Found a good chrome plater!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Found a good chrome plater!
The chromed grille of my 55 was showing it's age (prolly done in the 70's or 80's) so I took it off and disassembled it(40, count em, 40 10-32 screws washers and nuts). I called around and received 3 quotes from 1500$ to 1200$ for a re plate job. The grille needed no straightening. I ended up sending the components to Spacecoast Plating in Melbourne, Fl. I was told 6-12 weeks turnaround. I got 2 well packaged boxes back in 2 weeks. The work is flawless! I highly recommend them for anyone on the east coast. BTW- 1000$ 
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 741
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From: Katy(Houston), Texas
1K to chrome a grill 
Thats a lot of $, I guess I'm a bit out of touch on chroming...no surprise though since I've never had to get anything done. Glad you are really happy with the turnout though
Thats a lot of $, I guess I'm a bit out of touch on chroming...no surprise though since I've never had to get anything done. Glad you are really happy with the turnout though
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 751
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From: Cuba, AL (NO internet)
Cool....got some pics??? Here is a link to their site btw...
SpaceCoast Plating in melbourne florida
SpaceCoast Plating in melbourne florida
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
It may have been folly to list what I paid. Chrome work is darned expensive. The "best" plater in the country (Nashville) was 1200$. I can't imagine the work being any better. I'll post some pics if you like, Wayne.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 741
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From: Katy(Houston), Texas
Well I for one do love chrome so don't be surprised if I follow in your footsteps when I get that far. It's amazing how you can buy chrome parts for a reasonable price but to get them rechromed it's pretty expensive. I guess it's a lot of work to re-produce those really nice chrome pieces. I'm not knocking what you did but I've just have never had to get any work done so a little bit of a surprise. Cant wait to see how it looks on your truck!
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 83
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It costs so much because the metal has to be sanded and polished to a mirror finish before they do the copper then nickle and then finally the chrome dip. It's hard to find a good chrome shop because there are a lot of EPA regulations due to the chemicals they use.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,044
Likes: 10,052
From: Rio Rancho, NM
rearjim,
I can't wait to see a pic of your truck sporting its new shiny smile.
Yup chroming can be spendy, but what choice do you have? A bit of chrome can make all the difference in the world
Bobby
I can't wait to see a pic of your truck sporting its new shiny smile.
Yup chroming can be spendy, but what choice do you have? A bit of chrome can make all the difference in the world
Bobby
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
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From: S.W. Florida
I'll try to post some pics tomorrow, but we are getting ready for Turkey day road trip to S.C tomorrow, so It may be Sunday ir Monday when we return.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 728
Likes: 2
From: North Idaho
I don't normally give endorsements to individual companies but I will give Tripleplate Chrome in Spokane WA mine. When I was doing my buddies 50 f1 I took them a bunch of stuff which I thought that they would reject for some major pitting, dents, twists, etc (it had been a farm truck and rode hard).
They called a few days later and gave us a quote and said they could fix everything for about 800 bucks so we jumped on it (there were about 20 pieces if I remember right).
They didn't beat their deadline but everything was there on schedual and when we unwraped the parts we were blown away,,, it was flawless,,,I don't know the mechamics of plating but they somehow made every pit and ding disappear, leaving only a perfectly smooth and highly polished surface.
Gary
They called a few days later and gave us a quote and said they could fix everything for about 800 bucks so we jumped on it (there were about 20 pieces if I remember right).
They didn't beat their deadline but everything was there on schedual and when we unwraped the parts we were blown away,,, it was flawless,,,I don't know the mechamics of plating but they somehow made every pit and ding disappear, leaving only a perfectly smooth and highly polished surface.
Gary
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,044
Likes: 10,052
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Enjoy your holiday and be careful on the road.
Bobby
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Most new parts are chromed out of the country. Yes to replate, the original plating needs to be removed by deplating and/or acid dipping, a process that produces a lot of toxic, acidic heavy metal and cyanide waste solutions, the disposal of which is highly regulated and expensive. Then the piece needs to be straightened, pits filled, sanded and polished to a perfect surface without scratches, clouds or waves, the real expense and difference between a high quality and mediocre plating job. The plating will not cover any flaws but will emphasize them. A high quality plating consists of at least 3 layers: a bright copper that gives the adhesion, a nickle coat that gives the color and durability, and a final chromium coat that gives the brilliance and environmental protection. The chromium layer is actually nearly transparent like clear coat for paint.
Elder User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 728
Likes: 2
From: North Idaho
Most new parts are chromed out of the country. Yes to replate, the original plating needs to be removed by deplating and/or acid dipping, a process that produces a lot of toxic, acidic heavy metal and cyanide waste solutions, the disposal of which is highly regulated and expensive. Then the piece needs to be straightened, pits filled, sanded and polished to a perfect surface without scratches, clouds or waves, the real expense and difference between a high quality and mediocre plating job. The plating will not cover any flaws but will emphasize them. A high quality plating consists of at least 3 layers: a bright copper that gives the adhesion, a nickle coat that gives the color and durability, and a final chromium coat that gives the brilliance and environmental protection. The chromium layer is actually nearly transparent like clear coat for paint.
Thanks AX, Like I said before, I have never studied the mechanics of how its done, now I at least understand the basic theory,
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I can explain the process in detail, but it's probably more info than most want to know.
Ex-nuclear chemist and I've done a lot of small scale plating of various metals in my jewelry design business. No chrome tho, very dangerous and expensive to do outside an industrial setting.
Ex-nuclear chemist and I've done a lot of small scale plating of various metals in my jewelry design business. No chrome tho, very dangerous and expensive to do outside an industrial setting.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 230
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From: Round Rock, TX
Out of curiosity, are there any types of plating that can be done by your average joe in his own garage? Is there any metal plating that exists that is non-toxic?
Ex: I've considered using gun-bluing (cold blue) on a few parts, but the upkeep shot that idea down.
I think copper plate on certain parts (on the right truck) would look fantastic.
Ex: I've considered using gun-bluing (cold blue) on a few parts, but the upkeep shot that idea down.
I think copper plate on certain parts (on the right truck) would look fantastic.
