A Couple of Chrome Replating Questions.

[Tinkerman]

I thought I had gotten over the replating sticker shock. I brought more stuff over to the company that is doing my valve cover, he said that my grab handle was pot metal and the don't do pot metal. He told me who does so I just called him and he said about $250! A new level of sticker shock! I can buy a new one for $40 or so from one of the big three - Which way to go? Mind you I am building a concours car and I don't want to stint on the showy stuff but......

Next question:
To replate the instrument bezels or can I buy new ones, or try to find really good ones on eBay? Actually some of mine look pretty good so I don't need all new ones.

Thanks for your help!
Tinkerman

 

[Geo Hahn]

I did not realize that the grab handle is pot metal, I always thought it was plated brass. In any case $250 sounds very high for this.

The shop I used had no problem doing the tailights and outside mirror (which were pot metal) for 90 & 45 respectively. Pot metal does cost more I think because they first plate with copper, then nickel and chrome.

 

[Tinkerman]

Fellow told me that there was a lot of hand work involved. It might that he is the only game around also. I thought it was brass also. Wrong again, sigh.

 

[DougF]

I would get a second opinion. That bar seems too heavy to be pot metal.

 

[TR3driver]

From the way I've seen them corrode, I believe he's right. It's some sort of "pot metal" aka zinc alloy.

And I'm guessing the price quoted depends on the condition of the piece. "A lot of hand work" would describe the process of filling all of the pits in a piece with constantly varying curves. Might be worth looking for one with fewer/shallower pits.

Note that some platers just grind away the surface until the pits are removed, which can definitely alter the contours of the piece. The right way, of course, is to clean up the pits (so the copper will adhere) then fill them with copper plate (meaning the part has to be plated multiple times and worked back down to the original contour between platings); but as noted, that's a lot of (expensive) work.

Might also be worth looking into some of the DIY kits (although they aren't cheap either).
Caswell Plating kits

 

[Tinster]

Wow,wow,wow,wow!
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/hammer.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/hammer.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/hammer.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/hammer.gif

Home powder coating and NOW I can do chrome and
black chrome in Wendy's orchid growing room as well!!

Could be some cool looking projects down the pike.

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