chrome bumpers

[Mel S.]

Can anyone recommend where to get my 66 bumpers re-chromed or is it more cost effective to buy USA ones from Corvette Central?
Thanks
Mel

[Edward J.]

Re: chrome bumpers

Mel factory original bumpers are the better choice to have redone.

[Leif A.]

Re: chrome bumpers

Can anyone recommend where to get my 66 bumpers re-chromed or is it more cost effective to buy USA ones from Corvette Central?
Thanks
Mel

Paul's Chrome or Librandi's Plating...both in Pennsylvania.

[Mel S.]

Re: chrome bumpers

Ok and thanks

[John D.]

Re: chrome bumpers

Mel, I highly recommend M&P Refinishing of Jeannette, PA. Family run business for ever. The Kerin Brothers. I use them all the time.
They have a website.
212 South 5th St. (across from the post office), Jeannette, PA. 15644
724-527-6360 Winter hours. Open 8 to 5 EST Mon thru Thurs. Fast turnaround. They do die cast also. John

[Dick W.]

Re: chrome bumpers

Advanced Plating in TN. Best out there since the demise of Lemon Grove Plating

[Jack J.]

Re: chrome bumpers

Gentlemen, I just checked out Corvette Central's 63-67 USA made front and rear bumpers (4 pieces ) and their price is $2319.00 plus tax. Would someone share their actual costs, disregarding any repair work, to have their bumpers replated by those mentioned above or others not mentioned. Also, explain how the old chrome was removed that is, chemically, reverse polarity, or by manually grinding. I know the reproductions are "thinner" but "NEW", verses replated originals, pitted on the backside. Thanks, Jack J.

[Keith B.]

[Jim D.]

Re: chrome bumpers

The chrome plater I've been using for decades charges $250 a corner. As far as replacement bumpers go, Paragon has the original GM tooling and their bumpers are identical to the originals. If they don't fit your car correctly, it's because of incorrect prior repairs. My current project, a 1965, had the typical 70's mod of removing the front bumpers. I purchased all the brackets and new bumpers from Paragon and the fit was perfect. I had the rears re-chromed and you can't tell the difference between them. Same finish, same thickness etc.

[Michael B.]

Re: chrome bumpers

Who do you use for your chrome, Keith?

[James G.]

Re: chrome bumpers

I found someone who provides a finish much closer to what the factory used,
They will also leave halos by installing a bolt like the front C3 bumpers were plated etc.

I call it "production chrome" as a way to distinguish it from triple or Show chrome.

R& D Plating in Tri cities Tenn.
They will note the sanding scratches and heavy tooling marks and replicate,
they electrically strip the part,
Prep the surface etch,
do a nickel strike then replicate the sanding scratches,
2nd nickel strike -
polish -
Clean
Chrome strike.
Here is a rear bumper they did for very correct 2nd gen Z28 which used some NOS Chrome along with some replated original parts -
The fine sanding scratches are present in the chrome of every survivor I have ever inspected.




The bumper had heavy grind marks like this


Crisp edges, not over polished with nice not over polished profiles.

[Alan D.]

Re: chrome bumpers

Well perhaps the C3 and 2nd gen Z28 were produced at a much lower standard (& yes things were going down hill in later years), but C2 were much better.
I have an original (came on my 64) which shows excellent quality on top sides, no scratches, no grind marks, no sand marks.
The underside does show distortion where the supports were welded, and some light sanding marks/distortion were pieces were welded for corner.

Purchased a few hundred bumpers in early 70's for friends (getting deep discount) and for the most part they always showed sanding marks, distortion, scratches, - ie junk stuff, returned on a regular basis just to get acceptable ones for drivers

The NOS p are out there in large numbers so perhaps these are mostly seen.
Agree with Gene below, he said better

[Gene M.]

Re: chrome bumpers

The Corvette was GM’s flagship car they didn’t want any crap going out the door. Chrome on them for the most part was very good. Corvette and Cadillac were the pride of the fleet. And the line supplied parts were far superior to the parts sent for service replacements. NOS is not an indicator of assembly line pieces in quality. There may have been lesser attention paid to the part quality on other assembly lines in GM. But those lower quality assembly line parts were rejected on the Corvette line.

[Ronald L.]

Re: chrome bumpers

The chrome plater I've been using for decades charges $250 a corner. As far as replacement bumpers go, Paragon has the original GM tooling and their bumpers are identical to the originals. If they don't fit your car correctly, it's because of incorrect prior repairs. My current project, a 1965, had the typical 70's mod of removing the front bumpers. I purchased all the brackets and new bumpers from Paragon and the fit was perfect. I had the rears re-chromed and you can't tell the difference between them. Same finish, same thickness etc.

Jim, last I heard the tools needed a full refurbish costing over 250k, and were sitting - have you checked with them?

[Brandon T.]

Re: chrome bumpers

what is the name of the place that does your chrome work?