63 Valiant dash

Can the plastic instrument fascia be successfully painted using chrome
paint? The color has all worn off the plastic and I'd like to make it look
nice as I'm sure NOS ones are nonexistent. Any advice?

 

If you're very, very, very careful to mask off areas that mustn't be
painted, yes it can. It won't look like new, but it will look presentable.

Mr. G's Chrome's ad in Hemmings has for years featured a rotating
collection of early '60s Chrysler A- and B-body dash parts, including '63
Valiant pieces. If you want the job done so the pieces look like new, they
or an outfit like them are the ones to see.

While you have your dash apart, clean the gauge faces with rubbing alcohol
and cotton balls (everything's safe except the odometer numbers, which
will run, so be careful around them), and repaint the gauge needles with
fluorescent red-orange from a model/hobby shop.

DS

 

Daniel, what do you recommend for cleaning the clear plastic that
covers the gauges?

-Kirk Matheson

 

About 15 years ago there was a place in Michigan (not sure exactly
where, maybe Westland or Warren) that did plastic chrome plating. Had
the entire dashboard of my '67 Monaco done there including the plastic
part that goes between the door and the arm rest pad. Once that's
done you mask the chrome where necessary and spray the rest of it
black. Looks just like new.

There must be more places like that now vs then (?)

 

The plastic polish that's sold for clearing up hazed plastic convertible
top backlites.

DS