Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

[Tom L.]

I just received my once dinged up and dull windshield trim parts back from Paul's. There's absolutely no evidence of the dings/dents and they look great.

What a change from the Driveline advertiser that kept my bumpers, valve covers, etc. for a year, destroyed three original parts and had to re-do the rear bumpers that were chromed over loose rust flakes and who still has one bumperette almost two years later because his small rust hole repair failed twice.

It's nice to deal with a company that does what they say they'll do, on time and on budget. I wish I knew about them before I went to the other guy.

[Tom S.]

Re: Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

I'm glad everything worked out for you. I am looking for bumpers for my 65 and really don't know what to do? Tom

[Chuck S.]

Re: Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

What?!...No pics, description, or prices!

You must be talking about the cast ends that receive the top pins. Mine could use freshening up, but I figured it would cost nearly a thousand to do the two sides. I have previous experience with Paul's (broken fender grille) and agree with your conclusion.

This thread also reminded me that they could "fix" my rear bumpers that were drilled for a trailer hitch. ( %#@*& yayhoos) I had always figured I would just use repos, but there is nothing more original than the originals...waves and all. I expect the money would be about the same...$$$$.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

This thread also reminded me that they could "fix" my rear bumpers that were drilled for a trailer hitch. ( %#@*& yayhoos) I had always figured I would just use repos, but there is nothing more original than the originals...waves and all. I expect the money would be about the same...$$$$.

Chuck, the rear bumpers on my '57 had holes drilled out for a trailer. I sent them to Paul's and they welded them shut before rechroming and I didn't even ask them to do it. PT

[Chuck S.]

Re: Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

Chuck, the rear bumpers on my '57 had holes drilled out for a trailer. I sent them to Paul's and they welded them shut before rechroming and I didn't even ask them to do it. PT

Hi Patrick...How much? How long ago?

[Steven B.]

Re: Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

Paul's is excellent. That is why so many Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Meadowbrook cars have Paul's repairs and finishes. They are true craftsmen.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

Hi Patrick...How much? How long ago?

About $800 for the pair in 1992. PT

[Dan M.]

Re: Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

Could someone drop a web link to Paul's and also some feedback on the prep work done prior to sendiing the parts off to them.

I have a set of stock 68 rear bumpers I want rechromed. Does Paul's do all deburring, buffing or polishing or do you guys do most of the prep work prior to sending them off for re-chrome?

[Chuck S.]

Re: Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

Could someone drop a web link to Paul's and also some feedback on the prep work done prior to sendiing the parts off to them.

I have a set of stock 68 rear bumpers I want rechromed. Does Paul's do all deburring, buffing or polishing or do you guys do most of the prep work prior to sending them off for re-chrome?

If he does restoration, including welding/brazing up surface pits, holes, and missing detail, you can be confident they do all of it. They probably don't want you to do any "prep" work". Call them to make the arrangements; all you have to do is ship it to them.

The only thing I wasn't completely happy with on my fender grille is the louvers originally had a rough sand cast finish...Paul's polished everything, even down inside the louvers. I assumed the rough finish was intentional to provide adhesion for the paint...more likely it was because GM knew it would be painted, and the rough finish didn't need to be polished; save time, save money.

http://www.paulschrome.com/

[Alan S.]

Re: Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

Hi Chuck,
The difficulty that I found with re-plating the header corners is that small textured area they have that the hole for the white nylon bushing is in. The platers I spoke to felt that texture would be lost.
Has anyone had their corners re-plated and 'saved' the texture?
Regards,
Alan

[Chuck S.]

Re: Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

Hi Chuck,
The difficulty that I found with re-plating the header corners is that small textured area they have that the hole for the white nylon bushing is in. The platers I spoke to felt that texture would be lost.
Has anyone had their corners re-plated and 'saved' the texture?
Regards,
Alan

I had forgotten about that textured area...I had to go out and lift a T-top to see what you were talking about.

I would talk to Paul's and see what they say about keeping the texture; if they do restoration everyday, they must have had such a request and know how to deal with it.

I can't remember if I specified the louvers were to be left rough...I might have assumed they knew that part was painted, and if it was rough already, then it didn't need to be polished. I've learned since not to assume anything when it comes to work specification.

My opinion is the corners could be plated without eliminately the texture, because chrome plating is very thin. But, that area could not be smoothed in prep, or polished after plating...that would eliminate the texture.

The problem is communication of how the finished part is supposed to look to the people that actually do the work. How successful the shop management is in this communication determines the quality of the finished product. The guys that are on those heavy duty buffing machines have their usual goal in mind...make it smooth and/or make it shiny.

[Paul J.]

Re: Another impressive job by Paul's Chrome

I spoke to Paul's yesterday while they were in Charlotte. They had a booth at the Auto Fair. I was impressed as he was pretty knowledgable, and I'll be contacting him soon to replate some of my parts.

Chuck, I asked him what they prefer me to do (or not to do) before I send them to him, and he said just clean them up. He was being polite but he obviously did not want me to do any prep work.

Paul