Rechrome vs. Replace

[hitch02]

113'ers -

What is the conventional wisdom of the group regarding chrome (specifically bumpers) for a good daily driver?  The options I see are rechrome originals, replace with aftermarket chromed steel, replace with aftermarket stainless steel, or replace with factory.  Frankly, replace with factory is out of the question due to dollars, but wonder what experience people have had with the other options?

Thanks, and happy new year!!

-Reed
'69 280SL Silver/Blue
'77 6.9 Silver/Blue

[Douglas]

Reed,

It depends on the condition of the originals. If the originals are decent (not rusty, relatively undented/straight) and the plating is just thin, then it's always better to re-plate. Naturally, you need a good chrome shop to make the most of them (and I've seen lots of bad chrome work).

I understand the aftermarket bumpers are decent, but not as substantial, so I suspect they will not last as long.

Some people like to delete the bumper guards when they re-chrome, but from what I've seen, it can be difficult to conceal the holes left from the guards.

[hitch02]

Having just purchased brand new euro lights/trim rings, I think that deletion of the overrides is definitely in the cards..   Looks cleaner, in my estimation.

Thanks for your response!!

-Reed

1969 280 SL Silver/Blue Tex
1977 450SEL 6.9 - Silver/Blue Leather
ex- 1985 300Dt
ex- 1971 300SEL 6.3
ex- 1984 300DT
ex- 1994 E420
ex- 1990 300CE-24
ex- 1982 240D

[J. Huber]

I had mine rechromed back in 1998. I recall mine had small surface rust dots (pits?). I took them to a good quality refinisher in Santa Barbara and it cost a little over 400. But they looked like new again -- and still do!

James
63 230SL

[Mike]

I just had mine rechromed and I deleted the bumper over rides.   You cannot tell where the holes were.  My bumpers looked dull before I rechromed them but were otherwise decent.  They turned out perfectly in my opinion and I could not be happier with the quality of the work.  The downsides were the cost and the time that it took to get them back - $450 and two months, respectively.

Michael L. Hund

[jeffc280sl]

I redid the bumper chrome and removed the over riders.  I like the "new look" much much better.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[hitch02]

Thank you all for the information - rechrome will most likely be the way I go.  Do any of you have particular shops you recommend - especially East Coast places?

-Reed

1969 280 SL Silver/Blue Tex
1977 450SEL 6.9 - Silver/Blue Leather
ex- 1985 300Dt
ex- 1971 300SEL 6.3
ex- 1984 300DT
ex- 1994 E420
ex- 1990 300CE-24
ex- 1982 240D

[jeffc280sl]

I had mine done in Toronto.  I think any plating company can to the chrome work.  The more difficult job is filling the holes and smoothing out the surface.  Often the bumper guards are bolted on so tight they make indentations and bend the bumper surface.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed