Hey guys, Im trying to get an idea what it would cost to chrome plate the front suspension on for a 32. Hairpins,solid axle,leaf spring,and all the hardware minus the shocks. I have never had anything chrome plated before so I dont know what a good deal is. I am just trying to get a rough idea. Also could anyone recommend a place here in Central Tx? Thanks, Scott
I've been looking for a place in Cen Tex too... I hope someone posts a good reputable place to go. Good to see another Hutto person on here by the way.
If you have to ask, you can't afford it. I use Advance Plating in Nashville, TN. Don't have a heart attack when Tom, who answers the phone, gives you a "rough" quote of the cost. 1425 Cowan Ct Nashville, TN 37207 (615) 227-6900
If you find a good place in Austin area please post. I have a springer that could use an update. Johnboy
Another vote for Advance Plating. They are not cheap ... but the work is beautiful and long lasting. Their plating on my 32 roadster is almost 20 years old and still looks great. I just spent $$$ with them on my 32 3W ... and I am very happy with the work.
SPAM alert! I can't help much with getting the parts you already have chromed- but for anyone considering it I can tell you it's generally cheaper to buy new chrome parts than to have new or old ones chromed yourself. Example- we sell a beautiful new Ch***is Engineering 4-inch dropped, drilled AND Chromed axle for $750 outright. I've heard plenty of going rates of $500-$1,000 for good plating of just an axle. Maybe it's a h***le- but you might want to check the price on chrome parts from someone like Riley Automotive or SO-CAL L.A. against the cost of having your parts chromed and see about selling the unchromed parts you have. Is it still SPAM when it's just FREE advice? I ask because I got my first SPAM infraction this week and the post removed for offering to help take Aussie HAMBers parts to the shipper a couple blocks from me for FREE.
That's cool, but I don't want to ship something across the country to be chromed. It would be cool if there was a place in Austin that did it, or in the surrounding area. If someone has a problem with one of my parts, i'd like to drive over there and see what's up. *Jim snuck in there... my response is to Deuce Roadster...
The chrome place here in Austin is generally known to not be very good. The closest place is Astro plating in San Antonio. Their # is (210) 533-7126.
"I can't help much with getting the parts you already have chromed- but for anyone considering it I can tell you it's generally cheaper to buy new chrome parts than to have new or old ones chromed yourself. " My concern with this philisophy is 1: What is the quality of the Chrome process-- 3 step or just nickle/chrome. 2: What quality of polish & cleaning is done prior to plating. A company that wants return work for plating old parts will go a long way to give you a good result otherwise ---- wysiwyg. I had some plating done in Pontiac Michigan in 1974 & it still stands up, just because the guys wanted return business, and that was in the Michigan climate. My vote is use the local platers with a good reputation. Movin/on
Just out of curiousity Jim, is the chrome plating on the axle guaranteed for life? Also, what's the price of one not chromed?
North Texas Quality Chrome in Gainesville Tx. does really good work. Here's the number 940-612-3122. hope this will help.
Not being smart- but is ANYTHING guaranteed for life? Especially something that can react so differently to different climates, care and abuse? This chrome is as nice as I've seen- and I've seen A LOT of chrome starting with the 2,000 pieces my dad had done in 1973 for his two early fire engines- obviously the price of chrome was a lot more reasonable then. I understand the thought of a good shop doing good work to get your repeat biz- but I've seen plenty of the opposite where they ruin and lose your valuable parts and your screwed. That's why I won't take ANYTHING to be chromed. It's happened to me at different shops over the last 25 years starting with my first car. A one-owner '56 Chevy that my dad took in all the bright work for plating. They ruined EVERY piece including all the pot metal and even the bumpers. The car at that time only cost $1,000-, but we spent almost that much getting all the replacements for what was ruined- and in 1983 there were no repro pieces except the hood bird for a '56 Chevy. You could actually still buy a lot of the pieces new from the dealer- and we did.
You didn't answer my first question Jim....well I guess you did in a round about way. What about my second question? How much is an unchromed one just for comparison sake. Yes, anything and everything that Advance Plating chromes is guaranteed for life and one of the main reasons I spend alittle more now cuz I know I will never have to redo it later. I guess if you don't plan on having your car long something like this is a mute point. I plan on owning and driving Big Olds for a long, long time. PLUS, if I ever do go to sell him I honestly believe the resell is alittle better because of first quality chrome. Your second paragraph reinforces my belief that using the best places for the best work a person can afford is worth alittle extra. Advanced did a stunning job on all my pot metal pieces. I have never heard of them loosing or distroyed any piece. I'll share a quick story, my Dad was in my garage the other night and asked me about my window trim pieces, asked me what my plans are for them because I had them done cheaply in Canada and it shows. I told him that this winter I was having Advanced do all my window and door cranks and visor brackets but NEXT winter I was going to have them do all my window trim and now I face the task of taking the windows out of the doors and the gl*** out of the trim and taking apart all the trim THEN reinstalling it all again once they are rechromed. Yep, I could kick myself in the *** for not spending the extra $$ right from the start. Now I have a whole winter's worth of work to do that I shouldn't really have had to. PLUS my window trim looked like **** this whole summer. Yep, learned my lesson and just trying to p*** it along.
Well, you should have said that- that's awesome. I hadn't heard they have a lifetime guarantee- will cost more but worth it. The axle I was talking about is $599- drilled, $750- drilled & chromed- a great price on the plating that's as nice as I've seen. Like I said they used to use a different source but it as it crept near $1,000 for the plating they didn't offer it for a while because it was too much.
I spoke with Advanced and they are 10-12 weeks behind. Im glad to hear someone in this business is busy!! Wonder what start up cost os for that kinda of business?
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