Chrome Plating Service Poll
 

I need some small parts chromed, nothing would be larger than valve covers, Vent window frame, door handles etc.

Ton of threads, suggestions, comments so I thought I'd create a poll of the the most mentioned shops.

This lists only includes the shops that do pot metal, so places like TriCity are not included. Also not included are very local shops that don't have an internet presence.

In my case I'd probably have "show chrome" done on the smaller parts, door handles, vent window frame, and "street" chrome on larger parts (if I get any done)

Lots of the recommendations of the last 20 years on this forum are out of business or no longer have web sites etc.

Feel free to leave recommendations that are not on the list. However, bear in mind I'm trying to avoid very local shops that are more geared toward just serving their own community, and they would have to do Pot Metal in my case.

Librandi's Plating

I only take my stuff to a shop I can walk into.Too many stories of lost and not the same stuff back.FWIW,Tom

Sometimes its not economically feasible to have small parts re-chromed when there are some very good or excellent reproductions available. The labor charges to polish and buff these pieces often exceed the cost of new.
The Ames valve covers and their better door handles are a good examples.

I live in SoCal. If it has to be perfect and money is no option I use SIhilling metal polishing in Santa Ana. If I just want it done I have a hole in the wall place. The chopper scene runs parts down to Mexico for plating. EPA really a damper on chrome work here. Sorry I can’t vote on your poll. I agree mailing off parts can be sketchy.

Sihilling metal polishing - correction.

Verns on El Segundo blvd still does copper nickle chrome 3 stage plating.Tom

No such thing as a local shop where I am, nearest automotive plating service is about 3 hours away.

Since this is a 68 GTO, other than the rear bumper you could probably rechrome every part on the car for less than $2000. I mean what is there, two valve covers, cleaner lid, vent window frames, door handles, Dual Gate shifter, that's about it.

Bear in mind I've owned the car 45 years, there are certain parts that I want to keep original no matter what the cost, things my hands have been touching for 45 years, like door handles ... it's a Karma thing :)

That's got potential, only about 3.5 hours from me.

Fini finish in the D. Best

Speed & Sport in Houston is good as is AIH in Dubuque Iowa, in my experience. But no matter who anyone goes to you have to give them good quality cores if you want good end results. If you send or take in really pitted cores they will not be able to fix it up to look nice.

S&H plating Madison TN. Lifetime warranty and triple plated

Might have to give S&H a try ... I grew up in TN and my parents live about an hour away from them. Family business and they have a good website.

Well S&H is out. Sent a very nice message with photos of the parts, 2 door handles, 2 rear side markers, 2 quarter window trims (that run along the front of quarter glass) and 2 vent window supports. Got a very terse reply of $1,300.

All of the parts are quite good with very little pitting, pretty much none on the quarter window trim and door handles.

Why is S&H out? Cost?

How much do you expect to get this done for?

I had excellent luck with them. Chrome is expensive period. I can send you pictures of their work if you need it. I don’t ever recall a terse interaction and I dealt with them for over 2 years. EVERY piece on my car is chrome. All the aluminum, stainless, etc

Stated- "Verns on El Segundo blvd still does copper nickle chrome 3 stage plating.Tom"

Years ago I was a sales engineer at a very large electroplating facility in Southern California (now out of business). What Tom has stated is very important, the first plated deposit should be copper. Then followed by the nickel and chromium. Especially when a zing die casting is involved.

( old fashion term for a zinc die cast part is often called 'pot metal' )

I will also add the stripping and polishing of a zinc cast part prior to plating is very important. And if not done properly it can open up cavities that can lead to 'blisters' in the plating. The plating job will only look as good as the surrace preperation done prior tp plating.


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I was expecting $600-800 ... heck at the price they quoted it would cost $6,000 to do a bumper. Their back log is also 3 months. I got the distinct impression they aren't looking for any additional business right now. Terse because they didn't address any of the questions I asked, simple stuff like "Could you tell me what each item would cost so I could decide which pieces I want to chrome"

That's fine, some of the other forum recommendations have general price guidelines posted on their sites. Easily half the cost. Free country, people can charge whatever they want.

Here is the typical examples of what I was sending, not like they needed a ton of work. And if it's the same TN I grew up in, a guy with a NY address is probably not going to get first class treatment :)

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...8&d=1631646295

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...9&d=1631646302

I use North Star, its about 4 blocks from my house.