Seeking thoughts on chrome bumper finish for 1968

[Russ S.]

I had my original bumpers re-chromed. We were very careful to just strip the chrome and leave the factory imperfections. The problem is that the front bumper has a couple small dings on the tip of the bumper that cannot be removed without copper/buff operations. This process will probably remove the factory imperfections and look more like the triple plated show finish.

Any thoughts on which is better? Leave the dings or fix them.

thanks

[Terry B.]

Re: Seeking thoughts on chrome bumper finish for 1968

Hi Russ,

The condition of the chrome is a subjective call by the judges as too how close it is to the original finish and if it wasn't too much more in price, I would have it finished to the best it could be.

Terry

[Paul J.]

Re: Seeking thoughts on chrome bumper finish for 1968

Fix the dings. It will look better and sell faster when the time comes. You won't gain anything by leaving them in with the original finish since it would become a condition issue in judging.

[Edward J.]

Re: Seeking thoughts on chrome bumper finish for 1968

I am with Paul, and once there re-chromed they never like like the factory, Its just not the same process, nor is the type of chrome used today. Just make them look there best or leave the factory finish as is.During the judging process you may loose a condition points.likely a few depending on there overall condition.

[Ron G.]

Re: Seeking thoughts on chrome bumper finish for 1968

The type of chrome that was used back then was Hex chrome that was referred to as blue chrome because it had a blue hue. The chrome that is currently available and has been for the last several years is called Tri-Valent that possesses a yellowish hue to it. Also, the originals had two imperfections where the chrome did not take because of how and where the attachment was on the bumper when time of plating, you could see the copper still visible. Based on my prior research that I have performed, this cannot be duplicated. If it can, I am not aware of it, and NOS front bumpers are almost non existant.

[Terry M.]

Re: Seeking thoughts on chrome bumper finish for 1968

Ron,
Those defects in the chrome around the holes are because during plating the bumper was held on the armature (what us amateurs would call a rack) during the plating operation. I would wager that effect could be recreated if one recreated a reasonable facsimile of the armature or at least enough of it for one bumper. One of my students works for a company that makes the armatures, and he consults with plating companies to minimize such defects. If you really want to duplicate that feature, and money is not an issue, I will bring him up to speed and put you in touch with him. He loves a challenge.

[Paul J.]

Re: Seeking thoughts on chrome bumper finish for 1968

Russ, hexavalent chrome is still used today, but many platers don't use it because of the EPA air quality regulations and hazardous waste requirements (i.e. it's harder and more expensive for a small plater to handle it). But it is a harder metal layer and is used mainly for machine parts and electronics. It also has that nice blue hue like your old wrenches do. If you ask around, you can find a quality plater that uses it. Paul

[Russ S.]

Re: Seeking thoughts on chrome bumper finish for 1968

Thanks for all the thoughts. I decided to fix the dings and rechrome. Money is always an issue and trying to recreate the original work would be too difficult. We will do our best to not over work the finish but different chrome chemistry will change the appearance.

[Paul J.]

Re: Seeking thoughts on chrome bumper finish for 1968

Thanks for all the thoughts. I decided to fix the dings and rechrome. Money is always an issue and trying to recreate the original work would be too difficult. We will do our best to not over work the finish but different chrome chemistry will change the appearance.

Russ, obviously I agree with you, but reread post #7. What I was saying is that you can still find the same chemistry, it will just be more expensive. Paul