Would like to get my front bumper for my F-250 re-chromed as it is straight and not dented. Called a few places and about fell on the floor when they quoted me 800-850 big ones. Am I just getting too old or has the price gone up that much. Nothing wrong with mine except for a couple scratches that look like somebody ran a few shopping carts across it. Too bad you can't buff them out. I hate to buy an aftermarket one cause they are probably not as heavy and lord knows what part of the world they come from. Thoughts and idea's welcome.

 

try tin foil in soapy water, rub it just like you were wet sanding then buff it. Ive seen it work wonder's and ive seen it do almost nothing. Post up some pic's.

 

If you spend the $$ and get a quality reproduction from Dennis Carpenter and NOT LMC. You should be ok with their product if you would rather have new, and if he foil trick does not work.

 

$850? ! Sheest.. find another chromer.

I had a rear bumper straightened and rechromed for my Pontiac convertible and it was only $350.

 

Chroming prices can vary widely, due to three main issues:

State Legislation - chroming chemicals are nasty, which leads to legislation and varying levels of materials handling, compliance and inspection costs. Chrome has almost been eradicated from some states of the US. Like many things, it might be a lot cheaper just over the border.

Process - While the chemistry is much the same for the chrome deposition, different shops will put down different substrates, and different thicknesses of substrate and chrome. Some shops also put more effort into surface prep, and some will give a discount if they don't have to surface prep. Chrome is like paint, prep determines final quality. I've seen so much cheap chrome flaking off because there was no prep done, just toss it in the plating tank...

Demand - Chrome isn't as common, if you are down to one local plater, they can charge what they like...

[Edited to add]
Oh thanks for the tip Bud Mud, that should come in handy.
In a variation on that, imitation silver leaf, which is really thin aluminium foil, can be used to "gild" chromed parts, even PVD "chromed" plastic. I've been planning to use it to "re-plate" some PVD plastic where the shiny has peeled off.

 

dude... I live in California and everything here seems to be the most expensive among the lower 48 states... my buddy just paid $1.25 million (USD) for a 3,600 square-foot home on a 12,000 square-foot lot.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I will try the foil and see what happens. I think the scratches are a little to far into plating though. I guess with all the regulations we have now that most of the small chrome shops have gone by the wayside with the ones that remain having to charge more to comply with all the red tape involved. A new bumper may be the cheaper option unless I can find a place that can do it for less. I have one picture to post now but can get better tomorrow.

 

Hell, for that price I could ship mine to them. Name and number of that shop please.

 

Yup Hickory, it's that expensive for quality plating now days. I had the front bumper for the Pumpkin replated last year by Advanced Plating in Nashville.
Between the labor costs (replating is very labor intensive) and EPA regulations (chroming uses a lot of "nasty" chemicals) it has become extremely expensive.
My bumper wasn't too bad, a few little dings, but the chrome was shot. After Advanced replated it I couldn't have been happier. I was a lot poorer, but happy . The difference was beyond night and day.
The cost? $175 to fix the dings, grind a smooth radius all around the edge and remove some waves that had been there since it was stamped. The plating was $850, total $1,025.00.
Here are some before and after.

 

I remember when you had that done Mike. Your right, the difference is night and day. I've heard about Advanced Plating before. Think I seen them onetime on Stacey David's show. They do show quality work. My wife wants to go to Nasville in April to go to "Country Living Magazine's" craft show. Hmm. How long did it take them to do yours?

 

Tri Cities Plating in TN did a car bumper for me a few years ago. Very well done... smooth and "triple plated". Probably not cheap.

For my Dent, I got a "premium" new bumper. It has held up well including some winter operation. The "standard" new bumpers would probably start showing rust after a year or so.

 

Do you remember who you got the premium bumper from.

 

I got the new bumper from LMC. They sell both "regular" and "premium".

 

Lost my net for a while and my reply disappeared. So: Got a quote a couple of years ago from Tri-City Plating in TN for about $200 for a front bumper for a 68 Galaxie. email
info-at-tricityplating.com or 800-251-7536
Another: Cambridge Custom Chrome Buffalo, NY 800-268-9935
Another: Sandy's Bumper Mart, Inc. Chroming and plating specialists
A lot of guys around Central NY use Sandy's . Of course it is close.
Ditto on DCarpenter for a new bumper.

 

Tri City out of Nashville,,they guarantee the chrome as long as you own your vehicle .They show up at all the big car shows,you drop your bumper off to them and pick it up the next season big car show.