Author Topic: Re-Chroming Costs (Read 11695 times)

Nate · « **on:** September 02, 2007, 10:50:21 »

Hi All,

I'm trying to determine how far I'm going to go in re-chroming the exterior chrome, money being the determining factor. I'm trying to get a rough estimate of what I should expect to pay to have the following parts re-chromed by a very good shop:

1. 6 pieces around the windshield
2. Front bumper and bumper guards
3. Rear bumpers and bumper guards
4. Door handles
5. Boot lid
6. Driver and passenger side mirrors
7. Trunk lid handle

Has anyone recently had these parts re-chromed? Thanks! Nate

nick350 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2007, 12:55:25 »

You'll find that some of these items are made of a cheap material called MAZAK and can't be rechromed. Far better and not much in it cash wise to buy new, especially door handles and you can keep the original locks too. Good luck.

66andBlue · « **Reply #2 on:** September 02, 2007, 15:27:02 »

Nate,
it is almost impossible to give you an answer because it all depends on how "perfect" you want the chrome to be. For example, there is a shop here that specializes in bumper rechroming and is used by many of the top notch restorers around the country. He would charge about $300 for a set of rear bumpers (without guards, no repairs included - and more for the front set) if you want them to look "nice", as the owner says. If you want to win a prize at Pebble Beach or Amelia, and cannot live for example with any surface wave whatsoever, want even "depth", etc. - like new or even better - then he said, it will cost you $900![:0]
You just have to take your pieces to a shop and get an estimate.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

doitwright · « **Reply #3 on:** September 02, 2007, 17:09:07 »

Yes the cost of rechroming is much like that of painting a car. The painting or chroming is the easy part. A part being chromed only spends a short time in the nickel tank. I think less than a minute or 2. The cost is in the preparation and other than removing the piece there is not much you can do by yourself to prepare the piece to be rechromed. If you are familiar with the video "Total Restore" http://www.totalrestore.com/ which is intended to show all the steps in restoring a car and just happens to use a 230SL as its subject has a good section on chroming to give an idea of what is involved. It almost convinced me to not get involved in taking my car apart.

Frank Koronkiewicz
Willowbrook, Illinois

1970 280SL Light Ivory

Mark280SL · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2008, 12:07:47 »

Hi Nate,

You may have already made your decision but if not and for those who may be researching prices here are some prices I just got on 3/10/08 from a well know rechroming vendor recommended on this site by some other members, he is located in Al and I'm told he does good work. I sent him photos and details of exactly what I wanted.

Front grill with surround 850-$900.00
the drip edge that goes around the hard top roof (4 pieces) 175.00 each piece.

Windshield trim 2 pieces 350-$425.00 total

rear bumpers 325-$350.00 each
rear bumper guards 175.00-$200.00 each

I was surprised it was this high but I guess prices are going up for this type of work just like other prices have been going up lately.

quote:
Originally posted by nate

Hi All,

I'm trying to determine how far I'm going to go in re-chroming the exterior chrome, money being the determining factor. I'm trying to get a rough estimate of what I should expect to pay to have the following parts re-chromed by a very good shop:

1. 6 pieces around the windshield
2. Front bumper and bumper guards
3. Rear bumpers and bumper guards
4. Door handles
5. Boot lid
6. Driver and passenger side mirrors
7. Trunk lid handle

Has anyone recently had these parts re-chromed? Thanks! Nate

Benz Dr. · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2008, 18:52:32 »

Some of these things you shouldn't even consider rechoming. Anything pot metal will not come back the way you want or will be polished too much. Things like trunk stars are good example of this. Any sharp edge will get buffed until it's rounded.
The door handles are OK to do but if you're talking about the two pieces that fit into the whindshield rubber forget those. They're a bright dip and you can't chrome them.
Repro rear bumpers are about 250.00 each so why try and fix something that's rusty or messed up. The cost to do the grill sounds about right because there's a lot of work involved.

Dan Caron's
SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
slbarn.mbz.org
1 877 661 6061

Paddy_Crow · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2008, 19:08:33 »

I'm still planning on coming by your place one of these weekends, Dan. I'm thinking after Easter now. The weather keeps getting in the way. I'd like to check out a set of the repro rear bumpers.

The items I'm thinking of re-chroming on are little things that seem to be harder to find. Like the visor hinges and the metal version of the rear view mirror.

Mark280SL · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2008, 19:39:13 »

Thanks for the good tips Dan I kind of came to the same conclusion about the bumpers, don't know what Nate did but I think the repro's bumpers make sense considering the price. I will probably just do the grill. The drip edge on my roof looks like hell though and I'd like to do something with it, is the drip edge pot metal? there is no repro for the drip edge and the price to replace it from the dealer is astronomical, over $2000.00 for only 2 or the 4 pieces which is just crazy, no way that makes sense.

Thanks Mark
1970 Ivory 280 SL

quote:
Originally posted by Benz Dr.

Some of these things you shouldn't even consider rechoming. Anything pot metal will not come back the way you want or will be polished too much. Things like trunk stars are good example of this. Any sharp edge will get buffed until it's rounded.
The door handles are OK to do but if you're talking about the two pieces that fit into the whindshield rubber forget those. They're a bright dip and you can't chrome them.
Repro rear bumpers are about 250.00 each so why try and fix something that's rusty or messed up. The cost to do the grill sounds about right because there's a lot of work involved.

Dan Caron's
SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
slbarn.mbz.org
1 877 661 6061

hauser · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2008, 20:31:37 »

I've been told by people in the business that a complete chrome job can run $30K! Ouch!!!

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

thelews · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2008, 22:01:11 »

quote:
Originally posted by hauser

I've been told by people in the business that a complete chrome job can run $30K! Ouch!!!

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

I spent more on my 190 SL. :x But, it is gorgeous.

John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

hauser · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2008, 01:20:00 »

John, where did you have your gorgeous 190sl restored?

BTW Did Sports Leicht change hands?

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

thelews · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2008, 07:07:49 »

quote:
Originally posted by hauser

John, where did you have your gorgeous 190sl restored?

BTW Did Sports Leicht change hands?

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

The car was restored at 190 SL Services in Aberdeen, NC. The chrome was outsourced to www.customchromeplating.com, show level. Currently the car is at www.blackforestllc.com having the engine and rear end rebuilt as well as the interior upholstery improved. SportsLeicht, owned by Bruce Adams, was sold to Bjorn Nordemo a number of years ago and Bruce opened 190 SL Services. He has since sold 190 SL Services to Dave Polny and is now operating as BLAdams LLC.

John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

JPMOSE · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2008, 10:34:34 »

John,

With that much invested in your 190SL, do you drive it (or is it mainly just for show)? I sunk a lot of money in a 1956 Lincoln and found myself constrained do to the rarity of parts and fear of nicks, pits, etc.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

thelews · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2008, 10:54:44 »

quote:
Originally posted by JPMOSE

John,

With that much invested in your 190SL, do you drive it (or is it mainly just for show)? I sunk a lot of money in a 1956 Lincoln and found myself constrained do to the rarity of parts and fear of nicks, pits, etc.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

I like my cars to both look and drive well. While the beauty of design can be enjoyed, the full experience comes with driving. I know what you mean of the fear factor and I tend to do round trip drives with the car other than club events. But, drive it I will and there's no shortage of parts. My other two cars that are not to the level of this car, 250 SL is one of them, but still very nice are more fun because of less worry. Financially they also make much more sense.

John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

JPMOSE · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2008, 11:05:30 »

John,

Your 190SL is sure a beauty! Hopefully, I will get to see it some day! I wanted to attend the Athens show in '06 but had to go to Canada on business. If you have a file of 190SL photos...I'd love to see them: jefferymose@yahoo.com Thanks!

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

thelews · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2008, 12:12:38 »

quote:
Originally posted by JPMOSE

John,

Your 190SL is sure a beauty! Hopefully, I will get to see it some day! I wanted to attend the Athens show in '06 but had to go to Canada on business. If you have a file of 190SL photos...I'd love to see them: jefferymose@yahoo.com Thanks!

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

Jim Villers and I are trying to put together a tech session here in Milwaukee in July. You could see it in person then.

Here are more pictures of the car and thanks for the compliments.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8292359@N06/sets/72157603042682741/

If you click on "the lews" in the upper left, you will go to my other sets and can see the other cars. Also, look at the WinterTech 08. It's what we'd like to do for the Pagoda group this summer.

John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

JPMOSE · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2008, 12:47:51 »

John,

The cars are all exceptional! Did you take the photos? I am quite impressed with your photography skills if so. I obtained both of my SLs by selling off photography equipment on Ebay. I had an extensive collection of Leica, Linhof, Zeiss and Hasselblad cameras. Plus, many vintage Graflex cameras. As film usage kept diminishing (much to my sadness), I became worried the value of my vintage camera collection would start to drop. So I made the decision on Christmas day 2005 to starting listing cameras and I have never looked back.

Thanks again for sharing and it would be fun to head up to Wisconsin if my schedule permits. I haven't been there since 1979 and have always wanted to return for a visit.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

thelews · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2008, 13:34:34 »

quote:
Originally posted by JPMOSE

John,

The cars are all exceptional! Did you take the photos? I am quite impressed with your photography skills if so. I obtained both of my SLs by selling off photography equipment on Ebay. I had an extensive collection of Leica, Linhof, Zeiss and Hasselblad cameras. Plus, many vintage Graflex cameras. As film usage kept diminishing (much to my sadness), I became worried the value of my vintage camera collection would start to drop. So I made the decision on Christmas day 2005 to starting listing cameras and I have never looked back.

Thanks again for sharing and it would be fun to head up to Wisconsin if my schedule permits. I haven't been there since 1979 and have always wanted to return for a visit.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

Yes, I took the photos, a few of the 250 SL were taken by the previous owner. Appreciate the compliment from a photo guy, I'll try for some better ones when I can get the cars out of the garage!

Where do you live as regards coming to Wisc.? Would yo drive the Pagoda up?

John

John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

Paddy_Crow · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2008, 14:26:28 »

quote:
Originally posted by JPMOSE

John,

The cars are all exceptional! Did you take the photos? I am quite impressed with your photography skills if so. I obtained both of my SLs by selling off photography equipment on Ebay. I had an extensive collection of Leica, Linhof, Zeiss and Hasselblad cameras. Plus, many vintage Graflex cameras. As film usage kept diminishing (much to my sadness), I became worried the value of my vintage camera collection would start to drop. So I made the decision on Christmas day 2005 to starting listing cameras and I have never looked back.

Thanks again for sharing and it would be fun to head up to Wisconsin if my schedule permits. I haven't been there since 1979 and have always wanted to return for a visit.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

I hear ya, I've got a Leica M3 and an M2R with 8 lenses of late fifties and early sixties vintage. I keep wondering if I should hang on to them, or sell them while they still have value.

JPMOSE · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2008, 14:54:03 »

John,

I live in Atlanta, but I doubt I would drive (due to time constraints). I hope to drive to OH next time there's a summer meet.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

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Author Topic: Re-Chroming Costs (Read 11695 times)

nick350

Paddy_Crow

hauser

hauser

Paddy_Crow