Making the Slut Look Respectable

[jaudette3]

I received notice today that my '67 Bahama Yellow coupe (the Transformer) has been accepted into the Carmel Concours in August. As many know here, this car is fundamentally a sports purposes car, which makes it the slut among the trailer queens at a show like this. So I need to do what I can to make it somewhat presentable.

One thing that will help is to rechrome a few bits and I'm looking for a plater that:

(a) won't lose anything (I have to ship them since I'm in Central Oregon)
(b) will turn them around in a reasonable period of time
(c) will do excellent work

Thanks for the recommendations. And wish the slut luck.

Cheers,
JohnA

[endo911rs]

Be ready for sticker shock...chroming is expensive!!!

I had my 67 parts done at Electrofinishing in Kent, WA.

253-850-0540 talk to Mike, tell him Chris Nielsen sent you. He should be familiar with all the parts and give you more accurate price quotes.

I was very happy with the work and done in a timely manner. Price was also on the lower end of the competition.

[endo911rs]

I did not have them do ALL the trim on the car but they did do all the door window parts and my rear bumperettes...





Bumperettes already have discoloration from the exhaust...

[jaudette3]

Beautiful car, Chris. Thanks for the rec.

Cheers,
JohnA

[John Z Goriup]

John,

if you have pitted pieces made of pot metal, such as the chrome horn grilles, I recommend you send them to a specialist. (I would be happy to send you some names, the best one is in Pennsylvania). You will be shocked at their quote, but it's been my experience that merely removing existing chrome and replating pitted pices is totally unsatisfactory. The pits are almost impossible to polish out without altering the shape of the part. They need to be filled with solder and essentially re-shaped. Lots of manhours and detail work.

I personally hate all the expressions about "slippery slopes"and all that rubbish, but Concours prep work is just that, a long slide.

Good luck

JZG

[preS]

I did not have them do ALL the trim on the car but they did do all the door window parts and my rear bumperettes...





Bumperettes already have discoloration from the exhaust...

Your bumper guards look awful sexy to me. Just that slight touch of being used. Can I send you mine?

Richard

[endo911rs]

Richard, I'd be happy to tarnish your chrome...send them out!

BTW, my horn grills were standard variety and severely pitted. I figured they were good donors for trying to make the cutouts for the TTHG lights. My intentions were to only use them as templates. After spending all the time cutting them I decided I might as well chrome them. I had Electrofinishing fill the pits with solder, polish the metal and then triple chrome...and was absolutely floored at the results!

They looked like a brand spanking new part...

[Soterik]

Richard, I'd be happy to tarnish your chrome...send them out!

BTW, my horn grills were standard variety and severely pitted. I figured they were good donors for trying to make the cutouts for the TTHG lights. My intentions were to only use them as templates. After spending all the time cutting them I decided I might as well chrome them. I had Electrofinishing fill the pits with solder, polish the metal and then triple chrome...and was absolutely floored at the results!

They looked like a brand spanking new part...

Chris,
Wow, those look great! I thank you for posting the reference to your chromer as well.... I haven't tried anyone at all since the guys down on 6th Avenue South went out of business. I'll drop a few items off and see what happens. Are you going to Emory's by any chance?

John,
Congrats on getting the invite, well deserved! See you at Garys!

[sithot]

Paul's Chrome Plating (in PA) are good but not inexpensive. They can do pot-metal. I've had them re-plate intricate motorcycle emblems in the past.
Fred Hespenheide (sp?) was my contact.

Good luck,

Tom

[endo911rs]

Hey Eric,

I'm not heading down to Emory's. Too many road trips this year! I have Friday off so give me a shout when you are heading south and I'll see if we can meet up. 425...891.8990

Other chrome shops in Seattle area...

Seattle Art/Brass...really expensive but suposedly top notch work.

5516 3rd Ave South
Seattle, WA 98108
206-767-4443
800-828-3186

Show quality...two locations, owners name is Don Meth. I have used him for aluminum/stainless polishing with great results. I have seen his chrome on custom choppers, also very good results. Everyone says Don has the best prices in town but Electrofinishing seemed to beat his prices.

Show Quality Metal Finishing
1115 So. Elizabeth st.
Seattle, WA 98108
p206-762-6717 f 206-762-3125
admin@metlfin.com

American Plating Inc.
524 N. Gold st.
Centralia, WA 98531
p360-736-0052 f 360-736-0105
admin@metlfin.com