Re-chrome bumpers

[Sat -Vic]

My bumpers have rust that has eaten into the chrome but not the metal,also a couple of little dents here and there.  Qu-  What's the best way to approach this. ie; are they good enough for re-chroming ? Does any one know of any good resonable Re-chromers in the Melbourne/Gippsland area ? Roughly how much would I expect to pay ? Any info at all would be appreciated ? Thanks in advance Chris

[Brad (WA)]

Sorry, can't help with details of re-chromers in Melb area.   But I recently had all my chrome redone at a shop in Perth, cost me approx $1500.   The bumpers were quoted as $60 per piece (2 x bumpers x 3 pieces) which makes $360 for both bumpers and $35 for each over-rider.   As long as the base metal is sound, they completely wire brushed the whole thing and stripped all the old chrome in an acid bath, so blemishes in the chrome are no problem.   The surface beneath has to be sound though.   Also of importance is that the bumper pieces are "straight" as bending them to get them to fit while re-assembling can cause the chrome to "split" open (is what they warned me). Hope this is of help.....good luck!!
Brad

[Roxy]

I live in Perth and was wondering what shop you got your re- chroming done at?

Cheers
Roxy

[mcl1959]

Vinnies in Dandenong is the place you should go to

Regards  Ken

[fcfromscratch]

Hi Roxy,

I used K&D in Davison St Maddington, but that was several years ago now...

My honest opinion now is that you are far better off to spend your time (instead of your money) to seek out good original chrome pieces unless you have access to a re-chromer that is highly regarded....if the original stuff has lasted 50 years, its likely to continue to last with some extra care.

It's not impossible to get good re-chroming done (and I can get an update from other WA members that have had it done more recently), but it can be dissappointing when part of the bumper goes rusty after 6 - 12 months while the rest of it is really nice and shiny.  I had 1 piece out of the 6 get surface rust and replaced it with an original piece.  That was after 3 trips back to the shop with assorted other bits I had done that were, on closer inspection, not up to standard.

cheers...Brad

[Sarge]

Brad must agree with you here, I am currently restoring a EH for somebody. They had their wheels split and re-chromed about 6 months ago, took them out of the packaging last week to fit to car and they have small amounts of suface rust starting already, so back they go.

Sarge