Pontiac - Street No question too basic here!

          
View Poll Results: What Chrome Shops would you recommend, you can choose more than one.
Custom Plating Specialists 1 25.00%
The Chrome Shop 0 0%
American Electroplating Company 0 0%
Sandy's Bumpermart 0 0%
Ogden Chrome 0 0%
Pauls Chrome Plating 2 50.00%
Advanced Plating 2 50.00%
Sherm's Custom Chrome 0 0%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 4. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-12-2021, 07:32 AM
dataway's Avatar
dataway dataway is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Saratoga NY
Posts: 8,921
Default 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.

  #2  
Old 09-12-2021, 08:15 AM
Spaceman Spiff's Avatar
Spaceman Spiff Spaceman Spiff is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Jersey
Posts: 30
Default

Librandi's Plating

__________________
1970 Lemans Sport. Granada gold. Stockish 350.
  #3  
Old 09-12-2021, 09:35 AM
tom s tom s is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: long beach ca usa
Posts: 18,764
Default

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

  #4  
Old 09-12-2021, 10:16 AM
OG68's Avatar
OG68 OG68 is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chula Vista, CA
Posts: 1,475
Default

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.

__________________
Ed

1968 GTO (Thanks Mom)
2006 Silverado
2007 Cadillac SRX
2015 Chevy Express

  #5  
Old 09-12-2021, 11:00 AM
gobrdgo gobrdgo is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 618
Default

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.

  #6  
Old 09-12-2021, 11:01 AM
gobrdgo gobrdgo is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 618
Default

Sihilling metal polishing - correction.

  #7  
Old 09-12-2021, 11:18 AM
tom s tom s is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: long beach ca usa
Posts: 18,764
Default

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

  #8  
Old 09-12-2021, 01:33 PM
dataway's Avatar
dataway dataway is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Saratoga NY
Posts: 8,921
Default

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

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to dataway For This Useful Post:
  #9  
Old 09-12-2021, 01:37 PM
dataway's Avatar
dataway dataway is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Saratoga NY
Posts: 8,921
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff View Post
Librandi's Plating
That's got potential, only about 3.5 hours from me.

  #10  
Old 09-12-2021, 07:29 PM
burd's Avatar
burd burd is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MOTOR CITY
Posts: 1,526
Default

Fini finish in the D. Best

  #11  
Old 09-12-2021, 07:42 PM
61-63's Avatar
61-63 61-63 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Sour Lake, Texas
Posts: 2,394
Default

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.

  #12  
Old 09-12-2021, 08:54 PM
64speed's Avatar
64speed 64speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westminster S.C.
Posts: 6,025
Default

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

__________________
468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior.
  #13  
Old 09-13-2021, 12:52 AM
dataway's Avatar
dataway dataway is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Saratoga NY
Posts: 8,921
Default

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.

  #14  
Old 09-14-2021, 11:04 AM
dataway's Avatar
dataway dataway is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Saratoga NY
Posts: 8,921
Default

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.

  #15  
Old 09-14-2021, 11:40 AM
bdk1976 bdk1976 is online now
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 713
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dataway View Post
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?

  #16  
Old 09-14-2021, 01:18 PM
64speed's Avatar
64speed 64speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westminster S.C.
Posts: 6,025
Default

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

__________________
468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior.
  #17  
Old 09-14-2021, 01:48 PM
Steve C. Steve C. is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Liberty Hill, Tx. (Austin)
Posts: 10,385
Default

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.


.

__________________
'70 TA / 505 cid / same engine but revised ( previous best 10.63 at 127.05 )
Old information here:
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/0712p...tiac-trans-am/

Sponsor of the world's fastest Pontiac powered Ford Fairmont (engine)
5.14 at 140 mph (1/8 mile) , true 10.5 tire, stock type suspension
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDoJnIP3HgE
  #18  
Old 09-14-2021, 03:06 PM
dataway's Avatar
dataway dataway is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Saratoga NY
Posts: 8,921
Default

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



Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Chrome-Handles-1.jpg
Views:	287
Size:	103.1 KB
ID:	573018   Click image for larger version

Name:	Chrome-Markers-2.jpg
Views:	292
Size:	126.3 KB
ID:	573019  


Last edited by dataway; 09-14-2021 at 03:13 PM.
  #19  
Old 09-14-2021, 05:27 PM
hobbygto65's Avatar
hobbygto65 hobbygto65 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 1970
Location: Brainerd,MN
Posts: 1,767
Default

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

Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:19 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017