I used Paul's Chrome Plating in Evans City, PA. Yes, they're expensive but their quality is second to none. I would most definitely use them again.And their guy that does all trim straightening and polishing is one of the best. https://www.paulschrome.com/index.php
There is some stuff out there, but it doesnt have the depth of true chrome in person. I think it would be alright to use on small stuff thats not right in your face like a bumper/grille/garnish molding.
Has anyone tried foil wrap? I have seen some chrome looking foil that looked like real chrome. May work to wrap a bumper.
The rear bumper I made for my Shoebox was plated in about 1980, some pieces were stripped and buffed the rest was either raw steel with selective buffing done, $375. Lasted about four years and some pieces started to rust, mostly the raw items. Was told I should have used chrome polish by some snot nose kid. Had everything redone [1984] at $555. So its been 36 years and all is still perfect. New England Chrome is still around [E,Hartford, CT] I think and Bar Plating [Meridan, CT] was where I had [6-7 yrs ago] the last couple bumper brackets done at $60.00 [I buffed], seemed reasonable and has held up.
Another recommendation for Tri-City plating, I traded my bumpers for a set of re-chromed '54 Ford bumpers and they have been on the wagon for 10 years now, their work is excellent. HRP
I had almost all of my roadster parts and a few Morris and '33 pickup parts done about a year and a half/two years ago. It wasn't cheap but I had set aside the $$. Sure glad I did! This year I dropped off four little parts - 2 headlight rings and two front shock brackets - $350. Yikes! I've still got an axle and wishbones to do for my pickup..... So I asked. Higher state and county fees, higher material costs and higher disposal costs and as he said, "it ain't gonna go nowhere but up". He said that they are really trying their best to make it not a cost effective business. Higher prices aside, he said he is the busiest he has ever been - 10 to 12 week wait, and the shop shelves showed it, parts everywhere. Luckily, he dropped my small order in the mix there somewhere and I got my stuff done in four weeks, pretty much the normal wait.
For special one of a kind parts you have to pay what they charge, but for aftermarket hot rod stuff that is available plated or plain, getting the parts in the plated version is the way to go. Sent from my SM-T350 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
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