Please recommend for bumper chrome and soft top restoration.

[Michael K.]

There are lot's of choices and the prices really vary. I live in Upstate, NY so shipping needs to be considered. Who does the best work for a reasonable price? Thanks all, Michael Kalogridis

[Alan S.]

Re: Please recommend for bumper chrome and soft top restoration.

Hi Michael,
Since you're willing to ship the parts you may want to consider Librandi Plating. They're located just outside Harrisburg, Pa..
They do very nice work at reasonable prices.
I think even though it would be a LONG day, I'd still make a trip from N.Y. to drop off the parts. That way you can discuss them with someone there, (likely the owner, Todd), and be assured that everyone is clear on what your expectations are and just what they're going to be doing.
Regards,
Alan

[Steven B.]

Re: Please recommend for bumper chrome and soft top restoration.

Michael, there are numerous posts on these and we all have our favorites. Some are below on this page under "Similar Threads". For chrome I recommend Paul's as they will restore, chrome to the quality you want, etc. I suggest you contact the vendors previously mentioned in other posts and who advertise with NCRS, tell them what you want and get a price. Chrome is expensive, especially if done right so beware if you get a low ball price. Do you want driver quality, Top Flight quality, show quality? Look at examples of the plater's work. What do you want for soft top restoration? Do you have bows that need replaced, just a derusting, paint and reassemble, just a new fabric installed? Good Luck! Steve

[Terry D.]

Re: Please recommend for bumper chrome and soft top restoration.

You might want to check the archives, the plating issue has been discussed numerous times. Do you want show quality or driver quality, in the chrome business you get what you pay for. I agree with Alan, wherever you take the chrome you want to talk to the person and make sure you and he both understand what it is you want done. When you say soft top do you mean restoring the frame or installing a new top? Here again the topic would be found in the archives.

[Bob R.]

Re: Please recommend for bumper chrome and soft top restoration.

You will have to find someone local to do the soft top restoration properly. You need the frame on the car to set the fabric properly.

[Bill M.]

Re: Please recommend for bumper chrome and soft top restoration.

I used Sandy's Bumpers to do mid year bumpers and K O spinners nice job but slow. They are in Scenectity N Y . Pretty sure spelled wrong.

[Michael K.]

Re: Please recommend for bumper chrome and soft top restoration.

You will have to find someone local to do the soft top restoration properly. You need the frame on the car to set the fabric properly.

Thanks Bob, I have talked with several companies. Some agree that the frame has to be restoraed, installed on the car for correct adjustment, and then have the vinyl and weatherstrip installed; all resulting in an optimal fit. Others say they can do the whole restoration on the top and it will fit correctly when installed because they use a jig built to the dimensions of the car. Then it would only need minor adjustments. I want to do it correctly once and as you know this is expensive so I don't want to go through the process, pay the bucks and have a poor fit. Not sure what to do. Thanks everyone, mk

[Bob R.]

Re: Please recommend for bumper chrome and soft top restoration.

The problem with the top installation is the frame must be adjusted to the car before the top is installed on the frame. It sounds like a jig would work well but these are fiberglass cars and the door and window fit are not all the same. I spent several hours adjusting the frame and the windows to get everything aligned properly. Originally I had a local convertible top installer put the top on my car and it never fit properly. He did a terrible job and actually ruined the Al Knoch top I bought. I lived with this top for several years and finally last year decided to replace it myself with help from a friend. I studied the Al Knoch video and spent most of a day working on the car. It came out great. I would want to see the workmanship (on a mid year Corvette) of any company installing a top on my car before I would use them. It was an expensive lesson.

[William B.]

Re: Please recommend for bumper chrome and soft top restoration.

I will second Paul's Chrome. Great work.

[Ernest C.]

Re: Please recommend for bumper chrome and soft top restoration.

I have used Labrandi's in Harrisburg Pa (717 944 9442) on 6 cars and have been VERY pleased.