[mrrat1]

Originally Posted by 62cat

Used Tri-city many times no complaints. Fairly fast turn around. Last time they said 5 weeks wound up being 4. And I picked up at Carlisle. They are vendors their. Save on shipping one way at least.

Tri City is much better than factory chrome!! Keystone I think would be on par with factory.

That's what I did.......Dropped off at Spring & picked up at Fall.....Or you could ship down now and Inspect & pick up at Spring Carlisle.

[65 Cat 2+2]

Ditto on Tri-City Plating in TN. Father and son team. They are at Carlisle several times a year. If that's within a reasonable drive, and if you've ever shipped or paid to ship a bumper, you'll appreciate the ability to hand deliver.
Last time I used them they offered a lifetime guarantee. Best bang for the buck.

"Friends don't let friends use Bumper Boyz."

[tempest1964]

Just a follow up to this discussion. My car is at paint and bumpers need rechrome. I had Keystone recommended to me. Then I read this thread. Everyone recommended Tri-City so much higher. My only concern was shipping cost. So I called and talked to Chip. He told me that for my bumpers, to wrap them in bubble wrap, and go UPS. It will be app. $50/ bumper to ship from Indianapolis to their facility. That made my mind up. Thanks to all for this thread on a very relevant subject to me.

[Redpiston]

One thing about Keystone is that according to their website they also do pot metal re-chroming. I am thinking about trying them on some headlight bezels

[MCronkGTO]

Can someone please post the link to Keystone? I would like to contact them about a bumper that needs straightening and rechroming. I am reluctant to sent a bumper that is not very straight for fear they want be able to accurately straighten it.

MarkC

[Stuart]

Link: http://www.lkqcorp.com/en-us/locatio...ainerd-mn.aspx I think you can arrange to drop the bumper off at a Keystone Automotive facility that's local to you, rather than shipping it all the way to Minnesota yourself, but you can call and find out for sure.

[TeeTopZ]

The email I received from Keystone said that I could drop off my bumper at a local facility. I'm not sure what the shipping charges are from there though.

[TeeTopZ]

A question for the guys that used tri-city, did they rechrome your bumper, or just use it as a core? I would like my bumper back. Their site lists prices for "with exchange $650" or "without exchange $850". I wonder which price is for just rechroming my bumper.

[mrrat1]

My cars bumpers were used.

[ho421]

Originally Posted by TeeTopZ

The email I received from Keystone said that I could drop off my bumper at a local facility. I'm not sure what the shipping charges are from there though.

There were no shipping charges. My local Keystone Automotive rep claimed that the company has trucks stopping at their retail outlets on a regular basis.

[63gpman]

Originally Posted by TeeTopZ

A question for the guys that used tri-city, did they rechrome your bumper, or just use it as a core? I would like my bumper back. Their site lists prices for "with exchange $650" or "without exchange $850". I wonder which price is for just rechroming my bumper.

It would surprise me if Keystone would have any cores available for these years of cars, so when they say "with exchange" that is the price to redo your bumper.

As stated above, most any body shop uses LKQ/Keystone, so if you have a friend in the body shop business, they may even be able to get you a discount, or even if they will not get you a discount, they can get your bumper sent out and the shop will make the markup on it.

I have never sent them any pot metal, but may try it just to see.

[ho421]

Originally Posted by MCronkGTO

Can someone please post the link to Keystone? I would like to contact them about a bumper that needs straightening and rechroming. I am reluctant to sent a bumper that is not very straight for fear they want be able to accurately straighten it.

MarkC

I understand your concern. My cores were not perfect. I had to return my front bumper back to my local keystone retailer. It was off by 3/4" (i'll call it twist) from bottom corner left to right. They got it right the second time. IMO and that of others, the chrome looks outstanding.

[400 4spd.]

Originally Posted by TeeTopZ

A question for the guys that used tri-city, did they rechrome your bumper, or just use it as a core? I would like my bumper back. Their site lists prices for "with exchange $650" or "without exchange $850". I wonder which price is for just rechroming my bumper.

I have always gotten back the bumper I provided. And to be sure mine isn't lost in the shuffle, I use a die-grinder and put my name on the back side where the bumper bracket will cover it. In my case I usually meet them in Charlotte because they have a vendor space near mine at AutoFair.
A couple of times I've driven to the business to pick up my bumpers. It's a good excuse to visit beautiful Tennessee, and I bring back 4 or 5 instead of stressing about shipping damage.

[Carmine]

Always had my own, what was sent, rechromed. Nothing fits like the original. As mentioned in a previous thread, I also scribed a numeric identifier inside the bumper just to make sure I got back what I sent. Never a problem, Carmine.

[Ziggy]

Just an FYI, I used Hanlon in Richmond, VA for my bumpers. They are conveniently located South of Richmond just off of 95. Merle Green put me on to them years ago.

I would drop them off and then pick them up a few weeks later. They did two sets for my 63 FS cars. They could have returned ship the rears but would not guarantee any damage in shipping the fronts as they felt the front downward end points of the bumper could not be protected adequately.

[gtoguys]

Keystone actually has at least 2 different methods for re-chroming, they have standard chrome and show chrome. Anything older than 20 years automatically gets show chrome. And they do have a lifetime warranty.

[ho421]

Originally Posted by gtoguys

Keystone actually has at least 2 different methods for re-chroming, they have standard chrome and show chrome. Anything older than 20 years automatically gets show chrome. And they do have a lifetime warranty.

I have zero complaimts with mine and have had several ask where i had mine done. Keystone called it show quality.

[Cardo]

I don't know how anyone can afford Advanced Chorme... I was just at a swap meet a couple of weeks ago and they quoted me $650 to replate a set of 65 taillight bezels and $1800 for the rear bumper. I even asked him again if he said $1800. Yep. I could see $800, but not $1800.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by Cardo

I don't know how anyone can afford Advanced Chorme... I was just at a swap meet a couple of weeks ago and they quoted me $650 to replate a set of 65 taillight bezels and $1800 for the rear bumper. I even asked him again if he said $1800. Yep. I could see $800, but not $1800.

When I worked in Nashville, all of our aircraft plating was done by Advanced. Superb work, but they are pricey. When KY Plating was on Main St in Louisville, they did REALLY good work at a very reasonable price. There's a new plating shop on S. 3rd Street, but I don't know anything about them.

[lil65gto]

I utilized 2 different companies for the front/back bumper on my '65. Tri City replated my front and nearly 20 years later...still looks gorgeous. Great people to boot.
My rear bumper? Well, that was near the end of my restoration at the time (money was getting tight) so I let Bumper Boyz plate that. Horrible. Chrome flaking off within a year and you can see copper colored spots throughout. That and they welded in a patch on the driver side that can be seen clear-as-day.
You get what you pay for.

On another note: My tail bezels on my '67 Lemans have light pitting and everyone wants an arm & leg to replate (not many outfits replate pot metal). I contacted Sandy Bumper Mart out of Syracuse, NY and they quoted me $180/ side. I thought their pricing was MORE than fair. Anyone use these guys?