Author Topic: Grille, Where to rechrome?  (Read 9521 times)

peter210

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Grille, Where to rechrome?
« on: August 14, 2008, 20:51:12 »
Hello,

I am in need of having my front grill re-chromed.  It was on the way to Nu-Chrome yesterday but after reading feedbacks from the link below I requested the package to be rerouted back to me.  I was very lucky to find this link before the package was delivered.
http://www.imperialclub.com/Part/Vendors/NuChrome.htm

Has anyone had a good experience with anyone?  Can any shop be recommended?

I also have a ’66 230SL with original ZF5 for sale.  The car has new interior, new top, new chrome (bought ready, not re-chromed) and new paint which is not a show quality.  I bought the car in California from a gent who had it for years.  No rust.  Please email me if interested.  Pictures are available.

pmi1@ix.netcom.com


mdsalemi

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Re: Grille, Where to rechrome?
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2008, 17:13:38 »
Peter210,

Sadly, I had my grill rechromed twice at Graves Plating in Alabama.  They are familiar with our grill and do a beautiful job.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

hauser

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Re: Grille, Where to rechrome?
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2008, 17:48:55 »
Mike, why twice?

mdsalemi

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Re: Grille, Where to rechrome?
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2008, 07:36:34 »
quote:
Originally posted by hauser

Mike, why twice?


I thought you all had heard the sad story.  I had a new nose panel put in during restoration.  I found a guy on eBay selling "rechromed" grill surrounds, "1boygenius" was his name.  Bought one, restorer didn't like the fit.  Returned it, got grill #2.  Restorer didn't like the fit.  Returned it, got grill #3.  PERFECT FIT!  Problem was it was NOT rechromed like the others.  We cut a deal, he gave a discount, I got a non-rechromed grill at a reasonable price.  Other than the chrome, it was perfect.  The restorer was happy too--he said the rechromes, aside from the fit issue, were "Tijuana" chrome jobs, if you catch my drift...not very good.

Sent out to Graves for replating, comes back looking like a million bucks.  We go to mount in and C-R-A-A-A-C-K!! :(  The darn thing cracks at a well-known stress point--the upper corner, driver's side.

The restorer opens up the crack to relieve the stress...brazes it and repairs it to perfection...and back off to Graves...

...for chrome plating #2.

http://www.gravesplating.com/

It's been fine ever since.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2008, 07:37:29 by mdsalemi »
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

peter210

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Re: Grille, Where to rechrome?
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2008, 17:18:07 »
Michael,

Thank you for valuable info.  Graves has my pictures already.  Let's see what they quote...

Peter

66andBlue

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Re: Grille, Where to rechrome?
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2008, 22:56:58 »
Peter,
I have used this company for bumper plating. They have 2 levels: "show" plating and "normal" and the price difference is substantial. I selected normal and am quite happy with the results.
http://www.aaplating.com/
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

hauser

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Re: Grille, Where to rechrome?
« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2008, 23:49:03 »
I have a tiny dimple on my grill and I called around some of the better known chromers.  This is what I got.  Some shops needed to see it, Graves said it couldn't be fixed.  While watching a car show on TV they were in the process of restoring a 300sl Gullwing.  The chrome shop that was doing the work for them was Paul's Chrome.  I decided to give them a call to discuss my grill.  While they couldn't price the job they did say that removing the dimple would be no problem.  Has anyone here have any experience with Paul's?

http://www.paulschrome.com/

http://www.gravesplating.com/

mdsalemi

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Re: Grille, Where to rechrome?
« Reply #7 on: August 18, 2008, 06:38:08 »
Hauser,

Repair, and replating are two different things.  You'd think that one who specializes in the latter, would be good at the former.  However it isn't always the case.  I've seen some CAD platers, and powder coaters, and people who specialize in the restoration certain of engine bay components do the finish work only, but won't touch any prep work.

For what it's worth, my restorer was very good at welding and brazing--thus he did the repair on my grill.  Graves only did the plating.  I used 4 platers and am not partial to any one of them.  My restorer did warn me, however, that some platers without the experience can easily destroy a freshly chromed grill surround because it is relatively delicate brass; the post-plating process of buffing and finishing can alter the shape rendering it useless.  The same holds true for the bow-shaped trim around the tonneau.  So, rather than risk anything I let the restorer handle the more delicate stuff through Graves.

Other less delicate stuff went to other places.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

thelews

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Re: Grille, Where to rechrome?
« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2008, 06:49:22 »
Jon Wright's www.customchromeplating.com did a wonderful job on my 190 SL.  It was the best part of the restoration.  They do repair and plating to your desired level.  Very busy, but worth the wait.  My front bumper guards and left grille wing were dented.

« Last Edit: August 18, 2008, 06:52:06 by thelews »
Enjoy some pictures at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8292359@N06/sets/72157603240571101/show/

John - Wisconsin
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual #1543
1961 190 SL 23K miles
1964 Porsche 356
1970 Porsche 911E
1991 BMW 318is
1966 Jaguar XKE
1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750

benzportland

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Re: Grille, Where to rechrome?
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2008, 23:06:40 »
Try Victoria Plating LLC in Victoria Canada.  They did a "show finish" on the full-round version horn ring for me, refinishing it from one that was deeply pitted, for about $90.00 USD.  Looks absolutely beautiful.  The whole process took less than a few weeks (most of the time was shipping through customs).