Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

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You are correct. The 1955 used the 444213 casting but it was gold color. You are better off buying a new chrome one and sending it off to get plated gold color. Much better then sending off a used piece.

And as has been mentioned before the NOS gold is not a deep brilliant gold color but more a light yellowish color. I know I was very surprised after having my emblems replated in real gold and then comparing side by side with an NOS piece. I forget the original karat but someone here will know. Just something to be aware of if you are having something plated and plan on using it next to something NOS or existing. You may want to get them all done at once -- or at least the ones that will be very close together all done at once.

When you say anodizing I assume you're considering gold colorizing of an aluminum piece? For steel and zinc-based allows such as die-cast the process would be electroplating. There is an "electroless gold" process but it's just a chemical wash and doesn't have much durability. Any of the major chrome plating shops that advertise regularly in Hemmings and elsewhere typically can do chrome, gold, and anodizing of aluminum; Frankford Plating (2505 Orthodox Street) in Phila is still I believe a premier plating shop though I haven't used them in a few years, D&E in Ohio, Pauls, and the list goes on and on. Though it's generally more expensive and you're low on the priority list, in part for peace of mind I prefer to have my plating done by the shops that service the major premier restoration shops. If you're friendly with someone who owns such a shop, perhaps you can get them to gang your work with theirs and get both fast turnaround and a bit of a price break.

Yes, Nu-Chrome had been in a long slow decline & in the dumps quality-wise for a long time even before their problems became commonly known. I have a friend that prepaid for a batch of chrome and received neither his parts back undone, nor his $ - and that story goes back a year or more.

Pauls chrome seem to have a reputation for quality.
As with any company you are sending parts to- phone calls asking of lead time and pricepoint are a must. I believe some shops will take picture inventory over the net and estimate. This is a welcome process as you will want to send multiple pieces to combine on shipping costs and a complete photo documentation on your end will help ensure you get all pieces back.
Were these pieces true gold plate or anodized from the factory? Was there another process used back then for trim, emblems and plastic? Were some pieces vapor deposited?
Anyone know if the process used on the gold for the 55 clipper frt marker lamps was supposed to be translucent?

Ok . Thanks. I was wondering if anyone has attempted brush plating at home. If these parts were orig gold plated and in good shape this could be replicated. Saw the process online and the video of the golf ball being gold plated.
I am also interested in the gold finish on the 55 fr marker lenses. The "v" was gold and the upper outer rim silver. There is interestingly only clear plastic in the separation wall and i was wondering if Packard intended this "v" to be illuminated with the park lights on? These processes oonline are on the outside of the surface and are opaque . Anyone renewed the gold surface on the inside of the "v" on these ? Does it allow light through?