Chrome pricing

[Patrick]

Hi Everyone,

From what I have read, the Mercedes Star on the trunk of our '68 250SL is not readily available if it needed to be replaced. With that in mind, I just received a quote of $175.00 CDN. from a local custom chrome company, with a 5-6 week turn around time. I am glad I was sitting at the time. Anybody had chrome work done and is this reasonable?

Patrick
'68 250SL

[jeffc280sl]

Hi Patrick,

I had most of my chrome re-plated in Scarborough, ON.  Cost was about $2K USD 6 years ago.  Included in the cost was filling holes in the bumpers to eliminate the bumper guards.  Sorry I do not have unit prices.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Rolf]

Hi Patrick,

  I just had 4 dog dish hub caps rechromed at the cost of $300 for the set. I was told, because of the EPA, chroming has gotten really expensive. I don't know if the price I paid was because, I live in the NYC area or not. Maybe someone else knows of lower prices.

Rolf
1966 230SL Auto
1992 300D

[merrill]

for what it is worth

buds bens has them for sale 39.50

http://www.budsbenz.com/catalog/200/chrome



Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

[Cees Klumper]

Many moons ago (we are talking about 25 years ago) I once had extensive chroming work done for my motorcycle, ranging from the pedals and air filter housing to all of the individual spokes and the headlight assembly. As I recall it cost me a total of $50 back then. That was before environmental regulations, but somehow I fail to see how those make the work that much more expensive. What I understand is that it is just a lot of manual labor, which would mean that chroming work done in far-away countries could be a lot cheaper?

Cees ("Case") Klumper in far-away Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Naj ✝︎]

Patrick,
The star is readily available thru dealers.(£22.00 in UK, Euro 30.00 in Germany)
I Believe its the '250 SL' badge that is NLA.

naj

68 280SL

[Jonny B]

I believe Naj is correct. The star is a common part across the 113 cars.

It is the 250SL badge that is really tough to find. That said, one just sold on ebay for US$ 10! But it was not perfect and probably needed to be chromed.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[Patrick]

Thanks guys for the feedback!
Matt, greatly appreciated the link. I'll be placing an order for a new one.
Jeff, we live approxiamately 1 1/2 hours from Scarborough. You wouldn't happen to remember the name of the company you used?

Patrick
'68 250SL

[al_lieffring]

quote:Originally posted by cees klumper

Many moons ago.... As I recall it cost me a total of $50 back then. That was before environmental regulations, but somehow I fail to see how those make the work that much more expensive.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in far-away Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

Not that long ago there were chrome shops everywhere mostly for the repair of bumpers for body shops. The cost of compliance with EPA regulations (fines for non-compliance) has driven most of these shops out of business, now with less competition the market price is higher.

When I was a teenager I went to pick up a batch of hood ornaments from the chrome shop. Everyone that worked there had a palid blue green complection, from that time on I had little interest in doing that kind of work.

Al

66 230sl
113-042-10-014715
904/396 blue, Ivory Tex
condition: not-as-rusty-as-before-bucket

[jeffc280sl]

Patrick,

I can'y recall the name at the moment.  It was a plating company off Bellamy Road.  I'll try and remember an let you know.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Benz Dr.]

As long as you can get new parts that are made from pot metal buy them. Trunk stars are a good example of a part you don't want to get re chromed. The polishing process will round off all the sharp edges and ruin the part. I can always tell if a star has been plated.
Aside from that, the price to replate is usually more than what the part costs new.
Some parts you have no choice, but for those that are not too much and are available, buy new ones.

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

[ami]

Love, I have just had a grille surround only done in the UK. It was £900 plus VAT @ £17%. Does this make any sense? How can it be that expensive? I have spoken to another and this is the right price. '[:0]' I am in the wrong game!' '

1970 AC 428 coupe
1970 Fiat 850 Bertone
1970 Fiat 130 Coupe
1964 Porsche 356c
1966 Ford Mustang
1974 Lotus Europa
1988 Maserati Biturbo
1973 Maserati Bora
1983 TVR Tasmin
1979 BMW M-1
1973 Mercedes 3.5 280 se c
1955 Jaguar XK140 FHC
1968 Jaguar E type XKE
1970 Mercedes 280 SL
1954 Mercedes 300 SL
1989 ferrari 400i
1974 Ferrari 246 GTS

All perfect and used as often as possible. Currently having 1958 Aston DBS (301) and another 300 SL restored.

[Douglas]

quote:1970 AC 428 coupe
1970 Fiat 850 Bertone
1970 Fiat 130 Coupe
1964 Porsche 356c
1966 Ford Mustang
1974 Lotus Europa
1988 Maserati Biturbo
1973 Maserati Bora
1983 TVR Tasmin
1979 BMW M-1
1973 Mercedes 3.5 280 se c
1955 Jaguar XK140 FHC
1968 Jaguar E type XKE
1970 Mercedes 280 SL
1954 Mercedes 300 SL
1989 ferrari 400i
1974 Ferrari 246 GTS

All perfect and used as often as possible. Currently having 1958 Aston DBS (301) and another 300 SL restored.

Very impressive, but a 1973 280 SE 3.5?

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[ami]

Yes Love. First registered February 73. Manufactured Novemeber 70. Ex show car. Dark brown / cream leather. Coupe.

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

quote:1970 AC 428 coupe
1970 Fiat 850 Bertone
1970 Fiat 130 Coupe
1964 Porsche 356c
1966 Ford Mustang
1974 Lotus Europa
1988 Maserati Biturbo
1973 Maserati Bora
1983 TVR Tasmin
1979 BMW M-1
1973 Mercedes 3.5 280 se c
1955 Jaguar XK140 FHC
1968 Jaguar E type XKE
1970 Mercedes 280 SL
1954 Mercedes 300 SL
1989 ferrari 400i
1974 Ferrari 246 GTS

All perfect and used as often as possible. Currently having 1958 Aston DBS (301) and another 300 SL restored.

Very impressive, but a 1973 280 SE 3.5?

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

1970 AC 428 coupe
1970 Fiat 850 Bertone
1970 Fiat 130 Coupe
1964 Porsche 356c
1966 Ford Mustang
1974 Lotus Europa
1988 Maserati Biturbo
1973 Maserati Bora
1983 TVR Tasmin
1979 BMW M-1
1973 Mercedes 3.5 280 se c
1955 Jaguar XK140 FHC
1968 Jaguar E type XKE
1970 Mercedes 280 SL
1954 Mercedes 300 SL
1989 ferrari 400i
1974 Ferrari 246 GTS

All perfect and used as often as possible. Currently having 1958 Aston DBS (301) and another 300 SL restored.

[Bob G ✝︎]

SLS in Germany I though they had it in stock. some one should check.
YEs Yes Yes I" was right SLS of germany has the 250SL trunk designation part# 281020 41.07 euro dollars. go to links on our page and click on SLS click on english and do a query on bonnets you should fine there the trunk designation logos.

Bob Geco

[Patrick]

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the info. Went on the SLS website and part number 281020 is for the 230 badge at 41,07 Euro. Part number 281021 is for the 250 badge at 85,00 Euro, approxiamately $131.00 CDN. My 250 badge isn't in bad shape, when compared to the star. Still great to know that it's available at a reasonable cost.

Patrick
'68 250SL

[Benz Dr.]

I've seen where someone used a ''250SE '' insignia and cut off the part of the E to form the L. It works.

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

[66andBlue]

Patrick,
don't know whether they are useful for you but there are 3 used trunk stars for sale on ebay:
Item number: 270099482465; Item number: 270099482366; Item number: 270099482036 - all cheap, but the last one is not in good shape.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[Patrick]

Thanks Alfred,

Was going to order one from buds benz, however, needed new roof and window seals, oil filters and some other stuff. While talking to Cheryl at K & K, found out they have them and ordered one from them at approxiamately $41.00 USF.

Dan,

Glad your back. Always appreciate your contributions.

Patrick
'68 250SL