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TR2/3/3A Chrome Plating the 3A valve cover $$$$$$$$$$$

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Tinkerman

Tinkerman

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Went to Knoxville on several projects, took my valve cover in to get it plated. Fellow was very impressed with the weight of it. He asked me if I just wanted it plated and I told him that I was doing a concours restoration. He said that he would put a double plating of copper and then a nickel chrome final plating on it. Sounded expensive, it was! $150. YIKES! Then I rationalized, it may be expensive, but that dude sits right on the top of the engine, after what I have put into this car I can't skimp on something that sits out there in front of God and everyone, can I? No way! Guess I will have to put some stuff on eBay to pay for it.
He also said that the bumper will cost about $200, sigh.

Cheers, Tinkerman
 
About 8 years ago, I got a quote from a local plater who wanted $1000.00 to re-do the front bumper on my TR3A because I had some scratches from 50,000 miles of driving since it was re-chromed in 1990. I said forget it. Here is what it still look like after 97,000 miles.
 

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Good thing that you didn't get it done. for that price it should be triple plate after removing all finish on the cover.

First copper, then buff, second is the nickel, then buff again, then chrome and final buff.

Not cheap, by any means, but well worth it. And next year it will cost 20% more.
 
We have a very highly respected chrome shop locally that gets referenced frequently in Auto Restorer Magazine.
I took my TR6 bumpers in 5-6 years ago and got a quote of $1200 for go-chrome. I didn't ask what the price would be for show.
I couldn't pay that price as it was more than the purchase price of the car.
 
I've had chrome done in El Paso, Tx very reasonably. I think I paid $300 for a MBenz 190 SL bumper (7 pieces) that also needed straightening and some hammer work. I can't remember the name of the shop but they did nice work for the money (nice driver quality)
Google El Paso/ chrome and call around.
 
$150 to do that? That's a deal. Spent $200 on The license light on my 71
 
Hi There Tinkerman;

If you go back a couple of months and read some of the posts that I started on Chrome Plating (Chrome Plating; Lost Art) or something like that; You`ll find that $150.00 for the Valve Cover & $200.00 for the Bumper is really "VERY REASONABLE"!

I called "Pauls Chrome" (Someone here mentioned them in W. PA) & got quoted nearly $400.00 + 12wks delv. on plating a Luggage Rack for my TR4A: "I ended up getting it polished" as it was Stainless & came out Great:

Moral to the Story is; If you already have "Mega Bucks" into a Nut & Bolt Restoration; Why skimp on the items that stand out and make your efforts shine, Not to mention your car!!

Regards, Russ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif
 
Thanks for the words Russ, I feel the same way and yes I remember that thread, I really was just fussing, If he does what I think he can do, It is truly a good deal. I looked at a number of pieces that he had finished and they were beautiful.
I will post pics when I get it back.

Regards, Tinkerman
 
Anyone have specific chrome shop recommendations? I've seen Nu Chrome in Massachusettes mentioned in the past, along with a place in Minnesota (I think) called Northern Star (? correct name, anyone?) that only did bumpers. I recall seeing that someone on this board was pleased with the Northern shop.
 
Hi There Mkutz;

Here you go buddy;

Graves Plating - Alabama - 256-764-9487:
N.E. Chrome - CT - 866-528-7176:
Nu Chrome - MA - 800-422-8012:
Pauls Chrome - W. PA - 800-245-8679 (Considered the Best):

Have Fun;

Regards, Russ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif
 
What you are looking for is a shop that is used to doing replating work for old cars and custom work. There are shops out there that all they do are bumpers They are usually fast and inexpensive but if you are going to show your car you need to get a good job.
If you know of a custom hod rod or street rod shop they may have some idea for you. You can also check the inernet for chrome platers in your area on the internet. Thats what I did and I called them to find out what they did and etc. etc.

Good luck, Tinkerman
 
All of the pieces above with the bumper were done at NuChrome in MA. The valve cover was done at a shop in RI no longer in business.

NuChrome isn't cheap, but there quality is excellent. Delivery anywhere from 5-12 weeks depending on shop load at that time.

I've been to their shop many times. They do work on auto and boat restorations from all over the world. You would be amazed at what comes in there. The before and afters are unreal.
 
Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I've just got a few pieces of the TR3 that need to be replated, namely the handbrake lever, windshield frame, tennon plates, and stantions, and the dash grab handle. The bumpers and bumperettes I am just going to by new, as the ones on the car were replaced in the 70's with cheap parts and are rather beat up looking. Thanks!
 
The tenon plates and grab handle you might consider new. Moss has both. The tenon plate (802-670) is $43/each. I've also seen them in stainless on flea-bay for about half that. The grab handle (633-045) is $48. I bought one, and am very pleased with how it looks. Of course, if you have the very early handle that's not swelled in the middle, then you'll have to get it redone.
 
FWIW --

Had all the TR4 chrome (except door handles) done in June. Here is the break-down:

F Bumper 200
R Bumper 250
4 Guards 260
Tailights 180
Side Mirror 45

This was by the shop of choice in Tucson (Royal Plating). No matter what you think about low-riders & hot-rods, those guys demand and get nice chrome.
 
If it weren't for low riders and hot rods (which I really love) we would have no one to do our plating.
 
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