Need opinions on my next side project

[66Fury383]

I was at a swap meet Friday and ended up buying this Pontiac hood ornament. I intend to make a desk display out of it. The ornament will sit slightly elevated above a piece of stained red oak. I want it to give the observer the sense that the ornament is flying.

Here is the question. The ornament has corroded quite a bit, I am considering sandblasting the ornament and filling the holes and chips with bondo. I would follow this up by painting with chrome-like spray paint (Yes it doesn't look like the original, but its getting pretty damn close). Alternatively, I could give the ornament a good once over with chrome polish and stick with the patina look. Which would you rather have on your desk?

Pics:

 

[rkrochen]

Polish I don’t like the fake chrome prefer original. Great idea!!!!!

 

[66Fury383]

Thanks. Ill post after pics

 

[CBODY67]

Possibly some 000 steel wool with the polish. Making sure to have the "stroke pattern" accent rather than detract. Kind of like when you take a FACTORY Chrysler door handle and look at it under direct light, seeing the pattern of sand/finish marks under the chrome (which the repros don't have!).

Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

CBODY67

 

[3C's & a D?]

Looks like the main body is fairly good and the wings are pretty bad. Perhaps polish the body, repair the wings and paint a dull silver or gloss black? Possibly keeping the wing tips chrome?

 

[66Fury383]

Looks like the main body is fairly good and the wings are pretty bad. Perhaps polish the body, repair the wings and paint a dull silver or gloss black? Possibly keeping the wing tips chrome?

I think we have a winner! I like that idea. I have an image of what that dull silver would look like, but I fear I wouldn't be able to easily recreate it. I think a gloss black is a pretty safe bet for sure!

 

[66Fury383]

The Chief has been masked off and will be media blasted when I get back to work on Monday. Hopefully, it will be filled soon as well.