Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

[Philip Y.]

I have a number matching C-2 which I want to want to work toward getting a Top Flight Award for.
I need to have the bumpers re-chromed. Is there a period correct method which I need to have done? Does anyone know of a company near Austin Texas that does this?

Thanks,

Phil

[Leif A.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

Philip,
I don't know of anyone doing chrome plating in Texas...EPA put most of them (if not all) out of business. I have used Paul's Chrome in the past with terrific results.

http://www.paulschrome.com/

[Donald H.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

Speed and Sport Chrome Shop in Houston. I have used them and was happy with the results.

[Don H.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

Phil
look up to the top Sticky thread, the Indiana and Minn Regional Meet photos; the last person to post in that thread is Tim Gilmore.
Click on his name and you will get a box of links to send him a PM or an email.
Choose one and send Tim a note, and ask him where he sends his stuff for chrome.
He is there in Austin with you, and he knows everything about mid -years, and how to restore them.

I should have added Tim is a real good guy, and loves to help.

[Gary J.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

I just got a set of bumpers back from Paul's Chrome. Needless to say they are a piece of art. I can't want to put them on the car when I finish the restoration. It took about six weeks.

[Gary B.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

... Is there a period correct method which I need to have done?...

If you really want "period correct" you should talk to someone like John Ballard about the quality of original Corvette bumpers. Phases like "a piece of art" simply do not apply. I doubt you would find 1 out of a 1000 NCRS/Bloomington people who would try to re-plate bumpers to be period correct.

Gary

[Joe R.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

But! But! We are not restoring them as St. Louis did them. We are restoring them as "We wished they were!!!

JR

[Bob W.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

Joe your right it would be hard to restore to St. Louis quality as they were just building another GM model.

Bob

[Donald O.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

But! But! We are not restoring them as St. Louis did them. We are restoring them as "We wished they were!!!

JR

They're being restored as they were designed. Just not necessarily as built.
Don

[Tim G.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

Philip, we have a large group of C2 and C3 guys that meet every Saturday and work on our cars. I'll send a private message. We will be at the shop this Saturday. You can see the work that a local chrome plating shop does on the car I'll drive to the shop on Saturday.

Don, thank you for the compliment, I still have lots to learn, though :-)

[Rob A.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

North Texas Quality Chrome in Gainesville does great work. I'm sure the EPA has not found them yet....

[Michael J.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

Yes, you should be careful about re-plating, some exterior judges are pretty brutal on works of art and chrome that is like a very expensive, perfectly flat mirror, NTFP.

[Leif A.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

Yes, you should be careful about re-plating, some exterior judges are pretty brutal on works of art and chrome that is like a very expensive, perfectly flat mirror, NTFP.

Michael,
When I restored my car, it was done to my taste. BC/CC paint, shiny door jams, shiny drip rail under hood, powder coated frame, show chrome bumpers, braided stainless brake lines, Pro6ten A/C compressor, solid state VR (with Delco cover), etc. I drive mine quite a bit (5-6000 miles per year) and I wanted it "my way". With that said, I didn't hack it up or add/delete any options that weren't on the car from the factory per the tank sticker. When I had it flight judged at the Lone Star Regional (you remember), I knew going in I would take a solid "hit" for the NTFP stuff and I was totally understanding of that. With all that said, she still received a solid Second Flight (of which I am very proud) and plenty of notes on things that I could readily fix to help the score next go round. Will she ever Top Flight...probably not...but we'll see. She'll be in Frisco, again, in October and we'll see how she does this time. See you there

[Michael J.]

Re: Re-chrome Bumpers- Austin Texas

Michael,
When I restored my car, it was done to my taste. BC/CC paint, shiny door jams, shiny drip rail under hood, powder coated frame, show chrome bumpers, braided stainless brake lines, Pro6ten A/C compressor, solid state VR (with Delco cover), etc. I drive mine quite a bit (5-6000 miles per year) and I wanted it "my way". With that said, I didn't hack it up or add/delete any options that weren't on the car from the factory per the tank sticker. When I had it flight judged at the Lone Star Regional (you remember), I knew going in I would take a solid "hit" for the NTFP stuff and I was totally understanding of that. With all that said, she still received a solid Second Flight (of which I am very proud) and plenty of notes on things that I could readily fix to help the score next go round. Will she ever Top Flight...probably not...but we'll see. She'll be in Frisco, again, in October and we'll see how she does this time. See you there

I seem to remember all that, I think we have talked about this before........ But I have no problem with it and people doing anything they like with their cars, as long as their expectations match their understanding of all the things involved in judging. And, in addition, if you are happy with your priorities you set for your car there will never be any disappointments. I look forward to seeing you and your car in Frisco, I will be there with my '81.