Alrighty fellow HAMB'ers. Maybe you can help me out. I need to locate a reasonable Chrome Plate shop nearby Austin or in Austin to do some bumpers and other misc. parts. Would like to hear any experience good or bad with ones you have used. Also, anyone in town that does reasonable body work and painting? I need a little work on my 54 Chevy truck body wise and also to paint her in cool Retro fashion (flat black). I am not looking for nothing fancy. Any help would be greatly appreciated. El Guapo
Reasonable and chrome plating should never be used in the same sentance I can't give ya any info on the Austin area BUT I can give ya some advice regard my past experience with chrome plating. I had all my window trim pieces (12 pieces total) done at a "reasonable" priced shop in Canada. I took them there because they gave me a cheap price, compared to some of the other estimates I had gotten around town here, and from what I saw that they did, well it looked like decent work. Well let me tell ya, ya get what you pay for. The prep work was non-existant and the pieces came out looking like crap. I will still use them though as most of the time my windows will be down and the only ones showing will be the vent windows. If I had to do it all over again I would bite the bullet, pay alittle extra (well ok alot extra) and have them done right from the start. The rest of the chrome on the car is perfect because I had it done at Advance Plating in Nashville. I have learned my lesson and will continue to do business with Advance because I'm a firm believer now in you get what you pay for.
I agree with hotrodladycruzr... you can't get a decent chrome job without paying for it. I'm not normally given to dissing another business, but I'm going to say... STAY AWAY FROM CENTEX PLATING... I've foolishly used these guys on two different occasions. I should have gotten a clue just walking in the office... dusty, unlabelled parts all over the floor, obviously belonging to someone. On both occasions, some of my parts came back with sections still showing visible copper. One chrome windshield surround was so badly mangled I've had to not use it. Trust me, even if the results look "decent" when you pick them up, just wait 6 months or so to see what I mean! I have several classic cars, they always are garaged, never outside in inclement weather. I already have several pieces from Centex that are blossoming and corroding less than 2 years later. Centex has two things going for it for Austin residents: 1) They are in Austin, 2) they are "cheaper" than other legitimate platers. If that's all you care about, then drop your prized stuff off there. But if you truly want a decent plating job that will last a few years, look elsewhere! Disappointed in Austin.
It just depends on what you want. I've used Centex, they are convenient and they are reasonable, but they are not a top quality plater. Presently I am using Superior in Houston for my Shoebox chrome. They are fairly reasonable and they do a good job. I had issues with a couple pieces and sent them back, they claim they will make it right, so jury is out. I agree with Hotrodladycrusr if you want really good chrome it'll cost you.
I agree.just check out my grill next time you see itgood work just be patient since they're basically the only place in Austin
I have had decent work done at centex. I have noticed however that you have to do the prep work if you really need it to look good. Another thing I have taken to doing is paying extra to have additional copper baths done. This forces more sanding between coats and gives me a much better product. I have had the same experience with Superior but if I have a part made out of unobtainium then I will bite the bullet and send it to Tennessee. Scott...
Hey Guys.. any updates to this thread? Last post here was in '09. Wondering if anybody has had any recent work done at Centex. It's about time that I get my chrome work done...Thanks in advance.
Guapo, There are several reasons why it costs, to have top quality work done. I'd go with another approach, rather than risk lost parts, poor finish, damage or eventual corrosion from a cheap plating house. The deep high-quality Chrome, uses Cu, then Ni...then Hexavalent Chrome. I was unable to find a minimum 'exposure' limit to this powder-form of plating matl. The inquiry told me all I needed to know, about the risks of having it in a workplace.
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