the cost of rechromeing

[Brandon Metzger]

I hope rechromeing is a word.

'72 LS5

Is it more cost effective to buy new bumpers and the like of get the old ones rechromed. I am missing the front nose bumper and the bumperets. Also my rear bumpers need rechromed and a few other parts on the car as well. I have no idea of the cost of getting things chromed and would like some cost ranges if possible.

Thank you,
Brandon

[Steve Junkersfeld]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

Brandon, This is my 2 cents worth on re-chromeing. It is, usually, more expensive to have original parts re-chromed. However, I feel that, to a large extent, you get what you pay for. A quality re-chromed, original part is a much better looking and longer lasting part than a reproduction. The chrome plating on a quality re-chromed part is, probably, better than the plating on a reproduction. Lastly, the shape of some reproductions, although very close, is detectably different than an original. When I priced re-chromeing for my 56, it was about 20% more expensive than replacing the parts with reproductions - but I still had all my original stuff re-chromed - and it was well worth it. Hope this helps Steve

[Donald L.]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

Brandon,
As for myself, I prefer to rechrome simply for the reason that I know the part
will fit properly and that I know the quality of the plate. I have front bumpers done in the 70s by Martins of Philly that are still in excellent shape and my car lives outdoors under a cover. New chrome parts are not plated to show standards.
It might be more cost effective to buy new but the quality will not be there.
As for cost in 1975 it cost me under $500 for all of my outside chrome. Today propobly over $2500.

Regards,
Donald # 31176

[Brandon Metzger]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

I love this forum. You get nealry instant response.

Not the answer I wanted on price but what I figured for the overall quality and fit.

Thanks guys.
Brandon

[mike cobine]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

Another factor in rechroming your parts is that you know the quality of the part.

At the Winter Regional last year, I saw several mid year bumpers that had been cut and rewelded to make a bumper and then chromed. While at first glance they looked good, you could get at an angle and see slight differences in how they lined up.

The backside (inside) whe welds were not ground down completely and you could see the seam. And in a couple, you could see minute pockets of rust forming because the weld was not smooth and flat, but had minor dips that allowed water and crud to sit and begin rusting the bumper.

So in a few years, those welded bumpers would be rusted and needing fixing again.

And while bumpers often show up on eBay for good prices, this above is the reason I wouln'd buy a bumper I couldn't see.

[Chris S.]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

my .02 - I have done alot of chroming !!
I rechromed all my orig - even if was dented or damaged
I agree with the others - you know it fits and the part wont get questioned
when looking for a chrome shop - you def get what you pay for....
true chrome is a triple dip process - copper, nickel, chrome
some shops do nickel, chrome or nickel, nickel, chrome.
There is def a difference. Ask questions - also the chrome is only as
good as the person that prepped and buffed it. again you get what you
pay for.
I used Advanced Plating and Paul Chrome - Yes they are $$$ -
but the stuff is perfect. Hope it helps.

[Bob Babcock]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

I agree that rechroming is often, if not usually, more expensive, but I think it is worth it. I have found NOS parts, such as C-1 grill teeth & spears, at less than the cost to rechrome. It probably makes sense to use those available NOS parts. Repops often don't look right. I tend to just rechrome the old stuff. If nothing else, I feel better about it. As a general rule, pot metal rechroming will be more expensive than buying new repop or NOS. At least that has been my experience. If the part is not pot metal, rechroming is usually the best bet.

[Karl #35089]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

I agree. When at all possible, re-chrome original parts vs. buying repop. Some items, like emblems (especially if car is not judged) are easier to just replace. For reference, I think I paid just over $700 to chrome all 5 bumper parts for a '71 about 2 years ago. -k

[Jean C.]

the cost of rechromeing

Brandon, for your cost comparison purposes, I had my '64 bumpers and the front license plate bar chromed (copper, nickel, chrome) in Houston for $640. Job looks good, time will tell.

[Ron R.]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

Chris,
What process gives the NCRS "correct" look? I've been told that it's not supposed to be "show" quality. Does this mean it isn't supposed to be perfect?
Thanks,
Ron

[Dick W.]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

The nearest plating to OEM that I ever got was out of a commercial plater who did nothing but bumpers for car dealers. We had to clean the rust on the backsides by blasting. The finish was not as deep as show chrome, but more like original. Became very pricey though, last I had done were $175 a pop. Not as hight maybe as Lemon Grove, but high enough that it was cheaper to buy new bumpers from Paragon.

[John M.]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

Ron,
While I hear a lot about not making the crome too nice to make it "NCRS correct"
I have never had a single point deducted for my chrome being too nice. I don't believe that most judges would deduct for perfect chrome. I have Frankford and Lemon Grove plating both do my work and they both do nice work. Lemon Grove is more of a production shop,and their prices are less than John's prices at Frankford, but Frankford does work that is beyond compare!

Regards, John McGraw

[Chris S.]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

Ron
You are prob correct but - cheaper chrome process esp nickel/chrome - you can def tell - I have seen chrome with grinding/polishing mark still in it or pits - chrome I have had done - when you look into it - Orig chrome I am sure was less than show chrome - but I take the position - I am doing it - I am going to do it right the first time. I guess it is the perfectionist in me.
My advise would be do the best you can afford and get a good quality chromer
with a good reputation.
I would doubt that someone would get a deduction for chrome over resto ??
Happened to anyone ?? - Again I fall back onto "does it appear to be orig" and "what is its condition"- Nothing like shiny chrome teeth

[Jack J.]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

John, off-hand, do you have any idea what Frankford would charge to rechrome a mid-year's front and rear bumpers along with the license plate bar/bracket?

[John M.]

Re: the cost of rechromeing

Jack,
I wouldn't hazard a guess. I only do C1 cars, and I have never sent bumpers to Frankford. I usually reserve them for my pot metal parts like winshield posts and the like. They do great work but are at the high end of the price scale.
Call John Barger at Frankford and I am sure that he would give you a close estimate.

Regards, John McGraw