'63 Parts to chrome

[Irby G.]

Hi all. I'm just about to begin (actually restart) restoration on my 63 340. I'm in Hawaii and will be taking a trip to Colorado later. Since shipping is exorbitant to/ from here, I was thinking I could fill a suitcase with all the parts that need re-chroming. I'd like to bring my bumpers, spinners and such.
Quick question...Looking at the mirrors, door handles (smaller parts). which if any of those smaller parts can be re-chromed?

Given the airlines propensity to lose baggage, I'll be putting extra insurance on the bag.
(United Airlines does not provide insurance for checked or unchecked baggage. United will accept baggage with a declared value up to $5,000 USD/CAD provided the item is properly described, properly packaged and undamaged.) For $3000 of insurance it looks like they charge you ~$30....not too bad.

Aloha and thanks in advance.
Irby

[Richard M.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Irby, That's gong to be a really big suitcase, or several cases. Bumpers are very big, and all 4 will be a enormous area.

Then you need to protect them from eachother after chrome. The chrome shop can do them while you're there?

Rich

[Irby G.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Hi Rich.
Google shows there being several plating shops there in Denver. They advertise a 4 day turn around. I'm still looking into everything to see if I'll be able to do any of this. If they won't fit into a suitcase, I might possibly use a couple of well cushioned boxes.

[Richard M.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Irby, Wow a 4 day turnaround is amazing. I've typically waited 8 weeks over here on the east coast.

Did you call to confirm that if you lug all of that over to the mainland they'll accommodate you in time?

Rich

[Joe R.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Irby,
You should confirm that the company does Pot Metal (mirrors, door handles,etc) before you pay the extra. Might be cheaper to just buy those parts already chromed from some specialty warehouse.

JR

[Stuart F.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Start your own chrome shop in Hawaii. Sounds like there's a market there.

Stu Fox

[Irby G.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Rich, yeah. Definitely will be calling and confirming that I will get them done and back to me in time. I'm hoping if I set it all up in advance, he won't have a problem getting right to work on them.

Joe, Thanks I'll do that. Do you know if the new parts would pass judging?

Stu. They had a guy doing some plating here but (even as expensive as the shipping is from here to the mainland) it was much cheaper just to get it done somewhere else.

Speaking of price, what should I expect to pay for show quality job on my bumpers?

[Richard M.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Irby there are some shops that do triple(copper/nickel/chrome) plating, and some that do not use copper. Price will vary based on that. Askthem what their process is when getting a quote. But keep in mind that original GM chrome was not as "nice' as today's triple chrome process.

I recently had triple done on 4 '67 corners....$300 each and $120 for the license bar. Some shops more, some less. Geography sometimes plays a role also. Pics of the fronts in this post.
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...412#post753412

One other thing I just thought of.....make sure your bumpers are original that you're sinking money into. You may not want to spend lots on rechroming repro bumpers. Originals are 0.110 to 0.118" thick, and have unique weld nut features on them. Lots of recent info and a info-article link there too.
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...126#post745126

Rich

[Joe R.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Rich, yeah. Definitely will be calling and confirming that I will get them done and back to me in time. I'm hoping if I set it all up in advance, he won't have a problem getting right to work on them.

Joe, Thanks I'll do that. Do you know if the new parts would pass judging?

Stu. They had a guy doing some plating here but (even as expensive as the shipping is from here to the mainland) it was much cheaper just to get it done somewhere else.

Speaking of price, what should I expect to pay for show quality job on my bumpers?

Irby,

Anytime you can restore originals you are better off.

Take the door handles made by Trim Parts. Beautiful parts but not correct as well as the rear view mirror from Paragon has the wrong snap ring holding the glass in.
The above are easy to spot even by some challenged judges.

JR

[Irby G.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Rich...thanks for the links. Love the job you're doing on the 67. I don't have a lot of time right now but in a few days I want to go thru the whole thread. It'll help me a lot to wrap my head around getting organized to get my project going.

Joe...I wasn't sure that I could even have those smaller parts restored. I know that my drive side mirror has a lot of pitting in the chrome. Not sure how deep it is or if it can be repaired. Door handles look pretty clean as does the interior mirror.

[Irby G.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Welp...after following y'alls advice, I discovered that my fronts and license plate bar are original. Bad news....rears are early repros.
How do these look to y'all?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252091651564?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#viTabs_0

I still need to contact the seller and get them to mike them.
Thanks,
Irby

[Richard M.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Irby, Are you positive those rears are repros?

Thickness can vary. The square nuts have a distinctive shape and weld points and the outer tips are unique. Can you post a close-up of those features? Just want you to be sure. Or are there obvious Paragon labels on them or other repro identifier?

If convinced, yes those for sale look pretty nice. It would save you from lugging a few stateside.

Rich

[Irby G.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Rich...one of them has Genuine GM Part tag on it. Here's the pics...Rear Bumpers1.jpgRear Bumpers2.jpgRear Bumpers.jpg

The thickness is ~ .097" - .100" for both. I can get closer pics if needed. I'm pretty sure that y'all will tell me the bad news, though, that they are not re-chrome worthy.

[Richard M.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

The one with that GM tag is clearly not a repro then, it's a Service replacement, but still GM. If the other has similar features, it likely is too.

They look like nice cores to me.

Rich

[Irby G.]

Re: '63 Parts to chrome

Since these are GM service replacements, do you think it's worth spending getting them re-chromed?