Hi All, My Westy is going through the process of having a respray, so I'm taking this opportunity to re-chrome the bumpers etc. Can any one recommend any companies? (ideally in south Wales but not essential). Cheers, Baylated James
No idea in South Wales, but just be really careful about what these places offer. Proper chroming is a multi stage process and you need (ideally) copper and nickel layers under the chrome. Chrome is in itself not a sealing layer - it will let the water through and rust stains will appear through the chrome, so the base layers are critical for anything that will see the weather. Lots of chrome places just do 'show chrome' suitable for a garaged vehicle that is only used in the summer. It won't last.
Had any quotes? I asked about having bumpers in chrome and they said around £150 each so around £300 The powder coater wants £20-30 for the pair So im having white ones
Thanks everyone for your help and advice. With this information at least i'll be comfortable speaking to a supplier. I imagine its going to be pricey but just need a starting point. As Buddy Hawks has shown, its seem far more cost effective to powder coat, however because mine are already chrome (corroded), would this help reduce the costs? I haven't had any costs as yet, but i have found a company called Brynol Chrome in Bridgend which do classic cars. Once i've spoken to them i'll post my findings.
Not saying you should do one or the other im just very tight I do think chrome looks awesome @sharpey bought a cheapish replacment chrome one new from one of the suppliers when he bent his, i wonder how that is holding up I would imagine if corrosion is present they would be stripping then right back bare whichever you choose
I've got JK's cheap chrome ones - okay for the first year but after that...................wish I could afford stainless ones (£700+)!!
Any body heard of E-less nickel plating? I'm very interested in it for weather resistance for reflectivity. It's used in shipping and port metal work as it maintains a reflectivity of over 80% in harsh maritime environments. I believe it's used for car parts too, resists water ingress very well. It's on the Olympic park near here, I cycle past it on bridge balustrades. Looking really good after 4 years. This could be something worth a look, instead of porous chrome?
What you do is strip the old Chrome off then the Nickel gets stripped they then have to polish it to get the corrosion out then replate it,it's a long process and the labour is where the price comes in .The actual plating process isn't that long
That's a good price!! My nearest coated want that alone for the blasting as he had to outsource it?!?!
Yes it's called electro less nickel and it shouldn't be pourus if it's done right, They use it on aircraft parts (nickel) underneath the chrome but nickel on its own might not give you a mirror finish
Has anyone used the diy nickel plating kit they do in Frost, there are a few types of nickel for it including a super bright version. It wont be good or big enough for bumpers but looks good for doing other little bits and bobs in. Powder coaters here takes em dip and strip 20 quid
Been on just kampers looking for those cheap brazil chrome bumpers and now they do "top quality" best chrome ones After club discocunt they are £315 each or £505 for a pair
Depends How were they plated how long ago what thickness of plating,is there any movement on the calliper brackets.
They are pretty rubbish, the front started to pit almost immediately but the rear is holding up well. I wouldn't recommend
