Rechroming

[Daz1968]

Does anyone in the midlands know a good plater for parts, I have some original 5 bolt bumpers and my original bonnet badge surround I would like to get some quotes on,

Thanks

[snoopy64]

Castle plating Dudley or Reeves in Smethwick...bumpers about £180 from memory and 8-12 weeks wait..

[STG95F]

As Kevin said , Reeve They did all my Chroming on my MK2

http://www.reevemetalfinishing.co.uk/index.html

[Daz1968]

Thanks, even though £180 sounds steep for a bumper compared to buying a new stainless one, think in the long run it may add a bit to the finished car, will take some pictures and send off to them

[STG95F]

Yes not cheap but at least you know the original bumpers will fit and look correct in chrome and not stainless

That's why i had all my parts re chromed , Just finished the car off nice

[Daz1968]

I haven't contacted reeves yet but did contact another plater and they are quoting £480 plus vat for two bumpers, so will try reeves but as they are close will probably pop down with the bumpers, prepared to pay £180 each but nearly £300 each sounds a little high, they even stated will be more if other work needed, I presume they don't want the work at all.

[Spider]

Do they Copper Plate before Chroming?

[Daz1968]

The quote is for copper, nickel and chrome. Will have to find out about other company when I get chance to pop in,

[STG95F]

Wow £480 plus Vat . Was that ACF Howell in Walsall Daz ?

[Daz1968]

No I just filled an enquiry form in at ashford plating, they are based in kent but had already sent message to them prior to putting up the post, I think best way is to go around to the platers mentioned with goods in hand, my bonnet badge surround is a little worn as well and would like that done rather than fitting a repro one, unless a nos one turns up somewhere. My mk1 morris deluxe also needs the grill doing but have already tried with that and no one wants to do it due to the shape of it so looking for a good used or nos one of those as well.
Thought the spending would relax a little now have nearly finished with the body panels. How wrong can I be.

[STG95F]

I think thats the best way to go , by paying the platers a visit . I have tried to get some badge surrounds done in the past and none have worked out as they are Mazac and are full of air ( like a block of cheese) so the platers are unable to flat and polish before chroming .

I know how you feel never ending these restorations

[snoopy64]

Hi, when i was looking nearly everyone was busy! I'm lucky that i travel alot and could take them round with me...one player quoted £300 each plus vat for triple plated! I'm not sure you'll get much of a deal anywhere but good luck with your search...keep us up to date..

[medwaybeat]

Try asking if it's cheaper if you bring the parts prepared and polished.

http://www.gspolishing.co.uk/
Nowt to do with me.

Chromers don't seem to like doing any prep work, just dipping stuff into tanks of chemicals

[Smiffy]

I think thats the best way to go , by paying the platers a visit . I have tried to get some badge surrounds done in the past and none have worked out as they are Mazac and are full of air ( like a block of cheese) so the platers are unable to flat and polish before chroming .

I know how you feel never ending these restorations

Copper plate 'em first that will fill in all the holes and then get it chromed over that……..

[Matt84]

No I just filled an enquiry form in at ashford plating, they are based in kent but had already sent message to them prior to putting up the post, I think best way is to go around to the platers mentioned with goods in hand, my bonnet badge surround is a little worn as well and would like that done rather than fitting a repro one, unless a nos one turns up somewhere. My mk1 morris deluxe also needs the grill doing but have already tried with that and no one wants to do it due to the shape of it so looking for a good used or nos one of those as well.
Thought the spending would relax a little now have nearly finished with the body panels. How wrong can I be.

Stay away from Ashford Chromers they are the worst company I have ever dealt with. Gave them my mk1 morris grille and handles to rechrome they said it would be around £170 and take a couple of weeks. Asked them to sought the grille out as it was bent and needed some holes filling, they said this was fine. After received back after 3 months of phone calls with them not answering the phone, the wrong grille mounting holes were filled and the grille was still badly twisted and bent. Finally got hold of them and was told to send it back. Another 3 months of not answering the phone and a total of £960 it ended with the grille being returned "chromed" but still badly twisted and bent (they made no effort to straighten it even though they said they would) and the handles had lots of holes in the chrome. All in all the worst company I have ever had the misfortune of using.

[STG95F]

£960 WTF

Why so much more

[Matt84]

In hindsight I think its probably because they didn't really want to do it and with it being awkward at the back with it being pressed. Unfortunately I assumed that with it being expensive it must be a real good job but obviously wasn't and by the time I realised the price it was already past the point of no return. The other thing I find frustrating is I tried to research on the internet if they were any good and typically it wasn't till I had problems myself that I finally discovered the scores of bad reviews and complaints. Still I suppose you live and learn and am far more cautious now. Just don't want anyone else to get caught up in the problems I had.

[STG95F]

That's a very bad and expensive learning curve .


Thanks for the heads up

Ian

[Daz1968]

I have asked a couple of chroming companies about a mk1 morris pressed grill and I can't find anyone prepared to do it, but I really think it isn't economically worthwhile, I keep my eyes peeled for a good one, but another option I have had done is chrome powder coat, on the grill it looks very good and will do unless I find a better one, pic below

[mk1]

Although it would never be my shiny silver coating of choice, I saw a set of wheels that had been done in Chrome Finish powder coat only last week & I have to say the chrome like quality was very surprising indeed. Certainly a good option if you aren't a stickler for originality.