Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

[David S.]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for a vendor who does NCRS quality chrome work. I need to have a set of front and rear bumpers redone.

Thanks,
Dave

[Ralph P.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

You'll have to decide between NCRS ( Typical GM Factory Appearance) OR "Perfect show chrome"......

[Rick A.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

check with Dick at Virginia Vettes

[Wayne W.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

You'll have to decide between NCRS ( Typical GM Factory Appearance) OR "Perfect show chrome"......

Yea, most wouldnt be happy with typical factory appearance.

[Steven B.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

Paul's Chrome will, and has done, either. They are excellent platers.

[Michael G.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

You'll have to decide between NCRS ( Typical GM Factory Appearance) OR "Perfect show chrome"......

Dave,

What Ralph writes is truly the case. Original bumpers were somewhat wavey. Most of the bumpers I've seen were way too "pretty"....smooth and flawless. I took the path of a good rechrome job. Still have some wave, not much but not too pretty as well. Used a local plater in Okc.

[Frank E.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

I used Tri-City Plating in Elizabethton TN a couple of years ago for my front corners. Great work and great chrome. Yeah, they are better than what GM made but just about anything we do to a restoration is way over done as compared to what the factory did. Enjoy the shine.....

[Mark D.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

I'm looking for a vendor who does NCRS quality chrome work.

If you are really trying to replicate the original standard, Richard Fortier is a guy that understands what that is and he and his chromer can deliver that look. Best to know what you're getting into because either you and/or your customer will most likely have a stroke when you see the end result.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's beautiful but most would not agree.

Regards,

Mark

[Domenic T.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

I think one problem with chrome shops is that the people that actually do the work don't stay in one shop very long.

My last experiance was with a chromer in Helena, MT.

I looked at his work (show chrome) and it was great and he said it was a family shop they operated for 27 years.

First batch was great, second was not so good and I sent a few pieces back and got some lip.

When I called them about my parts they said they did not have Quality control as there were only 2 of them.

I said that's not what you said when I visited you and they said they didn't meet me because they bought the shop a little over 6 Mos ago.

Another in Orange Co CA.
I had good work and requested the same guy that did it. He no longer worked there.

It's a crap shoot unless the owner of the shop sets a standard and checks ALL the work.

DOM

[Terry M.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

Mark has it right. At the Sacramento Regional John "RD" Ballard offered to do an exterior presentation for the afternoon part of the Advanced Judging Seminar. I took him up on his offer to the joy of my students. While he did wax rhapsodic about paint, he also mentioned the details of how to tell original chrome bumpers and showed my students on the assembled cars.

The lack of chrome "throw" into the interior corners of original C2 front & rear and C3 rear bumpers became obvious. He also showed the discoloration around the "hanging holes" on the bottom of the C3 front bumpers. If those areas are all bright and shiny you can expect at least a 20% deduction for "show chrome."

You decide what you want, be sure your plater understands the difference, and then be prepared to deal with the results of your decision. Make sure it is your decision, not someone else's.

[John D.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

Most of the show cars I see have bumpers that don't come close to being correct.
I will always remember what the owner of a plating shop told me in 1965. At that time I was always building chrome plated hotrods with chrome chassis' etc. Anyhow I drove my new 65 to show the owner of the shop the lousy POC bumpers on the Corvette. I told John from American Bumper Service (long gone) that I wanted him to do the bumpers over. So he said bring the car down. I arrived at lunch time and most of his help was outside eating lunch. They all came around and checked the car out. John said to me if his business turned work out like my 65 bumpers they would be out of business. He told me to take the bumpers off and he would straighten out all the waves and crappy workmanship. And so he did. They were drop dead beautiful but were they original. Nope.
When the cars were brand new gang they were nothing to brag about but we loved them anyway.

[Dennis C.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

I will cast a second vote for Paul's Chrome.

Regards,

Dennis

[Jerry B.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

Today, I called Tri-city chrome. We discussed the process that this shop uses. 1) they only work with only metal parts (no cast iron) 2) they use a 2 step nickel and a single chrome. I always thought brass,nickel,then chrome was the best. Appreciate any opinions.

[John H.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

Today, I called Tri-city chrome. We discussed the process that this shop uses. 1) they only work with only metal parts (no cast iron) 2) they use a 2 step nickel and a single chrome. I always thought brass,nickel,then chrome was the best. Appreciate any opinions.

Jerry -

Original GM factory chrome was nickel first, then chrome (which is clear).

"Show Chrome" at most shops is copper first, then nickel, then chrome.

[Steven B.]

Re: Who Does Excellent Chrome work (Midyear Bumpers)

[quote=John DeGregory (2855);579553]Most of the show cars I see have bumpers that don't come close to being correct.
I will always remember what the owner of a plating shop told me in 1965. At that time I was always building chrome plated hotrods with chrome chassis' etc. Anyhow I drove my new 65 to show the owner of the shop the lousy POC bumpers on the Corvette. I told John from American Bumper Service (long gone) that I wanted him to do the bumpers over. So he said bring the car down. I arrived at lunch time and most of his help was outside eating lunch. They all came around and checked the car out. John said to me if his business turned work out like my 65 bumpers they would be out of business. He told me to take the bumpers off and he would straighten out all the waves and crappy workmanship. And so he did. They were drop dead beautiful but were they original. Nope.
When the cars were brand new gang they were nothing to brag about but we loved them anyway.[/quote]

Ditto. I bought an extra set of NOS front bumpers in '67 and they were worse than the original ones. Waves and unplated edges, slag, etc.