Chrome it or replace it.

[hauser]

Anyone have a list of what is worth chroming and what is better to replace?

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[gwuisman]

Hauser,

I faced the question of rechroming, new or second hand too. Replacing by new is expensive and in most cases is the quality of the basic metal is less than the original. Besides that, new parts can give problems in the field of fitting. Second hand parts can have this problem too. If they are old they will be weared or weare soon. Chrome is in a continuous process of degradation. That has something to do with electro corroding between different metals: copper as under layer and chrome as upperlayer. They eat each other, the chrome is eaten more than the copper. As result the chrome layer becomes steadely thinner, also if it is not exposed to the outdoor elements. It is important to rechrome as soon as the copper layer shines through the chrome or little pits appear. Otherwise one gets holes which makes the rechrome job extra expensive. Last year I made one of the backlight frames rechromed. There were little pits coming up. The rechrome expert told me that when I had waited much longer it would not be possible to get it rechromed at all by them. The pits get holes soon and the composition of the metal of the frames makes it hardly impossible to get an even surface again.

I decided to rechrome all parts that need it. Every year some.

It is very important to chose a rechromer who has a high quality process. That has something to do with the system of underlayers, the temerature of the chrome bath and the saturation with chrome of that bath. A low quality process results in a, thin layer, a weak layer and or a blue shine on your parts. A low quality process does not mean that the company delivers bad work to clients. The process depends on quality their average customer want. Not every chrome part needs the best quality.

I saw a total restored MB 300 Adenauer which was spoiled by bad rechrome work. The blue shine of its rich chrome work made it look like a badly restored car. So I did research on several rechrome companies in Holland. At the end I choose the company that also does the chrome work for the European Space Agency. ESA wants the highest standard. Up until now they can rechrome all chromed parts I offered. They give the parts their original bright shine. I never meet people who notice that parts are rechromed. The appearance is like original. The price is half of new.

After rechroming you need to be very cautious. It takes several weeks (in our climat 6) before the chrome layer has its ultimate strength. I was advised f.e. not to drive the first two/three weeks with my newly chromed front bumpers. They would be damaged by rocks and dirt. I should softly wash the rechromed parts with soft soap and clear water the first two days. Had something to do with the ongoing chemical process. By washing, the chrome layer would become harder than without.

Gerard Wuisman,
1970 280sl

[mdsalemi]

There is probably not a definitive list if that is what you are looking for.  It depends on the price and availability of the new part.  Everything on my car without exception was rechromed or replaced so I've got a good knowledge base to work from.

Some things like the door handles are readily available and to rechrome them would be prohibitive because of the labor involved in removing and replacing all the locking assemblies.  The grill star and barrel is $360 new from Caliber; I would be hesitant to rechrome both of these pieces; it would be very easy for an original star to be broken in rechroming as it is pot metal, and you'd be over $200 easy to replate it.  Other pieces like interior trim are NOT readily available, and thus you have no choice but to rechrome in a restoration.  Having the exterior brass trim rechromed was not too bad as it is "easy" hand work--straight, flat pieces.

I had all the bumpers on my car repaired and rechromed for $1,100 in Canada at International Bumper in Windsor.  The repair takes an experienced person to do.  It would probably cost twice that to replace them all with new, and a rechrome job done by a custom plater is usually better then a production run job, because there is more hand work and care put into the final product.  Just like painting a house--the builder's paint job is usually less quality then that you will get from paying a professional.

Be wary of "cheap" chrome jobs.  It is an expensive process with a lot of hand work.  You can easily spend $7,000 to $10,000 on chrome for a 113.

For those that are interested, here are two of the platers I used and I was satisfied with both of their work.

http://www.gravesplating.com/
http://www.blplating.com

My bumpers were repaired by:

International Bumper Repair & Metal Work
519-253-4885  
1441 McDougall Street
Windsor, ON  N8X 3M8

He sends out the plating to someone in Toronto.



Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[Malc]

Hauser,
Who is the rechromer you use??? Do you have an address/phone number??
Thanks
Malc

[hauser]

Malc, This was just a general question.  I have not gotten that far as to pick a company to do the work.  I want to do some updating on my car, afterall it is a 24 year old total restoration.  I would like to rejuvenate the chrome and possibly deatil the engine bay.

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[n/a]

Gerard,
I have to rechrome all the items on the hardtop of 230 SL.
May I have the name of the company you used for chroming and a contact person ?
DR.GABRIEL MAZILU
230 SL
280 SL

[Richard Madison]

Here's a link to a msg of mine about chrome...in case it may be helpful...

http://sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=68
Richard M

[hauser]

Thanks for the heads up,Richard!

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[Cees Klumper]

Gabriel - here's the company name and telephone number that I got from Gerard Wuisman:

Fa. Stokkermans Oppervlaktetechniek,
Rooseveltstraat 8,
2321 BM Leiden
tel.: +31 71 57 69 225

Good luck!

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[gwuisman]

Gabriel,

My secretary Cees already answered you regarding the adress. I have no special contact person. The opening times are 8.15 pm - 16.00 am. They give a price when offering the items. The waiting period can be 2 month as they collect the parts of non commercial customers. Personally I had to wait only three weeks three times.

Gerard Wuisman

[gwuisman]

By accident I read in my local newspaper that the rechromer I recommended, Stokkermans Leiden, has been declared bankrupt in august. The article was about the guard of the terrain of Stokkermans. He had no electricity and gas for months already as his home was supplied by Stokkermans. The energy company does not want to give him his own connection because they fear that the former guard could change supplier as the energy market is free in Holland from last July. Connection on his own costs would mean an investment of nearly 10.000 Euros. For the 69 years old guard an immense sum of money.

Gerard Wuisman
1970 280sl