I haven't had anything chrome plated since the 1980's. I purchased a vintage set of Cal Custom 40-40 air scoops. They're not in terrible shape but the chrome on them is showing it's age and needs to be redone. What would be a "throw a dart" estimate from some of you guys who chrome plated something recently or get it done often on the cost of chrome plating these scoops? Also, do any of you have a place in mind that does decent work at a decent price that I can send them off to? Thanks.
Yeah, I knew it would be expensive. The darned things are so hard to find I grabbed the first set I could find at a reasonable price. I paid $175 including shipping for the pair so I think I did ok on them considering how difficult a time I had in finding a set. I could have held out for the hens tooth set that didn't need chrome, but then they may never have come along and it probably would have been a whole lot more $$$$ anyway. At least I know I have my hands on these now.
ChopTop40 recommended a place that happens to be by me in Houston. I already sent them a request for estimate with photos, etc. Are there any mail in type places that you guys are aware of that are commonly used and have good pricing (good compared to some other places)? I'll (try to) attach a couple of photos of the items in question:
Well, in a strange way that's sort of encouraging. A: Your example is in L.A. I can't imagine a less hospitable place, with more regulations and higher costs for a business like chrome plating than L.A. - and B: a pair of 1941 Cadillac bumpers are a zillion times larger than my two air scoops, they're puny by comparison. Hopefully the cost isn't too bad, and your response is oddly encouraging.
I once shipped in a crate I made, a pair of bumpers and other things to Sherm’s plating In Sacramento for the full treatment. The whole transaction was over the phone. I never had any interaction with them in person. Called and set everything up loosely, including a ballpark price on the phone, shipped everything to them with the condition that they quoted me a firm price after they saw everything. They stipulated that they may not want to do the work and the shipping back was on my dime. I gambled they would do the work because I knew I had quality stuff and they just needed a way out if it wasn’t. After it was done it was shipped back to me in the crate I made. I was extremely happy with the quality of both the chrome and of their service. Top notch for sure. It was the NICEST chrome I ever paid for. And believe me I PAID for it!!! But it was worth it
I haven't had any chrome done since 2010, and then I went with the less expensive place...you guessed it, the chrome peeled off in one or two places. Have fun! I gave up on new chrome, I dig old pitted chrome now.
Thanks Jim - question is how do you know if the chrome you're getting is any good? You can pay more and still get a bad job. I just don't know enough about it.
You need to visit and see, ask others who use them, start with something replaceable, I’ve been using the same guy twenty years but he’s thinking of retiring. Already cutting back on work
Sherms has a reputation of quality. Brizio and other Bay Area big shops and high profile people use them and the car I had the plating done on was a super high end car. There was no doubt the chrome was going to be top quality. The person I dealt with on the phone was well spoken and we both had an understanding of what was necessary. They absolutely delivered the goods on this job. Again, the nicest chrome I ever had.
The scoops are much smaller like the bumper guards I would say near 300 each. I think the finishing in the ribbing might be most of the work. 100% uncover and inspect all chrome when you receive at the shop. Even if it's covers with some fancy papers. Check for blemishes and discoloration. So you can let them know then and there. It's your hard earned cash. It's their rep when it mounted someplace. Make sure you are happy with it.
Chrome plating uses some nasty-*** chemicals like Chrome-6. Handled with respect, they are fine. Mishandled, and you get an Erin Brockovich type outcome. Most places worked that out in the 80’s/90’s. Lots of legislation, more oversight, and costs went up. I have no beef with the price of chrome when I see the hoops they jump through. I am less happy when a plating business cannot manage their orders, timing of processing or keeping track of what they were sent. Cheers, Harv
Here's my $.02, Good Chrome Ain't Cheap and Cheap Chrome Ain't Good, especially when dealing with die cast pieces. Ask to see some of their work on pot metal first.
A lot of the cost is labour. You are giving someone a piece that has to be stripped of its existing chrome, corrosion pits have to be corrected and the finish is now a two or three coat process (copper nickle then chrome) with hand finishing between each process. The original parts will probably have been flash chromed withn no prep and the finish microns thick which was the norm for aftermarket parts. Its expensive but the finish is infinitley better than the original
I am not sure there is still a category of "cheap chrome"! The categories are bad chrome, good chrome, and better chrome; but they are all expensive. As mentioned by Harv, the chemicals used are NASTY, and on the EPA nono list. Chromium oxide is supposedly a carcinogen, and also reportedly causes dementia if mis-handled; thus some pretty tight security on waste-water disposal, etc. When paying for the chrome, just think of the oohs and aahs you will received when displayed, and write the check! Jon
For the last several years on the 28-34 ch***is I built for myself and customers I've used as many polished stainless parts as are available and powder painted the rest, looks good in my opinion. For my customer's that wanted chrome I bought the chrome suspension parts from Pete & Jake's. Excellent quality and priced right. I don't know where I'd go for chrome if I decided to restore a late model. Can't imagine what the chrome would cost for either a 53 Chevy or 58 Chevy Bel Air 2 dr hardtop if ever find a suitable candidate.
The first chrome stuff I had done was in the early 1980s at a place on west Grant rd in Tucson. Got some new alternator brackets plated. Didn't cost much. Not long after, the shop was closed and roped off with hazmat type warning signs all over. Making old car parts look pretty is generally a lot of work, and involves stuff you're better off not messing with if you value your health. I can totally understand why it costs so much to get done.
It funny as I have had and do have a new old stock scoop in the original box Badger and the chrome is not perfect. I believe that the porosity in the original castings was the culprit. The chrome looks good but has issues I would also say the plating will be in the 300 dollar range as well
The thing about chrome is that even if its not done well, it looks good .................till you get it home and the problems start showing up. Bought a set of bumpers from a swap meet vendor who had lots of stuff he plated. Looked great. The morning dew would make the rear bumper look yellow or almost rust colored. I could wipe it off but it kept coming back. The front bumper began to flake in a couple places. The vendor was long gone...........Lesson learned! Pick a place near you with a good reputation and pay them for their quality............
A local guy that was doing plating had two different chrome jobs . The one was show chrome or inside chrome and had no copper plate just nickel and white chrome. The other had the copper plating but was triple the cost …
I would be extremely careful with these if you want them to look nice when done. This will be a face to face discussion. I once had a local shop do a set of 1956 Ford parking light that are made like your scoops. They were ok but had damage behind the grille line where it didn’t matter and was unseen. They buffed until all the “pot holes” were gone and what was left was so thin I had to throw them away because they flexed and looked like **** when I noted them on. Chrome platers are funny to me as they think only a perfect base is acceptable. They grind and buff until they get it. Seriously you need to make them understand what is a rare part and what YOU want. There is a reason “Pebble Beach” type work on non replaceable parts are expensive. This is not to say don’t do it but be careful I who you choose. Hemmings lists plater/restorers that can bring unobtainium hood ornaments back to new. Choose wisely.
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