Rechroming recommendations

[Valeria H.]

I've searched the archives on this subject and did not come up with any recommendations since 2003. I was fortunate enough to have "won" a set of 60 wheel covers and spinners on ebay this weekend and also purchased a few extra spinners for a nominal cost. Besides the trim piece on the wonderbar radio I will need the spinners replated.
Any recent recommendations on people who do quality work consistently? I know much of their success in this work is due diligence in the prep portion of the restoration.

Valeria

[Steven B.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

Excellent and original looking work along with Pebble Beach show jobs are done by Paul's Chrome, www.paulschrome.com. Their work appears on NCRS and other cars. Their repair work is excellent.

Steve

[Valeria H.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

Do you know if he uses the triple coat method of coating first with copper, nickle next and then the chrome? Also, on a second archive search of the subject posted by Rod Kramer I learned of two different method to use. The better of the two being a hexavalent vs a trivalent which was thought to be inferior to the former.
Several names came up on this 2nd search such as: Paul, M&P Refinishing in Jeanette PA, D&S Custom in Holyoke MA, The Chrome Pit in Canada and Librandis in Harrisburg PA.
Does anyone have any recent experiencewith these companies?
Valeria

[Steven B.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

Paul's uses the triple method and if desired will multi coat the shiney stuff (Pebble Beach type work)! They will do flash chrome also. They do good prep work, reconstruct/fill/grind/polish, etc. They do all types restoration work from street to Pebble, you choose.

From Paul's website. The site steps you through the total process. It is well worth reading.

Plating

CLEANING - In order for plating to properly adhere, the substrate must be completely free of all foreign materials such as oil, buffing compounds, finger prints, and soap films. At Paul’s the process begins in an ultrasonic cleaner tank containing a special hot buffered cleaner. This process removes virtually all the foreign materials including buffing compounds even down in threaded mounting holes. The part is then transferred to the scrub tank where it is meticulously hand washed to be certain that it is completely clean.

After a thorough water rinse the item is then racked or wired to a copper hook. It is the rack or the hook & wire that will allow the electrolization of the piece in the various plating tanks. The cleaning is continued at this point with a dip in a dilute acid & water bath to ensure the removal of any soap residue as well as to activate the molecular surface of the part. This dip is followed by a clean water rinse and the item is now ready for its base coat in the cyanide copper strike tank.
The purpose of the strike is to apply a thin film of plating over the substrate. It is an inefficient bath by design meaning that it will plate slowly but will cover down in recesses where efficient plating baths will not reach. The cyanide copper layer’s function is for adhesion so that the subsequent nickel plating or acid copper plating which have an acidic base will not react with the substrate creating the potential for lack of adhesion (peeling).
Upon completion of the strike and accompanying rinses a layer of acid copper is plated. This is a soft ductile thick layer of copper used to resurface the part to prepare it for further work in the polishing department. If further work is not required the copper struck item goes to the nickel solution where a heavy layer of bright nickel is applied. The nickel is the main corrosion resistant or protective layer applied to the item. It is also the layer that provides the decorative "bright" effect to the item.
The last step in the triple plate process is the chrome plate. This is a thin translucent layer of a hard weather resistant metal. The chrome’s main purpose is to prevent the tarnishing "dulling" of the bright nickel. After rinsing the chromed object is placed in a hot post dip solution to neutralize and seal the coating on the part primarily on the backs and on the inside of the parts.

[Paul J.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

Do you know if he uses the triple coat method of coating first with copper, nickle next and then the chrome? Also, on a second archive search of the subject posted by Rod Kramer I learned of two different method to use. The better of the two being a hexavalent vs a trivalent which was thought to be inferior to the former.
Several names came up on this 2nd search such as: Paul, M&P Refinishing in Jeanette PA, D&S Custom in Holyoke MA, The Chrome Pit in Canada and Librandis in Harrisburg PA.
Does anyone have any recent experiencewith these companies?
Valeria

Valeria:

Trivalent became popular because of the environmental and health issues associated with hexavalent. According to some chrome platers and at least one R&D person trivalent abrades more easily and is not as durable as hexavalent. I've also noticed that trivalent does not have those blue nickel hues that hexavalent has, although it appears that there are a lot color options with trivalent plating so perhaps the yellowish pieces that I've seen were tinted that way on purpose.

I've heard a lot of good things about Paul's Chrome so I'll be calling him soon, but there are several others mentioned on this board.

Is your 60 the one I used to see all the time in southern Wake County?

Paul

[Mark P.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

One thing to think about when rechroming the spinners is if you will have them put in the machine marks in the center. I had mine rechromed and did it myself but messed up a couple with too abrasive of a 3M pad. It took the chome down to the copper.

The last 2 came out fine. I taped them up and painted the detail in black then attached a light abrasive 3M pad to 3" rubber wheel mounted in my drill press. I cut out a hole in a piece of wood to hold the spinner centered. If you go light you should be OK.

[Valeria H.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

Paul, I lived in Durham, NC and worked at Duke University hospital in the early 80's and drove this car exclusively for several years. I then moved to Raleigh and drove it frequently. I've been in Charlotte, NC since 85 and the car was showroom stored up until 3 yrs ago so I am probably not the one you see today in Wake County. There are alot of Vette Girls out there.
Valeria

[Paul J.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

Valeria:

There used to be a red and white 60 with wheels similar to the ones in your avatar running around Wake County south of Garner. This was about 1994. I have'nt seen the car in over 10 years. I was just wondering if yours was the car I saw so frequently.

Paul

[Brad S.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

Valeria, I had Pauls do the front and rear bumpers for my 69 and just got them back about 3 weeks ago and am very happy with their work. Their turnaround was about 6-7 weeks. They were a little pricey but you get what you pay for. Brad

[Wayne B.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

Southern Bumper Exchange in Atlanta does the triple chroming. I have my grills over there right now being done. I went over there and he showed me a lot of items ready to go out the door and everything looked great.

[Jim H.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

These people did a great job and were quite reasonable:

Custom Metal Finishing-Indiana LLC.9705 State Rd 38. Hagerstown IN.(765)-489-4089.

[John D.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

Do you know if he uses the triple coat method of coating first with copper, nickle next and then the chrome? Also, on a second archive search of the subject posted by Rod Kramer I learned of two different method to use. The better of the two being a hexavalent vs a trivalent which was thought to be inferior to the former.
Several names came up on this 2nd search such as: Paul, M&P Refinishing in Jeanette PA, D&S Custom in Holyoke MA, The Chrome Pit in Canada and Librandis in Harrisburg PA.
Does anyone have any recent experiencewith these companies?
Valeria

Valeria, M&P Refinishing is by far one of the best platers in my area of Pittsburgh, PA. Little know info is M&P also does a lot of chrome plating for other chrome shops. They are tremendous on pot metal also. Good on repairs. I use them exclusively and a ton of my FI customers have used them because of me and because of this forum.
But I can't really think of ANY plater in my area that could properly rechrome our spinners on wheel cover. Now especially the ones from a 63 as I am most familiar with those. Have proof as I have a set in the garage that are used as door stops as someone (not M&P) just had to do show chrome and buffed all the detail out.
Although I don't push repro parts too much. Just everyday on the phone. But this time I would suggest you buy a nice set of repro spinners. I am sure others will disagree though. Now for my 63, the LWC I have 3 NOS wheel covers and one original on the RR. Always put the crap on the RR as the judges don't look at the RR that hard as too interested in drivers side.

[Mark P.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

Corvette Specialties Of Maryland sells a nice spinner for 58-60.

I bought a set and they look very close to an original set. I checked the dimensions with my dial caliper and they appeared virtually identical to my original set. I have heard they pass judging without a deduction.

[Valeria H.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

I would still like to have my spinners rechromed. I have 7 to take a pick from. I'll call around and see if any of the people ya'all (southern) recommended had good outcomes with spinners. If that doesn't pan out I'll buy the ones Mark recommended. I especially liked the RR placement for the worst or the repop spinner. I hope not a one of the judges have been reading these e-mails.

[Steven N.]

Re: Rechroming recommendations

OH_OH...........i'm a '58-'60 Judge........