Chrome Plating

[68camaroz28]

I posted this in my build thread but know many search topics and wanted to communicate how great a pleasure its been working with Jon at Custom Chrome Plating. One deals with many people during a restoration and for the most part its just goes with the process, sometimes can be aggravating, but once in awhile a company or individual stands out or excites the customer which in this case is ME. 😊 If anyone is looking for chrome work and a company that does it correct from the actual chrome plating to how they handle their business and customers then try Jon Wright’s CCP Custom Chrome Plating in Grafton, OH. I had some issues with a prominent platter and East Coast Muscle Cars recommended trying CCP back a couple years ago and wow what a difference.  I myself have sent many there and everyone has been extremely happy with the results. I’ve talked to Jon several times and he’s even called me to assist and offer suggestions. The CCP team have chromed many parts for both our 68Z and some Corvette parts and each time its like Christmas when you open the box. And this past Nov. Jon the CCP team celebrated 45 years in business. For sure when I have our car completed and have a placard thanking contributors Custom Chrome Plating will be prominently identified. Thanks Jon! Great guy to deal with and like us, a car guy first. Some more original parts off our car recently chromed & received. By the way the red bag holds the two screws also re-chromed for the qtr. window trim.

[Mike S]

Hi Chick,
    I have a few items I need to get re-chromed soon. I'll certainly look at this vendor.
Do they plate using the copper-nickel-chrome process? So many shops leave out the copper step these days.

Mike

[JohnZ]

<< Do they plate using the copper-nickel-chrome process? So many shops leave out the copper step these days. >>

Leaving off the copper base was the original GM process - GM "factory chrome" was only nickel and chrome.

[69Z28-RS]

<< Do they plate using the copper-nickel-chrome process? So many shops leave out the copper step these days. >>

Leaving off the copper base was the original GM process - GM "factory chrome" was only nickel and chrome.

When chroming 'new metal', the copper step isn't as important, as the copper is the soft metal used to fill imperfections from pits, bad pot metal, etc, prior to the nickel and chrome steps.   Rechromers used to highlight their 'triple chrome' process (copper, nickel, and chrome) for rechroming 'used parts' for show cars.  Back in the '70's (and perhaps earlier in some states), the EPA got much tougher on such shops in terms of capturing their (heavy metals?)..  and many many shops had to either change their process or get out of the business and many closed.  The ones that continued the copper step had to change their previous, perhaps sloppy process, at a greater cost.

The question to ask your rechromer is how they fill pits, etc to get the metal smoooth prior to the nickel step.

[Mike S]

"The question to ask your rechromer is how they fill pits, etc to get the metal smoooth prior to the nickel step."

That is my primary concern being the parts we now have are 46+ years old.
I have a NOS bumper from Chevy and the sand scratches in the base metal and jagged edge on one edge curve are so sloppy that it makes the Chinese re-pros look like a masterpiece.

Mike

[ko-lek-tor]

I too remember having issues when I bought my rear bumper from GM. I rejected 2 and finally accepted the 3rd, grudgingly. I finally had to accept that a quality replacement was not going to be available through GM's new parts and my bumper is certainly not the quality that I was accustomed to from the General.
 My understanding about copper plating is that it is used for "show plating" where durability is sacrificed for appearance because of the softness of the copper and it's ability to be made smooth similar to prepping for paint, it costs more for extra time prepping (making smooth) a surface. Durability is the trade off because surface mars and dings easily. Sometimes, a part is so badly pitted, usually pot metals, that the copper has to be used as a "filler" to get the surface ready. This may be common knowledge to most car folks, so I apologize for redundancy and not adding anything more meaningful to the topic.

[68camaroz28]

Hi Chick,
    I have a few items I need to get re-chromed soon. I'll certainly look at this vendor.
Do they plate using the copper-nickel-chrome process? So many shops leave out the copper step these days.

Mike

Mike, give them a call as they offer two chrome services, which both are better than GM chrome. The one is show chrome which I believe to be with the cooper base. I've had valve covers, both small block and big block, many small pieces like sun visor parts, door handles (outside & inside), mirrors, etc. and everything has been top notch. Do searches and many have used them as they were big with the street rod gang. Send them parts, they send you pics of what was sent with a price, and if you agree the job is done to your total satisfaction. Bottom line, they have their act together.......

[scoop]

Chick    I cannot make it out from the pictures but is the inside ridges of the door hands still detailed fine grooves like originally? Also how are you going to rivet your knobs back on?  Thanks, Scoop

[68camaroz28]

Chick    I cannot make it out from the pictures but is the inside ridges of the door hands still detailed fine grooves like originally? Also how are you going to rivet your knobs back on?  Thanks, Scoop

Yes Scoop, the fine grooves are still on the door handles and yes, I'm going to rivet the original knobs back on as later service replacements are not correct. More on that later as there was an article in the NCRS newletter on how to do this and it's actually quite easy and looks exact. I will post info on that subject for sure as its very worthwhile.

[ko-lek-tor]

Chick    I cannot make it out from the pictures but is the inside ridges of the door hands still detailed fine grooves like originally? Also how are you going to rivet your knobs back on?  Thanks, Scoop

Yes Scoop, the fine grooves are still on the door handles and yes, I'm going to rivet the original knobs back on as later service replacements are not correct. More on that later as there was an article in the NCRS newletter on how to do this and it's actually quite easy and looks exact. I will post info on that subject for sure as its very worthwhile.

i look forward to seeing this explained Chick. I thought my old cranks were hopeless, but perhaps not. What do you do about yellowing of plastic? Is there a fix for that?

[MyRed67]

Too bad I'm finished with my car now.  But I did find a good "Plater" in my area, that came highly recommended.  I asked several "car guys" I know that show cars and "build" cars.  I had to have my Vent Window Pillars replated as they don't repop them, and I have an "original" pair of SS/Z28 Chrome "script" Valve covers I had replated.  I am VERY pleased with both. The Pillars actually had some pitting, which they drilled out(each pit), then soldered in, then sanded smooth and buffed, before plating. And you can not tell it at all, they are VERY smooth. Like a mirror.  I went to AIH Chrome Plating in Dubuque, IA.,  it's only about an hour drive for me.  I will tell you, it doesn't come cheap for good work.

[68camaroz28]

Chick    I cannot make it out from the pictures but is the inside ridges of the door hands still detailed fine grooves like originally? Also how are you going to rivet your knobs back on?  Thanks, Scoop

Yes Scoop, the fine grooves are still on the door handles and yes, I'm going to rivet the original knobs back on as later service replacements are not correct. More on that later as there was an article in the NCRS newletter on how to do this and it's actually quite easy and looks exact. I will post info on that subject for sure as its very worthwhile.

i look forward to seeing this explained Chick. I thought my old cranks were hopeless, but perhaps not. What do you do about yellowing of plastic? Is there a fix for that?

Well first off my cranks are black with a distinct scallop so the yellowing is a non issue for our car anyway.


Back last year NCRS had an article about how to replace the knob on Corvettes, tried it first on an old window crank and then moved forward. Here are some pics of that topic by NCRS member Bill Lacy. All credit and pics go to Bill Lacy and NCRS. I think or hope this give the general thoughts on how to complete as it really pretty easy.




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[scoop]

Great information Chick! Thanks much, Scoop

[BillOhio]

I called custom chrome and sent pictures of my bumpers. My bumpers are straight with slight surface rust appearing on the lower corners of one, the other has no rust. I would think it would be hard to find much better ones to do. They quoted me roughly 8-900. Then sent a second email saying each!  Heartbeat city is selling rechromed show chrome gm bumpers for 595 I believe.  This seems high to me

[BULLITT65]

Way high! I have seen NOS cheaper than that like $500 a piece. Mind you the NOS ones were never triple plated deep chrome like the ones of today. You can tell when you have them next to each other, but I would prefer just the stock chrome for me. Use the extra money towards other items. IMO