I just replaced a rear lower quarter panel on my '94 Fltwd with an OE part. I must say, the surface of the new piece is not as reflective as the original. Almost has a dullness to it. Also, the bottom of the piece had surface scratches that seemed to exist before the chrome process, as they were "chromed over", if you know what I mean.

Very disappointing when forced to replace damaged parts, and pay top $$$$, even off the web through GMPartsDirect.

Has anyone worked with a company that re-chromes parts well for a fair price?

Is the piece you replaced stainless steel? If so, it make not have been polished (not chromed) to the same level as the original was polished. Stainless steel highly polished can look virtually like chrome.

Well, I'm not really sure. I don't think it's stainless. It is the "chrome" panels (moulding) around the lower quarter of the mid '90s FTWD.

I seriously doubt it is stainless.

Well, I'm not really sure. I don't think it's stainless. It is the "chrome" panels (moulding) around the lower quarter of the mid '90s FTWD.

I seriously doubt it is stainless.
Do you have a picture of the panel and the piece?

Try some NXT Metal Polish on it, it's only 5 bucks.

Thanks, I'll give it a try. I've been talking to the metal working guys on the metalmeet forum also. They gave a me a few ideas too. I've got the old panel I'm using for practice, trial, and error. The two panels with 12 years of time between them just don't seem to be the same product, if you know what I mean.

Yes they are stainless and probably need to be polished. They are not chrome.

Well, I'm not really sure. I don't think it's stainless. It is the "chrome" panels (moulding) around the lower quarter of the mid '90s FTWD.

I seriously doubt it is stainless.

Code: Thanks. I'll reinvestigate with the stainless approach.

It's not because it needs to be polished. I bought a new chrome part for another car and it sounds the same as what you're saying. The old stuff sort of looks shiny like a mirror and the new piece is shiny too but different. Maybe it's just made out of different metal now.