bumper rechrome? cheap v. good? local v. shipped?

[mike657894]

My bumpers are starting to turn. The chrome is starting to bubble on the rear. Does anyone have experience in getting stuff stripped and plated? What plating is required and what is a bad job? what is the average cost of getting a full set of bumper rechromed? And are there any recommendations for a chromer in Michigan?

[ronn]

Question- show car or driver?

you can just buy a set of stainless repops if your car is a driver and resell your old set.

Points car, another story.

[captndan]

Around here to rechrome was much more expensive than buying new. And six months lead time. Call Bert's and have a new set by the end of the week if UPS gets off their butts.

[mike657894]

driver. at around 700 for stainless and 600 for a new chrome set. I thought if they are making them and selling them for 600 it would cost less to rechrome them. I want what ever chrome process got done to my factory 78 chevy pickup bumper that has endured 40 michigan salty winters while the truck crumbled around it. I would pay more for a really good chrome that lasts. I dont want to do stainless as I think it has a duller shine and needs constant polishing.

[mike657894]

305 plus shipping at tri city plating in Tennessee http://www.tricityplating.com/bumper...ar_range=29-31

[mike657894]

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To be more specific I want the long lasting chrome finish that does not need to be show quality. But I cant stand the rusting in a year of the garage due to cheap chrome.

[mike657894]

through a google search I found a good link on the hamb for Michigan chrome shops.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...platers.41411/

[48fordnut]

What ever you decide, do not use bumper boyz . They are at shows.

[wrndln]

It appears from your avatar, your car is a 30 or 31. There is a listing for bumpers on eBay right now by Steve Becker/Bert's in Denver for $250 starting price, which is probably the selling price. The set is for 28/29 bumperettes, but I suspect 30/31 bumperettes and the front bumper bars are in the same price range. You might contact him to see what his price is plus shipping to MI. I think he uses a reputable chroming shop in the Denver area. I had some bumpers rechromed a few years ago and they looked good.
Rusty Nelson

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-192...lZZ370&vxp=mtr

[Russ/40]

Bert's did my originals several years ago, and I think it was $300 for the front on my 29RPU. Im happy with it.

[ronn]

Mike, looks like you are answering your own question.

Berts appears to be at the 600 range as well for the full set, so it isnt cheap no matter who you use.

Speedway sells 28-29 repop front bumper on ebay for 219 delivered and no core. for some reason they dont have 30-31-I asked............

[desotoguy]

Go with Tri City. I have bumpers done by them, first class work all the way.

[todd3131]

600 for a complete set of bumpers sounds like a very good deal to me. I just had one bumper done for a Buick and it cost more than that.

[Kevin in NJ]

FWIW, the original way bumpers were done requires dull nickel plate bath.

When the A was done they did not have bright nickel plate. So the bumpers were plated nickel and only polished on the front. This left that dull grey finish on the back and sides. Also they did not do anything to the back side and it will have the mill scale rough look.

If you wish to go this route there are some shops that can do the process. Expect to pay more as it requires more labor. Frankford Plating near Philadelphia is one shop I know that can do it. There was another shop in the Atlanta area that said they could do it too.

For way too much info...

There are 3 plating baths for nickel.
The type found on early stuff going back to the late 1800's.
The type until bright nickel.
Bright nickel.

Chrome plating when decorative is very thin and acts like a clear coat giving a blue tint to the nickel.

[mike657894]

Originally Posted by desotoguy

Go with Tri City. I have bumpers done by them, first class work all the way.

Thank you for the feedback on tri city. They are the cheapest posted price. its good to here they do good work.

[160B]

You want good plating ask if they triple plate, copper, nickel then chrome.

You get what you pay for!

http://www.castlechrome.co.uk/tripleplatedchrome.html

What is Triple Plated Chrome?

People often ask what is triple plating and what the process is. Most often than not (unless you do actually know the metal finishing process) we are asked just to dip things in the chrome while they wait. We wish it were that easy! Our turn around is normally 4 to 6 weeks but it may take a little longer depending on the metal underneath and if repair work has to be done, if this is the case then we do get in touch with the customer. We try our utmost to give customer satisfaction and if we are not happy with the end product then we know you wouldn't be either. We pride ourselves on delivering a good service for everyone and we appreciate any feedback concerning the product and service that you, the customer, receive.

Below is the Triple Plating process explained.

• All items are placed in an acid bath to remove any rust, chrome, nickel. Depending on the size and the condition of the item this could be either an overnight soak or a couple of days. This will leave the bare metal and also show us what condition the metal is in.

• All items, from car bumpers to nuts and bolts, are polished by our team of experienced polishers. It is this process that determines the surface on which the copper, nickel or chrome goes on to and is of great importance.

• Copper Plate is the base. Depending on the metal it can take from one hour to several hours in our vats. It is then taken out and polished again to get rid of any imperfections. Sometimes when the metal is fragile and thin a copper base can help to build it up.

• We then nickel plate, which takes about an hour, then the item is chrome plated on top which leaves you with your end product.
As referred to before it does depend on what the customer wants; sometimes it is only polishing, sometimes only nickel and it does depend on what metal it is because not all metals needs all three bases.
We chrome all classic and vintage cars and motorbikes from over-riders to wheels to exhausts to bumpers.

PS: RG&JS page 15-1 Revised 2016 "All bumpers were chrome plated"

[Terry, NJ]

I've seen "The Bumper Boys" at shows around here. I'm curious, what's wrong with them? I've talked to them and I think they tend to be a little smart ass, which I didn't care for, but that doesn't mean their stuff is bad. I've heard too, that they do the actual work in Mexico, which has far looser environmental laws than the US. but that doesn't mean their work is bad either. I'd like to know.
Terry

Originally Posted by 48fordnut

What ever you decide, do not use bumper boyz . They are at shows.

[ronn]

many folks have complained about bumper boyz chrome "lifting"

there is a ton of threads on it. run forrest run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and they dont stand behind their products.

[Terry, NJ]

OK Got it! And not standing behind their work is in keeping with the wise guy personality I encountered. They're off any lists of vendors I might deal with.
Terry

Originally Posted by ronn

many folks have complained about bumper boyz chrome "lifting"

there is a ton of threads on it. run forrest run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and they dont stand behind their products.