Chrome Preservation??
 

I have been rebuilding a 1968 E-type FHC that I have owned since new. Since I was offered quite a but of money for it a few years ago from Jaguar (it had 280k on it in the 1980s) I decided to totally restore it. I was regularly traveling to England and brought many panels back. I replaced the lower bonnet panel as closely as possibly to original but now see that the front bumpers do not conform to the new bonnet curve.

I understand from Jaguar that the bumpers were originally ground down to match the body prior to plating. Unfortunately they have all been triple plated and now the front ones do not fit and need some reduction at the opening.

Can anyone make suggestions on how to do this without ruining/discolouring the chrome?? I have some ideas but would like more opinions if you will. I certainly appreciate any help. Thanks and take care.

Rob.

You are correct that the side bumpers had to be fettled to fit the wing profile, but AFAIK lead loading of the wing was also used before painting.

Is there a plastic fill piece where the blade goes against the wing ? If there is, then grind carefully with the grinder wheel rotating downwards from the top of the blade, (the chromed surface). This should hopefully prevent the chrome starting to flake off. When it sits right use some zinc rich primer followed by silver paint on the exposed steel edge.

It is this, or rechrome after you've profiled them