Author Topic: CHROME (Read 14702 times)

anychevy · « **on:** March 20, 2012, 10:52:21 AM »

Hi guys
New to this forum, but not new to corvettes.
Can anyone recommend an electroplater in Sydney who can do a decent job on bumpers, at a fair price and won't take months ?
Cheers
Dave

StephenSLR · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2012, 11:45:12 AM »

Going off a tip in another forum:

'Blu-chrome' at Bankstown

s

Chromie · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2012, 12:04:46 PM »

Quote from: anychevy link=topic=9103.msg1045942255#msg1045942255

Hi guys
New to this forum, but not new to corvettes.
Can anyone recommend an electroplater in Sydney who can do a decent job on bumpers, at a fair price and won't take months ?
Cheers
Dave

Hamilton Chrome in Newcastle (02) 4961-1033
I have tried all the one's in Sydney and have not been happy. I have found Hamilton Chrome to be quick (2 weeks) quote up front and they stick to their quote and I have always been happy with the quality

StephenSLR · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2012, 12:21:50 PM »

Quote from: Chromie link=topic=9103.msg1045942257#msg1045942257

I have tried all the one's in Sydney and have not been happy.

I've also read the same about chrome-platers in Sydney, many are choosing to send their stuff interstate. I think there's an issue with chemicals used as well, the restrictions aren't as tight in Victoria.

Have also heard good things about the one in Hamilton.

s

anychevy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2012, 01:17:13 PM »

Quote from: Chromie link=topic=9103.msg1045942257#msg1045942257

Hamilton Chrome in Newcastle (02) 4961-1033
I have tried all the one's in Sydney and have not been happy. I have found Hamilton Chrome to be quick (2 weeks) quote up front and they stick to their quote and I have always been happy with the quality

Cool, thanks guys.
The front bars are a little dull, but the back have been re done and still look good.
I'll be working up there in the next few weeks, so that'll work out well.
Cheers
PS
Congrats on the band Steve, "triple j" still cool after all these years

StephenSLR · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2012, 01:25:03 PM »

Quote from: anychevy link=topic=9103.msg1045942259#msg1045942259

The front bars are a little dull, but the back have been re done and still look good.

Be sure to get them triple plated and check whether they do any prep work, straightening, polishing, etc. otherwise you'll have to get that sorted yourself.

Is this for a Corvette?

s

anychevy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2012, 01:41:11 PM »

Quote from: StephenSLR link=topic=9103.msg1045942260#msg1045942260

Is this for a Corvette?

Yeah, you've seen the photo, it arrives today

The front are straight, original, not rusty, no damage, just dull and pretty sure beyong polishing.

StephenSLR · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2012, 01:45:38 PM »

Quote from: anychevy link=topic=9103.msg1045942261#msg1045942261

The front are straight, original, not rusty, no damage, just dull and pretty sure beyong polishing.

The polishing comes after stripping off the old chrome and before chroming. It has to be done right for the best finish.

s

anychevy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2012, 01:50:35 PM »

Quote from: StephenSLR link=topic=9103.msg1045942262#msg1045942262

The polishing comes after stripping off the old chrome and before chroming. It has to be done right for the best finish.

Yes, like everything, it's all in the preperation, but what I meant was, they won't polish up as they are.
The chrome has faded beyond what any metal polish can achieve.
So they need to be stripped back to steel and rechromed.
Cheers

StephenSLR · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2012, 01:55:15 PM »

Quote from: anychevy link=topic=9103.msg1045942263#msg1045942263

Yes, like everything, it's all in the preperation

This is what I'm getting at, some places only do plating, they don't strip or polish so you have to be sure to ask questions and make sure you're getting it done right and/or have it prepped right (elsewhere) before you get it plated.

s

bfit · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2012, 01:56:09 PM »

StephenSLR
hit the nail on the head
the problem is in the prep work
it that is not done correctly you will get Sh_t

the work is labour intensive and that is what you pay for

its only electroplating it easy and straight forward
cathode and anode current DC as I remember it and a way you go.
it not quite that easy, but that is the principle of it.

and it need to be done slowly, when you put the chrome on to quickly it will not last

IN the old days the job would have been copper plated before chrome plating
the chrome will not plate straight to steel to well.
I an interested to hear your results
I have some bar work to do in the near future
Bfit

anychevy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2012, 02:03:45 PM »

Quote from: StephenSLR link=topic=9103.msg1045942264#msg1045942264

This is what I'm getting at, some places only do plating, they don't strip or polish so you have to be sure to ask questions and make sure you're getting it done right and/or have it prepped right (elsewhere) before you get it plated.

Oh, now I'm with you, o.k. so make sure they strip it all back to steel, polish the bare steel to remove all the grinder marks etc.
Then plate with copper then triple plate with chrome ?
Right, I didn't know you could chrome straight over old chrome ?
Thanks fellas

StephenSLR · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2012, 02:25:22 PM »

Quote from: anychevy link=topic=9103.msg1045942266#msg1045942266

I didn't know you could chrome straight over old chrome ?

Not sure if anyone does but you wouldn't want to. Chrome is porous and if you chrome steel without the copper plating it'll start to rust quickly.

All previous plating has to be stripped then it gets polished and some places don't strip or polish, you get it to them already prepped.

Once stripped and polished the polish should be inspected before dipping in the baths and then inspected afterwards. If the first plating is not good it needs to be stripped back again in a caustic bath.

After the copper plating is done, it has to be inspected, polished and then into the next tank for nickel plating. The nickel plating has to be as good as the copper plating.

The chrome is then the third plating = triple plated.

Not many places will go to these lengths.

s

StephenSLR · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2012, 03:24:45 PM »

Quote from: anychevy link=topic=9103.msg1045942261#msg1045942261

it arrives today

Be sure to post up some pics.

s

bfit · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2012, 04:31:28 PM »

Stephen
Have described the whole process quite well
Blue Chrome has been recommended to me my a a club member.
I would trust this persons word .

He also said their work is not cheap.

His bar work on the 72 looks very good
Bfit

StephenSLR · « **Reply #15 on:** March 20, 2012, 05:06:27 PM »

Quote from: Bfit link=topic=9103.msg1045942269#msg1045942269

Stephen
Have described the whole process quite well
Blue Chrome has been recommended to me my a a club member.

He also said their work is not cheap.

Triple plating isn't cheap and some opt just for a copper base.

I've also heard that Blu Chrome could do better with the polishing aspect.

Ultimate Shine is another I've heard of and they advertise themselves as metal polishers who do chrome plating, haven't seen any of their work though.

http://www.ultimateshine.com.au/

Ask many questions to get a feel for what they're doing and if you want a good job you have to pay accordingly. Triple chrome sure does look good when done right.

s

anychevy · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2012, 05:41:34 PM »

Quote from: StephenSLR link=topic=9103.msg1045942270#msg1045942270

Ask many questions to get a feel for what they're doing and if you want a good job you have to pay accordingly. Triple chrome sure does look good when done right.

I've never had to get anything rechromed before, so this is a first for me.
Thanks for the advice, I'll definately talk to both of them first.

Shane Finn · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2012, 06:00:29 PM »

You might also consider these guys:

http://www.aclassmetal.com.au/

I had all 4 alloy wheels re-chromed by these guys when no-one else would touch them. They did a magnificant job and even re-chromed the plastic centre caps.

StephenSLR · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2012, 10:36:33 PM »

I also hear All Metal Bumpers are good if you want to straighten bumpers, get the kinks out as they have presses to reshape them.

They can also prep them for plating but I'm not sure of the quality of their plating.

http://www.allmetalbumpers.com.au/

Is that the Corvette in Aus. or a pic of it in the US?

s

anychevy · « **Reply #19 on:** March 21, 2012, 09:02:04 AM »

Quote from: StephenSLR link=topic=9103.msg1045942276#msg1045942276

Is that the Corvette in Aus. or a pic of it in the US?

That's Here.
6-1/2 weeks from the day I transfered the funds, to arrival at my house.
Micks US musclecars did a great job with the shipping.
Sorry to hear your car got held up Steve.
One typo and it can all go pear shaped.