Just got back from the chrome shop with my parts. The bumpers were already wrapped up and I was in a hurry so I did not unwrap them there to look at them. I got home and at first thought they were great but then I noticed the edges are outstanding but between the edges the chrome is very cloudy. I did not know it but he farmed out the bumpers, he originally told me that mine were small enough that he would do them. Well, Now I have to take them back for them to be done again because this is not acceptable. They are very smooth and I would be very please if not for that. I assume this can not be polished out? Sure wish he would have done them. Now it is two more trips to his shop at 1.5 hours away.

 

Wow, that’s weird.
I’ve never rechromed anything but that looks **** poor. Did you try to see if it wipes off or buffs out?

Thats gotta feel shitty. Sorry man
-pete

 

In my limited experience with rechroming some items, I had a similar experience. In that case they were able to be buffed out. If the part looks otherwise excellent, hopefully that will be the case for yourself.

Many things can go astray in electroplating--such as bath composition and poor chrome deposition in some areas due to non-uniform current density. If it doesn't buff, maybe they'll electrostrip the chrome, reactivate the nickle, and try again.

 

This is what I get for going cheaper.... My first quote from a place was $6000 for these bumpers and 6 other pieces. This place done them for $2500 and on top of that I had 5 more things done. 2 of the other parts were trashed but I was warned that would happen before I took them. I guess every chrome shop goofs those two parts up. Everything else I am pleased with. I sure hope it can be buffed out because the good areas look amazing. Chrome polish does not do anything to it

 

Take them back and have your plater deal with it. If he's taking the money, it's his job to make it right. And it's his fault for farming it out. Never time to do it right the first time, but there's always time to do it again. That's a lot of money for shoddy work, regardless. It shouldn't cost you a $1000 or whatever premium for no clouds. Clouds only belong in the sky or the internet. The only clouds you should see in those bumpers are those reflecting from the sky while you're at the car show picking up your award for the best chrome!

 

Agreed dont touch them as you know they will want to stick liability on you. Let the plater figure it out.

Has chrome really gone through the roof in 20 years? My 68 rear was 300-400ish if I remember. I know it wasn't over 500 and they picked it up and delivered the finished product via the local body shop. (Plater was 2 hours away).

When I had my rear bumper re-chromed for the third time the plater wouldn't do it because he said the bumper would be too thin due to the striping process. They had a cutlass core there and they grafted my 442 cutouts into it. It came out nice. Telling you this so you can ask that question. Keep in mind the 68 bumpers are thin to start with.

(Northstar chrome out of Minneapolis at the time then Keystone bought them out. I here they are still turning out good chrome as of a few years ago).

 

Keystone did my bumpers two years ago and they did a perfect job. My rear bumper had been through the shopping mall wars but it came out looking better than its birthday suit.

My painter handled the transaction, which was about $800 for both--he billed me at cost and gave me a copy of the Keystone invoice.

It's my impression that there is a two-tier pricing structure, one for body shops and another for the public... apparently a massive markup between the two.

 

Just talked to him and sent him some pictures. He said that it is for sure not buffed like it was supposed to be and that he will take car of it. He was not even hesitant that it was wrong and he would take car of it. Said he could likely do it while I wait if I have an hour or two when I come. He is telling me that when he farms it out that he gets them back not buffed and that his guys do that themselves. He said it was his fault and not the place that it was farmed out to. I figure if he is taking the blame and not passing the buck then I am not likely to have a problem with it.

 

Now that guy deserves a cup of coffee at least. That's how you take care of an issue. He took responsibility and will do the right thing by the customer. Should tell him since you have to bring it back he should buy YOU a coffee for all that driving. It's unfortunate, but at least he's an honest guy. Thumbs up to your plater! But now I'm guessing you'll check it over in the shop before tucking it under your arm and running home! It'll save you a tank of gas.

 

Well, Went back today and he started buffing them. His story has changed about what happened and who done the chrome. He looked up my parts and now says that they done the entire job and they were not farmed out at all. Not sure if he was confused about what parts I had or what, don't really matter because he is making it right. He started buffing the front bumper and ask if I wanted to come back and watch. Not sure if I was supposed to take a picture but he didn't say I couldn't. He got the front bumper done and wrapped it up before I could look at it. I told him I wanted to see it. It was not near as bad but was still not going to work. He was trying to get me to go away I assume. I showed him again and that I didn't like it. He did not get mad in any way and just said the chrome is to thin to buff any more so just leave them and he will strip them and start over. We will see where it goes but at least neither of us was mad about it and I have time before I need them.

 

Sounds like he is being professional about the issue in his attempt to have a satisfied customer... After all, business reputation could be at stake...

 

What is funny about him, He has a really bad reputation but not for the quality of work. I have heard MANY times that he does good work with a cringe. I have never advertised for him or mentioned the business good or bad outside of saying his prices are very reasonable compared to others. He even ask me to not mention his business name on the net back when I was building the W-30. He wants to stay under the radar. I swore I would never use him again after the W-30 but simply couldn't afford anywhere else for the Jetfire. I have grown to know better how he works and can at least do what I have to to keep him happy with me. Just feed his ego and he is not as bad as the reputation. Most people seam to not be willing to feed a persons ego. As strange as it may seam, I am starting to like him even though he tried to send me on with bad bumpers.

 

My assumption would be that he knew it was still not the standard you wanted and was hoping you wouldn't look until you were home and not wanting to make that drive again. Maybe I'm wrong...but when something I've done isn't to the required standard, I'll make sure I offer it up for inspection before I call it done. He knew it wasn't going to cut it so didn't flinch when he got called on having to redo it. I'm glad to hear that he is stepping up to the plate in that regard.

I'm no expert on chrome, but my first thought when I saw it was that it was too thin. Possibly from over buffing in the first place, trying to clear up some imperfections.

Anyhow, that's my take on the situation as you've presented it.

 

That is how I see it as well. He is willing to try to get away with something but also willing to fix it if called out. I suspect they will be good next time.

 

That's a bummer that you have experienced a fiasco getting your parts chromed. I had the bumpers on my 71 98 chromed in Brainerd, MN and they did a lousy job. At least he is going to make it right. Keep us posted.