Chrome cost

[markiemyster]

I am looking into having my rear bumpers on my 65 rechromed. At Carlisle last year the prices were a few hundred dollars each side and a local guy quoted $ 225.00 each. I did a web search and a guy in the mid west quoted me $70.00 each. I'm tempted to try him but it sounds to low compared to the others. I plan on contacting him to check and see if he triple plates them. Anyone have a feeling for a fair price. The car is a driver not a TQ.

Thanks, Mark

 

[atmmac]

i though it was around 100 - 150 give him a shot.. See you at the ale house in a few months. =)

-Andy

 

[Firemist1]

You might want to check out a Harley Davidson motor cycle shop. That is where I had mine done and those boys know how to do chrome right.

 

[Ol Blue]

markiemyster

Perhaps this won't make any difference to you, but another thing to consider is the quality of preparation. Some shops will round off the edges as they grind/buff/polish. If you look at an untouched bumper, there is a "flat" area with an edge at the top and the bottom. I've seen some bumpers where those edges, especially the top edge has been round down so much it loses definition, with no flat area.

If your bumpers are a little weak inside, like some are from rust, they can be ground clear thru as the polisher prepares them. I think $70 is awfully cheap for the work involved.
Ol Blue

 

[BLACK MOON]

Everywhere I have checked is 175 to 250 for a good job. One place was 130 but only chromed them, no nickel? plating before the chrome. He said it was good for a driver but not considered show chrome plating. I hear a good shop plates, sands and buffs, plates, sands and buffs and then chrome plates. Check him out. If its good chrome, at that price I'll send mine up.

Plating 'pot metal' is another issue. Virginia Corvettes does vent window frames for $145 exchange. Does anyone know of any other shops that do pot metal and their pricing?

 

[Sting Ray]

They would have to nickel them, some of the cheap ones skip the copper, the nickel is what you actually see, the chrome is like a clearcoat.

Tom

 

[WayneC]

Black Moon, here are a couple of pot metal platers recommended in various internet forum posts over time:

Frankford Plating, PA 817-841-9875 (quality, but slow)

Quality Pot Metal Works, FL (quality, but not cheap)
http://www.chromeplus.com

Fini-finish Plating, MI 810-758-0050 (does a lot of old-car chrome)

 

[paintdaddy]

I just had a set done by Knox chrome in Tenn and they charged about 800 for all four corners and the center bar.Ive since found out that the center bar is available aftermarket for the same price as a plating job.I can tell you this DO NOT use Bumper boyz in Cali.They sent me two car sets of 68 bumpers a few years ago and they were horrble and some of the mountin holes had been repaired and were miles from lining up.I made them work and they were driver quality at best.

 

[Dinger09]

I've used Paul's chrome in PA and Oldntime chrome. Paul's isn't cheap, 500 for both rear sides on my 64, but the work is fantastic. They strip, clean, remove all waves and problems and then triple coat with copper, nickel, and chrome. The return product is absolute top quality show chrome...better than NOS.

www.paulschrome.com

 

[BLACK MOON]

Thanks for all the advice. Paintdaddy, were you happy with Knox Chrome. They're obviously my first choice since they're 10 minutes from me.

 

[paintdaddy]

I was very happy with them good service and pleasant to deal with.Chrome was good ,no visable scratches and no polishing burn marks.

 

[VetteFinders]

I just went through this process myself and I my opinion is to be wary of those charging lower prices. If the chrome shop is local, go see their work and ask for references. Also, if there is a Corvette restoration shop in your area, ask them who they use.

I used Classic Chrome in St. Pete Florida. Paid $275 per corner for triple plate chrome. They told me between 5-6 weeks, but had them done in under 3 weeks. When I went to pick them up, I inspected them closely and there were a couple of buffer issues which they took care of immediately. Very happy with their work...

Keith

 

[BLACK MOON]

I'm using Knoxville Custom Chrome ( $180- 200) for the bumpers and Virginia Corvettes for the vent windows ($145 each). I'll post the results. Thanks for the input.