1957 Eldo Tail Light Bezels

[caddy57eldo]

Hello,  I'm looking for some help before getting my tail light bezels re-chromed.  The outer rim of my tail light bezels is chrome, but the inner rim, which leads up to the plastic lens, is a matted finish.  I've seen other cars with bezels that were all chrome.  I don't think these bezels were re-chromed prior to me aquiring the car.  Can someone tell me what is correct?   

Thank you,

Glenn.

[Quentin Hall]

G'day Glen , I presume you are refering to a Seville or Biarritz and not a Brougham? The bezel should be shiney inside and out. I presume that like 90 % of  original bezels they were pitted inside and prior to replating, perhaps didn't get as much love in the polishing dept as they deserved. .  .?

[caddy57eldo]

Hi Quentin,  Yes it is a Biarritz.  The inside is not pitted as you had mentioned and it looks like it was intentionally done that way.  My chrome plater seems to think it was done that way also and pointed out the nickel "shadow" at the edges where the plastic lens would seat in the bezel.  I'm sure if it were due to lack of polishing he would have seen and mentioned that right away.  You mentioned a Brougham.  Would a tail light bezel on a Brougham had this type of finish on the inner portion of the bezel?

[Quentin Hall]

G'day Glenn, How about you post a pic so that we are not confusing what you are talking about. I have a 57 Biarritz and mine is all chromed (though pitted on the inside) and I have never seen any matted variations on other 57 Eldos like what you are talking about.
        Regards. Q

[Roger Zimmermann]

  You mentioned a Brougham.  Would a tail light bezel on a Brougham had this type of finish on the inner portion of the bezel?

As you can see on the picture, the Brougham is completely different.

[Grant Owen]

Hi Glenn, My 57 Eldorado has the original tail light Bezels which are still in very good condition they are shiny Chrome on the inside & outside although the original polishing is not as good in the inside as the outside.

[Paul Tesone]

Glen - I also have a 57 Eldo and I agree with Grant and Quentin . That "shadow" you refer to is more than likely a result of the plater not getting the new chrome to reach that far into the piece . I've been told that sometimes a custom made electrode "jig" is necessary to attract the chrome into deep recesses or odd curves in a piece . Paul Tesone CLC # 6876

[caddy57eldo]

Hi Paul, Grant, and Quentin........Frome what you've all said, alone with two others I know, I'm convinced the bezels are all chrome for 57's.  One last question.....do you know if they did the same in 58?

Glenn.

[Paul Tesone]

Glenn - as far as I know , they were the same in 58 as in 57 ...... Paul CLC 36876