were to replace the dash of ’70-‘72 Chevelle SS w/ an NOS from GM, that it would be the vacuum metalizing method type of finish for the part replacement directly form them. The exact time of the switch in the 1971 production is undetermined because unknown date which the assembly lines ran out of this particular method of chrome plating style on dashes. The best guess was mid to late 1971, but because of what I aforementioned earlier, it’s just hard to tell. I will be in future correspondence with this fellow to ask where he came across his information.
I’ve been in contact with a gentleman from Delaware, who has judged shows for the NCOA and he stated that chrome plating & painting is simply not the way these dashes were produced, but I’m not so sure this is true.
Out of personal Preference, I have decided to have mine chrome plated, then painted. I really do not know if this was the way my car came from the factory but like they say… “It’s your car, and you do with it as you wish”.
Chrome Plating followed by painting is Definitely Not the $Cheap$ method & it takes a lot longer to have the project finished, compared to the painting method. Then, there’s the question of whether the paint will stick to the chrome plating over a period of time.
Yup, nothing like throwing in a can of worms, eh?
If anyone can offer their experiences and or knowledge, I’d sure like to welcome them on this matter.
Thank you.
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Jim Morrison
71 SS 454
www.chevelles.com/showroom/MYLS51.jpg
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[This message has been edited by MY LS5 (edited 01-07-2000).]