Recommendations please for a good firm for re-chroming

[Martec]

I put out MkII back on the road in 2000 with poor but polished and varnished chrome to save costs. It and the paintwork needs attention and I would like to use a firm with a good recommendation please, between the Midlands and Yorkshire.

I have contacted Castle chroming in Dudley, Derby Plating, Quality Chrome of Hull and another who I can't remember the name of.

Personal recommendations are worth more to me that final price, I need front and rear bumpers plus over riders done. Also as we use steel wheels the early hubcaps and probably the rim bellishers.

I bought some years ago some very nice rim bellishers, they turned out to be smaller in diameter and twice as wide as the MkII type, still don't know what they are off!

Brian

[greenlane]

Hi Brian,
I had a number of items rechromed a few years ago; including bumpers and overriders.
I used ACF Howell in Walsall and can certainly recommend them. I was very happy with the quality.
Regards,
Simon.

[Martec]

Thank you for the recommendation Simon, I'll phone them soon as they don't seem to have a website.

Two prices in so far, £2,500 and £1000 approx!

Brian

[oldtimer]

Hi Brian,
Do you manage to get to either the Classic Car Show at the NEC or Stoneleigh for the Jaguar Auto Jumble Both of these events are in the Autumn and a good place to seek out a good re - chrome

Just a suggestion in passing

P

[piman]

Hello Brian,

a big difference, are the quotes made without seeing the articles?

Alec

[Martec]

Thanks for the tip Oldtimer,

Alec, with only 2 replies to my emails I can't judge if one is expensive or one cheap, Derby plating are £2500 and Castle plating are £1500 ish. Both have recommendations on different forums. Our last rally is in mid September so nothing will be done until then and hopefully I'll have more idea which chromer to use.

Brian

[PPV]

I have used Marque Restore and was pleased with the results but have not used them recently.
What I liked was the personal hands on approach they took. They gave an estimate for indication but only priced when seen.
Details:
Unit 4, Shilton Industrial est., Shilton, Coventry, CV7 9JY
tel 02476622225
Internet: marquerestore.co.uk
Regards,
Paul

[Martec]

Thanks for the recommendation Paul,

We have just got back from another 120 mile navigation rally, I heard someone say of our car 'look at the state of that'. So at lunch break I had a look at the other 20 or so cars of different makes.

Our MkII has as good as and often better bodywork than some, but they all had shiny paint (we have reaction on parts of it) and their chrome was immaculate, our chrome is poor to say the least. It tells its own story.

Brian

PS Castle chrome's estimate is £1000 for bumpers and overiders.

[oldtimer]

Hey Up Brian,
I don't know Naff All about the Chroming process. What I can tell is that 1950's Mk 5 and Mk 7's models had chrome on brass window frames. When the rest of the car had turned to dust the window frames remained perfect. I am led to believe that chrome is porous, so chrome onto steel doesn't last five minutes. A proper sub straight like copper coating, then Chrome gives a much more durable finish.

If there is any truth in the above, this will no doubt have an effect on cost.
What sequence of process are used by the those that have quoted

I recall colleagues telling me how labour intensive the process was and that armies of fellows operated with leather aprons and stood at linishing wheels all day

I suppose the starting point is to establish what process was used on the original bumper etc.
Just had a thought, is yours a Mk 2 with chrome window frames - I've a feeling they were chrome on copper on brass - are they still good ?

Just a few thoughts on the subject

P

[Brakebuster]

the existing chrome HAS to be stripped of using sulphuric acid , then washed,
then the matal work has to be repaired where required, then degreased, and washed,
then a coat of copper is used as chrome wont stick to base metals, then there is another coat of copper if required to cover any pitting, then a coat of nickel which is dull in finish , then a coat of chromium

a very time and labour intensive process that uses very nasty chemicals and processes

i wanted just a badge for the back of my car done, £80 was the quote............

BB

[Martec]

As BB says Oldtimer they use a cocktail of nasty chemicals at all stages, I've been reading 'Derby Plating' write up of the process and they put great emphasis on preparation of the steel after stripping of all old coatings, I have a dent in the rear bumper which they can press out and then repeated copper coats to build up the surface and give the corrosion resistance, followed by a nickel coat and a very, very thin but hard coat of chrome to stop the nickel going dull (apparently its the nickel colour you see).

It is very labour intensive hence the cost, one website said it only copper coats if necessary!!!! As someone else said they give an estimate by email or phone, but an accurate cost on inspection of the items. I have allowed some expected increase in the cost over the quotes as some parts are corroded. After the accumulated costs 13 years ago to put the car on the road, re-chroming was regarded as an extravagance, but now its just plan tatty so has to be done.

Brian

[Brakebuster]

look at the alternative of good condition replacement parts,even new from Heritage ?

might be more cost effective , and you can sell on your old ones for restoration ?


BB

[oldtimer]

Hi Brian and All,
I find it quite fascinating the way in which all the tiny threads of information come together and start to form a sensible route to approach the problem. Armed with this information one is in a position to ask the right questions. Interesting suggestion from BB, like buy new.

P

[piman]

Hello P,

the problem with buying new is how well is the plating done, you can judge the polishing but not what is beneath the chrome? Poor chromework will only last a few years, maybe less but by then it's too late.
That was my experience with another make of car, rust starting to come through after a couple of years.

Alec

[oldtimer]

Alec, you're so right, one hasn't a clue as to who made it, what the base material is all about let alone the finish. Bit of a dilemma in some resects

P