All:
I know this is a subject I've brought up in the past however does anyone have a really nice chrome shop they could recommend to redo the bumpers and some trim items on my 1957 series 62? I've reached out to Paul's Chrome but they seem a bit pricey and Librandi's in Harrisburg PA says the turn around time on large pieces is 12 weeks! I'd like to redo my pieces as close to show as possible but I'm hesitant about waiting more than 6 weeks in order for my pieces to be refinished. If anyone has a shop or tips for me that would be terrific. Thanks!
-Tim in VA
One thing you'll find out (and I hope not the hard way) is that if you're looking
for "show quality chrome" it's not going to be cheap. The major factor in cost
between "street" chrome vs. "show" chrome is the labor cost of polishing.
Labor = $$$
There is really no way around this. Paul's is about 30 minutes from my home
in Wexford, PA. He's done work for me and I've been very satisfied. I know
of other shops as well that do excellent work but they are a greater distance
from you which means even higher cost involvement for shipping.
Good luck,
Mike
Paul's does nice work, a bit on the Pricey side. I've been using Space Coast Plating in Melbourne, FL. Quick turnaround, Nice Work, Good prices....
Bobby
I use Space Coast Plating in Melbourne, FL also, they are about 50 minutes from me. They did all the plating on Big Red (my '35 Cad. resto-mod), and on my '73 Cadillac Caribou, and the 1950 Jaguar Mark V I am (still) building (but the chrome is done).
I have heard of good things about Librandi's exc3pt for the price and wait.....what do you want?
39
The season starts in a few weeks, it is too late unless you have cores to send. I would get the pieces re-chromed in late 2017 and reinstall early 2018 off season. I got an economy re-chrome on a 1970 Cadillac rear bumper and it looks like a shiny lake on a windy day - just terrible (not one smooth even section - chromed bumps)- got worse than I paid for. Only use reputable shops.
Ironically these chrome shops are busier during season-don't get it?
Well after talking with Paul's I think I might just go with them after all. I'll finish my back end then work on the front. For the entire back end I was quoted 3k and 6 weeks. Sure it's pricey but if it's as good as everyone says it is then I'll do it. It is a 57 after all and she deserves the best.
I am in NY, but use https://www.redspartsattic.com/ in TX. I bought rear bumpers off him on eBay and was impressed. Sent the rest of chrome down for my '66 and he did a nice job last year. I even sent him the windshield surround for polishing. He also did the brushed surface for shift handle ends and steering wheel spokes.
Excellent customer service, updates, and packing was awesome. I also wanted to see some details, pics, process etc...before I picked someone, and he has good info on his website.
Some of my pics here:
https://www.redspartsattic.com/photo-gallery-3/
Pauls has been around for like 40 years and has survived based on their reputation. I last used them about 40 years ago and would go back to them still today.
As someone who has no idea what chrome costs, what would be an average price to expect to have a 56 front bumper done? $2k?
Depends on how much work it needs. I've been quoted 2400 for my front bumpers and they're coming off a Southern CA car
I'm here in Florida and I have a professional shop. I use Space Coast Plating most of the time for customer's work as well as for my own cars' needs. I have used Pauls and got mixed results (in the past few years). Some hand made intricate brass moldings that were somewhat "delicate" (and certainly irreplaceable considering the time invested in the fabrication of them) were sent to Pauls and they did a wonderful job. Then only about a year ago I sent them a hand made fabricated aluminum grill bar that was polished and mostly finished. They messed it up terrible. I could not believe it and still do not know what they did to it. After talking to the "head guy" (don't recall his name) he said they tried to do it twice and "it's just getting worse". so I said just strip it and send it back. Sometimes it's all about the calibre of craftsmen you employ--- or loose to competitors. Turnover of key personnel can result in some real loss of quality workmanship.
I took the aluminum grill bar after it was returned by Pauls to Space Coast Plating and they did a terrific job. No issues, no big deal, and even "restored" it back from the porosity and surface damage Pauls incurred.
My next stop will be Finishing Touch for really difficult and "needy" pieces. They have a few U-tube videos of a 1938 (IIRC) Cadillac grill that is simply amazing. You really owe it to yourself to watch this video. It definitely shows why this restoring/re-plating process is so expensive. And make no mistake this re-choming stuff is not cheap--- no matter who does it and it will take time. If a shop can offer quick turnaround time, that's always a red flag for me. My father used to say "if you're taking your car into the shop that can get on it right away because they aren't very busy, you really should ask yourself why that is-- there's probably a pretty good reason they aren't very busy"
yet the best advice I can give is I always send some small challenging items first to see the results and then decide.
I've worked for a high quality corvette restoration shop for 17 years lots of survival cars and show cars $150k per car restorations anyway we used this company and would ship for NY to Illinois. I've been thru a couple of shops and seen cars from cheap places, bang for your buck if I put my hard money up check out" precision plating of Quincy Illinois. " Might be a little on high side but work is excellent. That's an inside company I would research them they repair everything u ask them to, show chrome is like a paint job anyone can chrome any one can paint but it's all in prep and prework. Don't cut corners if you want it to last, if that's the case just buy a China repop piece but restore an original part and you want it to last like factory-installed chrome check them out -Jay
I haven't had a lot of dealings with chrome shops except one. I use Advanced Plating in Nashville, TN. I have had them do ALL the chrome for a 1937 Cadillac 7019 and also a 1929 Buick I have. Their chrome is so deep it is amazing. It is far beyond any factory chrome I have ever seen on anything.
Plus, he gives me a 10% discount. The discount was because he did so much for me. Don't get me wrong, you get what you pay for. I have found some pretty decent looking chrome but not like they do. It all depends on how good you want it to look. Also, the more you send.. probably gets a better price.
In addition to the basic chrome on the Cadillac, I had the tail light housings, headlight buckets, total interior metal and the front grill chromed and polished between and around all the ribs. It didn't come from the factory like that. It looks so good I sit and stare at it.
If you decide to send it to them you can let me know ahead of time and use my name. A discount is a discount. :)
Ken Caskey, haven't talked in a while. Where is your shop in Florida?
Hi Tony: the shop is in West Melbourne. Kidd Darrins kidddarrins.com (http://kidddarrins.com)
Regards, Ken in FL
Hey Cadillac Bob, I bought a full 56 front bumper triple chromed and shipped from CA to NJ for 1,850. I plan to take my current bumper off and sell it on ebay. Shipped with a 2X4 wrapped in it to keep it from bending. Fantastic chrome job and shipping. Moparbaby on ebay.
Correction; Moparbaby67 is the ebay name... and it was $1,780
Nearly everyone above has said what needed to be said, there is no rushing nor discounting quality chrome plating.
here some experiences with positive results (note none are "cheap" as subjective a term that is)
Pauls Chrome in Evans City PA
Advanced Plating in Nashville TN
The Finishing Touch in Chicago IL
on a side note here is the 28 minute video that covers what re-chroming restoration takes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27tD_K2t84U
short cuts and being cheap dont go hand in hand with chrome restoration. Pay once, cry once.
Look at the underside of the gull wings on the front bumper. You'll see the surface is rough because the cores themselves were not ground smooth. That detail will be gone after new plating.
Quote from: cadillac ken on March 24, 2017, 07:04:52 PM
And make no mistake this re-choming stuff is not cheap--- no matter who does it and it will take time. "...
yet the best advice I can give is I always send some small challenging items first to see the results and then decide.
Agree on these comments. When I got my quotes many were very close to one another. I went with the shop I chose in above post based on some sample buys on eBay first, then researched his feedback, looked at all the positive eBay comments/feedback, customers, website. I really like the feedback, pictures, and details on the website, along with the first buy, so I went with the guy. The initial timeline was off, as once he got into some of the pieces they required a little more prep work then initially thought, but overall, worked out well. Chuck
Have any of you all had any experience with J&P Plating in Portland IN? Thanks.
Just something to note.
On other forums I have heard you can have the shop de-chrome your part. Then you sandblast the backsides like bumpers. And then return them for the chrome work. Some shops no matter the level. Don’t deal with the inside nooks and crannies in bumpers. So some of that rust you may have. Won’t go away. Don’t sandblast the area to be chromed though. Also when you get your parts back inspect all the edges and the big flat areas.
I just got some work don’t and I and a 90-95% with the work. And no it was not concours work but it was real nice.
I recently used the services of redspartsattic.com and had them rechrome a rear bumper end on a '60 convertible.
Joe and his crew did an excellent job and the customer service was outstanding.
He is located in Texas.
B.Wright
I think replating that grille was more complicated than rebuilding the 16-cylinder engine!
I'm very happy that I watched that video, the skill of that shop was amazing amazing amazing!!!
Thanks for the continued feedback but I have since sold my 57