Rechrome needed

[johnthebassist]

Sorry if this was already asked-I haven't found any threads so far. Are there any threads about the who, where of getting parts rechromed? I don't know if it's as simple as going to the local custom automotive shop here, but I'd feel better working with somebody who has experience in this.

Thanks!

John

[beatlefreak]

It's probably best to call around to some local businesses that do plating, and see if they can do some parts for you.

[jingle_jangle]

I'd avoid car/motorcycle shops if possible. The secret to great plating jobs on small parts is in the buffing. Most automotive platers do not care to buff in a manner which preserves the somewhat delicate nature of small parts (like a tailpiece anchor, pickup cover, or a horseshoe surround). Your parts, though they come back shiny, will probably have lost their character and could possibly have lost their radii, edges, etc.

I've had some good success with vapor deposition coating, rather than traditional electrolytic methods. The parts look gorgeous and seem to last well. I'd suggest PVD Coatings in Huntington Beach, CA. http://www.pvdcoatings.net

They do chrome, satin chrome, black chrome, gold, and a whole bunch of other finishes, even colors.

[johnthebassist]

Paul, Kris, thanks for the input. I'm torn, as I feel better having somebody who won't turn my bridge pickup surround into pop art with an angle grinder, but I feel really dumb calling a place for what amounts to a single piece work. Who knows, with a few more months with frozen credit, they may be glad to have the work!

[jps]

There is a plater around the corner from my lab that I have had parts done, work seemed fine to me and the price was very reasonable.

[jingle_jangle]

John, the owner of the company approached me at NAMM and stated during the course of our conversation that they gladly do "onesies".

Another option would be to send the part to Cleveland and let Jeff be your intermediary. Platers are all over the map on quality and price. I once had two name badges for my old Maserati replated by a plater near my house in Southern Cal, who was the current choice of the car and bike studios. They were noted for great work at reasonable prices. They told me one week, took four, broke pins off the backs of both badges, and left the edges of the badges rough. The cost for two small badges was $195.00. I later found two NOS ones for $45.00 each on Ebay.

[dgwguitars]

There's also Paul's Chrome, which has a good rep in the automotive restoration business. They aren't the "grind the hell out of it" school, and know how to take care of some incredibly intricate parts, but as Paul says, good work doesn't come cheap.