Disecting Fastback Vents

[The Dan]

I am in the process of fininshing the interior restoration of the FB. I am getting the interior vents re-chromed. The chromers said to remove the vents from the fiberglass and bring them back for chroming. This leads to my question. What would be the best way to separate the vents? I'm thinking of using a Dremel with a cut off wheel on the rivets, and then JB welding them back on after they're dipped. Does this sound right or I am missing a simpler solution?

Anyone else re-chromed their FB vents? How'd you do it. Any suggestions always welcomed.

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

Have you not taken the vents out?

They unbolt from the assembly really easily. Even the wire-mesh stuff comes off.

Take the interior panel off, undo the 6 bolts that hold the assembly in place. 3 of the 5 chrome parts should fall off of the assembly just when you remove it. The other two are just as simple.

 

[The Dan]

I'm refering to the Interior vents, your referring to the Exterior vents.

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

I'm refering to the Interior vents, your referring to the Exterior vents.

Doh! Sorry man.

I have noticed that they are riveted in there or something. I'll have to look at mine again and get back to you. Luckily I dissasembled the whole system this weekend, so I have them readily at hand.

 

[The Dan]

Cool, let me know what you think.

I'm leaning toward the Dremel for disassembly and JB weld for reassembly. I can't tell if it's riveted, or if they used a metal epoxy? Like you said, it's kinda weird looking.

 

[bifs66]

I removed the chrome vent pieces from the fiberglass using a Dremel with a small cut-off wheel. I carefully trimmed the "melted" over metal so as to leave the stud/pin as long as possible. I didn't want to cut the stud off or shorten it as I wanted something for the JB weld to hold onto when reassembling the pieces. After prepairing and painting the fiberglass, I reinserted the chrome pieces and capped off each pin/stud with a dose of JB weld. Be carefull to make sure the chrome piece is firmly against the fiberglass as the JB weld cures. Mine have been in for 2 years now, through hot and cold weather, and have remained in place. My only problem was in not paying attention what was going on. The dremmel somewhow caught the electric cord and pulled the cutting wheel tightly against my bare hand (which was holding the piece). I now have a 3" scar running across my hand from the thumb area to the first finger. It wasn't as bad as setting myself on fire welding, nor having to have a steel shard cut from my iris, or .....

 

[The Dan]

Bifs,

Thanks for the reply. That's exactly what I was considering, minus the injury portion

You ever think of taking up a different hobby?

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

After examining the pieces at home, this is exactly what I would do:

I removed the chrome vent pieces from the fiberglass using a Dremel with a small cut-off wheel. I carefully trimmed the "melted" over metal so as to leave the stud/pin as long as possible. I didn't want to cut the stud off or shorten it as I wanted something for the JB weld to hold onto when reassembling the pieces. After prepairing and painting the fiberglass, I reinserted the chrome pieces and capped off each pin/stud with a dose of JB weld.

 

[The Dan]

Blkfrd,

I live in Santa Ana, work in Newport Beach. I can't afford to live with the richies down in Newport, so I just drive there 5 times a week to take some of their money.

Blake & Bifs,

I went home last night and used the Dremel with a very thin cut off wheel. Worked great. Patience was key, but I would say that 95% of the post was left on each vent after I was finished. I think it will turn out very nice. Now I'm on a quest for a chromer. The guy I WAS going to use gave me a quote of $250 just to rechrome the 6 vents and the slides. I don't know, but that sounds way too much?

Bifs,

You have bad carma man. When cutting the first vent off, the dremel kicked back, and the cut off wheel made a nice gouge through my right little finger and nail. It felt great!

 

[The Dan]

Let me know what you think of their work when youu get them back.

Buena Park Bumper & Chrome quoted me $250, by the sounds of it, that's not bad. Man, this is getting expensive! They also told me that they would only dip them and that I would have to do the paiting myself where it's black between the fins. So, that price is for half the job!