I haven't been real impressed with many chrome plating jobs done recently... I guess the chemicals to do it right aren't available anymore, is what I've heard... with that in mind, plus the cost of having it done, I guess I'm surprised not to see more nickel around, since nickel seems a lot cheaper and easier to do. Anyone nickel out a car instead of chrome? What's it look like? Why wouldn't a guy do that instead of a ****py chrome job? I'm coming up on needing some brightwork done and I'm thinking about going nickel instead of chrome.
@DDDenny show him yer nickels. Just remember, chrome is the clear coat that keeps the nickel from tarnishing. Buy stock in Mothers Metal polish and nickel plate away.
Nickle look great. Needs more up keep The high end chrome shops still do great plating. Ya get what ya pay for.
I own some vintage jukeboxes, they are indeed nickel plated but they also live indoors, in climate-controlled settings. I have never seen old vintage nickel on a street driven hot rod. Hard to say how it would hold up to road conditions.
I built this Tub back in the 80's, had a buddy that worked in a plating shop that only did nickel. He prepped and plated the suspension parts for me, and it had a rich gold tint.
Dude, never quote me. I have no idea what I am talking about most of the time. My chrome shop told me that once and I logged it away. Perhaps it is more of a metaphor? Chrome being akin to clear coat over base? I have no clue.
Lots of early cars had nickel. European sports cars as well. Chrome was probably showing up in the late 20s. But don’t quote me on that. This roadster, if memory serves me correct, has nickle plated bright work Nickle has a cool look. But you see the nickle when you look at chrome anyway.
I used to gold plate and yes chrome is the clear coat I would have to strip the chrome down to the nickel then plate the gold .
I like the yellowish glow of nickel, not as strong as the chrome. Most early (pre 30's?) had lots of nickel, and if you keep it polished, still looks good. It is pretty thin, so harsh abrasives tend to wear through quickly. Another plus for nickel plating is you can do it at home without any of those chemicals which make you grow a testicle from your ear.
Chrome is indeed clear but it has a blueish hue. And after the br*** era cam e the nickel plating for a few years until chrome showed. Chrome was like crack.....really nice and then you realize you’re addicted!
I don't think it saw much weather, haven't seen it for 40 years. Dave Stoner (House of the Hardtops) still has it.
A lot of the cost of chrome is in the preparation and base layers (copper and nickle). The final chrome finish is the easy bit. To get the same standard of finish and corrosion protection you are looking at sililar costs. Lots of platers will plate bare steel directly with nickle but its not a durable finish for ourdoor use. I have had race car suspension parts nickle plated to achieve a vintage look but eventually got rust speckles on them over time.
The Jalopy Journal
