Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

[Michael B.]

Hi - I am removing my front and rear glass stainless in preparation for body painting on my 63 Coupe. Due to the nature of this pricey trim, I'm seeking recommendations from the group as to who to use for polishing and flash chrome. I'm in Texas, but will send anywhere to any shop that members have personal experience/knowledge of in restoring stainless. In advance, thank you for any help or guidance you all are able to provide.

[Bob W.]

Re: Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

Mike I sent two of my worst pieces to Bob Mayle @ Stainless Trim Restoration in NY. One was hit with 80 grit da the other had a 1/8 drill hole. He saved both. Some times his ad is in the driveline or go to his web page. Nice guy great work and fair price.

Bob

[Michael B.]

Re: Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

Hey Bob - Thank you so much for the quick response and recommendation. I will call him tomorrow! Have a great remaining 2016!!!!!!

[Alan S.]

Re: Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

Hi Michael,
You mentioned 'flash chrome' too.
Many shops restore and polish stainless steel trim parts but VERY few shops do chrome plating on stainless steel.
Adding that requirement really limits the possibilities.
Regards,
Alan

[Michael B.]

Re: Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

Hi Alan -

Thank you very much for your insight. I mentioned the flash chrome based upon considerable posts I found about it on another forum. I really didn't know what that was and it's benefits. I spoke to Bob about this today and he helped me understand today's restoration process which negates the need for flash chrome. I very much appreciate your help, Alan.

[Michael B.]

Re: Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

Hi Alan -

Thank you very much for your insight. I mentioned the flash chrome based upon considerable posts I found about it on another forum. I really didn't know what that was and it's benefits. I spoke to Bob about this today and he helped me understand today's restoration process which negates the need for flash chrome. I very much appreciate your help, Alan.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

Michael,

Can you describe the reason why there is no flash chrome used when he restores stainless trim.

[Alan S.]

Re: Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

Hi Michael,
I really don't understand how the need for the flash chrome process can be 'negated'.
The flash chroming changes the 'hue' of even just polished stainless.
Here's a picture of the top trim on a windshield header.
The corner casting is chrome plated.
The large piece of stainless trim has been polished but not flash chrome plated. Note the difference even between the chrome plated screw and the ss trim.
The long thin piece of ss trim still has it's original flash chrome finish.
I think the color of the large piece of ss trim is what is typical for polished stainless that hasn't been flash chrome plated.
The difference is NOT nearly as noticeable when the 2 materials aren't right next to each other as in this application.
This difference has now also become an issue with 68+ rally wheel trim rings that are being 'restored' but not flash chrome plated. When a restored but unplated ring is put next to an original ring the color difference is obvious. I think this is the reason that the value of original 68-72 unrestored PRODUCTION LINE rings has gotten so high.
I'm still interested in hearing about a shop that flash chromes stainless steel trim.
Regards,
Alan

[Michael B.]

Re: Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

Hi Alan -

Thanks for the follow-up, Alan. Super, super question!

Most everything I've read from enthusiests in the corvette community tells me that the polished stainless needs to be flash chromed. This is why i requested input from other NCRS members in finding a shop that does this process.

From what I heard from Bob Mayles is that GM flash chromed the stainless in lieu of having to have it all polished. He advised that folks often have their stainless ending up with a yellowish cast during the polishing process because of heat. He stated that his process has yielded several NCRS top Flights and Bloomington cars and that his particular polishing process does not generate enough heat to cause the off color hue.

Other than reply that Bob Winter was kind enough to provide, I presently have no other point of comparison in vendors. I am hopeful other members will chime in with a recommended shop that also flash chromes, so that I may make an informed decision as to where to send my trim. Appreciate you keeping my thread alive!!!!! Hopefully, we can hear from others.....

Hi Michael,
I really don't understand how the need for the flash chrome process can be 'negated'.
The flash chroming changes the 'hue' of even just polished stainless.
Here's a picture of the top trim on a windshield header.
The corner casting is chrome plated.
The large piece of stainless trim has been polished but not flash chrome plated. Note the difference even between the chrome plated screw and the ss trim.
The long thin piece of ss trim still has it's original flash chrome finish.
I think the color of the large piece of ss trim is what is typical for polished stainless that hasn't been flash chrome plated.
The difference is NOT nearly as noticeable when the 2 materials aren't right next to each other as in this application.
This difference has now also become an issue with 68+ rally wheel trim rings that are being 'restored' but not flash chrome plated. When a restored but unplated ring is put next to an original ring the color difference is obvious. I think this is the reason that the value of original 68-72 unrestored PRODUCTION LINE rings has gotten so high.
I'm still interested in hearing about a shop that flash chromes stainless steel trim.
Regards,
Alan

[Alan S.]

Re: Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

Hi Michael,
Thanks for the additional information on the need for flash chrome plating on stainless.
My experience has been that a freshly polished but unplated piece of ss trim looks pretty good right next to a chrome plated piece of trim but as time goes by the yellow hue intensifies.

Here's a quote from a DB post by John Hinkley dated 2011.
"The difference is the icy-blue appearance of flash-chromed polished stainless; it's only apparent when you put two pieces (one flash-chromed, one not) adjacent or side-by-side. The piece without the flash-chrome (which is clear) will appear slightly yellowish relative to the icy-blue appearance of the flash-chromed piece. The chrome flash protects the bare stainless from oxidation."

IS there someone flash chroming stainless steel parts?
Regards,
Alan

[Michael B.]

Re: Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

Hi Tim - Yes, he said his polishing materials and process creates exceptional trim with the beauty and gloss of plated, but contains no off-color cast. He cautioned that no polishes or chrome cleaners should be used on the stainless in that it would cause stratches. He recommended regular quote wax as a protecterant. Hope that helps. Right now, I trying to find a shop that both polishes and flas chromes. Mike

[Michael B.]

Re: Need a Stainless Steel Trim Restoration Shop

Hey Alan, I am hopeful someone will see this thread and give us the name of someone who does it!!! Thx, Mike