Pot Metal welding/chroming (39 LeSalle grille)

Hi Guys,
I have a few questions that I know you all can help me with. I purchased a '39 LeSalle grille from California and had it shipped to me in Kentucky. Long story short it looked like the seller packed it ok, but the shipping company threw it around and now my Christmas gift to myself has a broken bottom bar (see pics). I am looking into restitution from the shipper and what not, but Can this grille be saved? (brazed, welded, etc?) Look close at the pics at the pitting also, Can it be rechromed if it is repaired? I am trying to find a good chrome shop and got a deal on this peice, but hate the thought of it possibly being dumbed down to wall art because of some jackhole carrier. Any suggestions on east coast platers or what niot would be greatly appreciated!

 

Also would it be bad to soda blast this thing before it went to somewhere to try and fix or should I leave that to the platers?

 

If you find a 'proper' old school polishing and chrome shop they could fix it. I had my headlight rims on my 40 rechromed, they were pretty badly pitted and split, but the chromers built it up then coppered it, and plated it. Really good job, but you need a good company that has the 'old' skills, and it aint cheap. 'Fraid I'm in the U.K so the guys I used may be a bit far for you.
Good luck.

 

Maybe contact Chromeplaterjosh here on the HAMB. He's done some pot metal work for me in the past. Stu

 

Pot metal can be welded and be just as strong as new.Most high end platers can repair your grille.Check other work they have done before trusting just anyone.

 

You can use a product called muggy weld. It works well. http://www.muggyweld.com/?view=home

I have used it to fill pitting and also to weld broken pieces together

 

chromeplaterjosh did this can beautiful work

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272171

 

Repair using Aladdin and re-chrome.

http://www.aladdin3in1.com/products/3in1rod.php

 

is martin's of philadelphia still around?

 

it is not difficult to weld but with all the fine bars so badly pitted it could be a bugger to rechrome and have it turn out decent.

 

another one for the Aladdin

 

Pics of the whole grille for reference on pitting. And thanks for your suggestions and what not guys. I messaged Chromeplaterjosh to get his opinion and maybe a price for fixing it.

 

Email responded to. Thanks for the recommendations guys!