Just got one quote back for having hood rockets and scoops re-chromed for a '57 Belair. $500 each! I would have guessed bumpers would be a big number, but this seems crazy. Any recommendations for a re-chrome shop in New England that I should check with? Thanks in advance.
Is Re-Chroming Just Crazy Expensive?
michelprause
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Just got one quote back for having hood rockets and scoops re-chromed for a '57 Belair. $500 each! I would have guessed bumpers would be a big number, but this seems crazy. Any recommendations for a re-chrome shop in New England that I should check with? Thanks in advance.
1957 2 door sedan 210, (running) & 1957 2 door B/A hardtop (apart)[
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Those parts are made of "pot metal". Usually there is pitting, and filling the pits, or grinding material away to get rid of the pitting is very labor intensive,(expensive) From what I've read on this forum, Repro is the way to go on these parts
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around 30 yrs ago we had a factory in town called Colsons that made hospital equipment. Lots of chromed parts and if you had a buddy that worked there he could sneak in parts and chrome them for you. I had a 72 Triumph 650 and got a ton of parts chromed for it. Looked great. Also front bumper for 65 Chevy pickup. Looked great and usually cost maybe a case of beer which after giving it to him, got to help drink it 
1956 Corvette upgraded to 57 RPO 579D, including SB400, Rochester FI, Muncie, HD brakes/susp
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Yes, chrome plating is expensive. I worked at a chrome shop in the late 60s while going through pre-med. Prices were reasonable then.
SEND A NOTE TO EPA THANKING THEM FOR TODAY'S PRICES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Until they figure out how to copper plate over bondo, I'll need a new rear bumper or a good donor.
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When I got to doing the bumpers on my '55, it was 60% cheaper to get re-pops than to get the originals re-chromed. I went with that.
I'm still waiting for a really nice chrome paint to be developed. They're getting close.
no usuallu just hard solder .
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I have seen pot metal parts filled in with muggy weld and other stuff you use to see at the larger swap meets. The problem is the copper apparently will not plate over the stuff. One way I have heard to solve that is to use acid flux and get some lead based solder over it. Apparently the copper will plate over the lead.
That being said, what the heck do I know, lol.
but I am with the others, the rockets, scoops and backing plates are miserable to rechrome. I did mine 40 years ago or better when I was a teenager. They are still on the car but you could not get all the pits out and the shop did not do repair work so they never looked great from the beginning. I have no doubt that I was not alone in that experience and is why they were some of the first repro chrome parts I can remember on the market.
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I have not. Was starting with something small LOL!
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Here is an alternative.
They did my rear bumper ends and accessory rear guards. I thought they did a terrific job.
![Image]()
They did my rear bumper ends and accessory rear guards. I thought they did a terrific job.
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How long ago was that Mike? All chrome plating costs have almost doubles in the past few years.
My good friend Denny Williams that is the one that reproduces the best 57 hood rockets and and headlight bezels just got 500 pair in stock.
His cost has doubled from 2 years ago when he had the last ones done. It is at a point where he is trying to decide if he will have any more made
Mikey
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In this case, the original hood rocket assemblies never fit good day one. Redoing those is a fools errand!
Mikey
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Mikey - Care to share Denny's info? I am pretty far from chrome, but when I hear stuff like this, I think "should I be looking this far ahead?"
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I was given a quote of $800 by two chrome vendors at the Pomona Swap Meet for the rear bumper of myy '67 Skylark.
I was offered a complete set of restored chrome and stainless for a '56 Chevy...$2,300. No '56 to put it on but I'm thinking about it. I haven't seen it yet.
Bob
I was offered a complete set of restored chrome and stainless for a '56 Chevy...$2,300. No '56 to put it on but I'm thinking about it. I haven't seen it yet.
Bob
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