Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

The only gold trim on the 55 Clipper is the helms wheel on the dashboard.

Joe -

You might try polishing the script plates with a good all-metal polish, as you'll often see demonstrated at swap meets, but it's probably the nickel showing through the failing chrome. The polish will shine 'em up, but - sooner or later - you will have to replace or replate them.

The piece you've shown looks to be a good candidate for re-plating, but that can be costly and quality and durability varies widely.

You may find good, used, original script plates at swap meets. Except for a few cases, NOS scripts are nearly impossible to find for these cars.

Some of the script plates for the '55-'56 cars have been reproduced, but with mixed results, IMHO.

I bought several "The Four Hundred" scripts when they first came out and they have held up well. On the other hand I had the gold circle on the trunk replated in gold which came off the first time I washed the car. The plater makes the difference.

i would really like to keep the original emblems that came on the car, even if they are not perfect -- she will be in a garage from now on so I think a little polishing will work -- are they super fragile? the ones on the trunk seemed pretty hefty and I'm assuming they are all pretty much the same so maybe just polish them up and maybe just have some nickel emblems? whadaya think?

From what I can see in your pic, the one script looks to be solid. However, know that when these script plates start to pit, they degrade quickly and become quite fragile. Also, some of the larger ones (for example, the Packard script on the rear fenders of the Senior cars) are actually hollow.

If you intend to remove them from the car, be patient, proceed with caution, and work carefully.

Either way, I would recommend polishing by hand only.

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Just how are chrome pieces re-plated? Do they use electroplating or is there some secret alchemy involved that mere mortals would not understand?

I found thishttp://freepages.pavilion.net/nickfull/chrome.htm
-- seems like its just like a paint and body man -- if they clean the part well and do all the prep work its not problem but when they get in a hurry or don't really know what they are doing they could make a mess out of a good part