Who restores original Ash Trays? Flash Chromers?

[David S.]

Hi Guys,

I have a few ash tray's here that I would like to have restored. Can anyone recommend someone that restores that? Or can anyone recommend something that plates in Flash chrome?

Thanks,
Dave

[Edward J.]

Re: Who restores original Ash Trays? Flash Chromers?

Dave, Chances are the flash chromers out there will do to good of a job. My 72 ash tray I took some extra fine steel wool and cleaned the bottom, and polished the outside perimeter with metal polish, mine had some minor rust on bottom, This was removed with the steel wool. looked great when done. its amazing what a little cleaning and polishing will do to some of the small parts like that.

[Valeria H.]

Re: Who restores original Ash Trays? Flash Chromers?

I do not know about flash chroming but Advanced Plating in Nashville did a fab job on rechroming many different items for me along with an ashtray.
www.advancedplating.com
They are used as the rechromers for the Sat am TV program where they restore old cars. I'm blanking on the name of the show.

Valeria

[Chuck W.]

Re: Who restores original Ash Trays? Flash Chromers?

Hi Guys,

I have a few ash tray's here that I would like to have restored. Can anyone recommend someone that restores that? Or can anyone recommend something that plates in Flash chrome?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,

flash chroming just doesn't have a copper base coating. The part material needs to be very smooth or the imperfections will transmit through the nickel and chrome. Any chrome plater can technically flash chrome.

[Jim W.]

Re: Who restores original Ash Trays? Flash Chromers?

I've have had a number of items chromed or zinc plated by Frankford Plating, and every job was a really nice job done to perfection. They ship in and out UPS every day. The owner ( Al Largent,Jr.) knows exactly what a NCRS car needs. Great Car Guy.

Frankford Plating Inc.
2505 Orthodox Street
Philadelphia, PA 19137-1683
1-888-288-4525
215-288-4518

[Chuck G.]

Re: Who restores original Ash Trays? Flash Chromers?

Dave,

flash chroming just doesn't have a copper base coating. The part material needs to be very smooth or the imperfections will transmit through the nickel and chrome. Any chrome plater can technically flash chrome.

Todd Librandi, of Librandi's Plating in Harrisburg, PA will do flash chrome for you, BUT...............................

Flash chrome is NOT as "good" as triple chrome. Imperfections, etc WILL show through.

An example that comes to mind is chrome BB valve covers.

A lot of platers don't like to do "flash chrome" because customers don't understand what it is. When they get the product back, they're disappointed in the finish................... expecting it to look like triple chrome plate.

Chuck

[Duane R.]

Re: Who restores original Ash Trays? Flash Chromers?

Franklin Plating recromed a set of valve covers and an air cleaner lid for me at a "street chrome" level which is what you are probably looking for. The valve covers came out fine with a much thinner chrome appearance that did show some flaws in the metal surfaces. The air cleaner lid had to be send back for lack of coverage which probably resulted from inattention. Overall I was pleased with the result.

BTW, several chrome companies have told me that "flash" chrome is only a clear coating used on polished stainless to provide a durable coating and is not a copper, nickle and chrome process.

[Jean C.]

Re: Who restores original Ash Trays? Flash Chromers?

BTW, several chrome companies have told me that "flash" chrome is only a clear coating used on polished stainless to provide a durable coating and is not a copper, nickle and chrome process.

Duane, I believe you have been misinformed by the platers who told you that. Flash chroming does not require a stainless steel base and it as Chuck stated, is plating with nickel and chrome layers only. My plater did flash chrome on the plated pieces of ignition shielding on my '64 even though before doing it he said it would look bad when done and would not hold up. He couldn't understand why I wanted it to look duller that triple plate work.

I think that a lot of platers do not want to do flash chrome because it is no where near the deep and bright finish of triple plated chrome. Joe the Plater is not keen to have you tell someone that Joe the Plater did your chrome when the flash chrome pieces look like a half ass job. Just like most painters who do not want to turn out anything other than a block sanded, mirror finish paint job. There rep is on the line.

Best regards,

[Steven C.]

Re: Who restores original Ash Trays? Flash Chromers?

I've have had a number of items chromed or zinc plated by Frankford Plating, and every job was a really nice job done to perfection. They ship in and out UPS every day. The owner ( Al Largent,Jr.) knows exactly what a NCRS car needs. Great Car Guy.

Frankford Plating Inc.
2505 Orthodox Street
Philadelphia, PA 19137-1683
1-888-288-4525
215-288-4518

Jim, was Frankford recently sold? Jonathan Barger used to own it and under his stewardship your favorable comment would be unusual.