Looking to have bumpers re-chromed along with some other odds and ends. Has anyone out there used Sandy's Bumper Mart? Any feedback on quality, etc?
Tom, I’m right here in Syracuse and have used them before. I had my 72 GS convertible bumpers rechromed a long time ago (20+years) and they did a fantastic job then and they still look great. I’ve had them do some metal polishing and that was good too. Although I haven’t used them in a long time, I wouldn’t hesitate one bit. Beware: they are in a rough neighborhood and the place isn’t anything to look at inside or out!
I used Sandys a year ago and the bumpers are great! I got the “street chrome”- which is much better than factory, not as brilliant as triple plate show chrome. They straighten, grind, and repair (weld) defects, then plate. We (a few of us Mass guys) just sent a dozen (plus) bumpers to Sandy’s. I can take pics tomorrow
They don’t mind the bent stuff - they have the jigs. They don’t like too much rust, for obvious reasons. Bent is better than holes.
My initial quote from Sandy's Front Bumper $560 Rear Bumper $560 Headlight doors $160 each Grill $800-$1200 depending on condition. Prices are estimates and are subject to change upon an inspection.
That's what I thought as well. I have never had anything rechromed, but thought the pricing was very reasonable. It will improve the look of the car for approximately $2,500.
For the people around town that I know that have used Sandy's for bumper replating and for the little stuff, we've always been amazed that the bumper replating seems downright reasonable and the little stuff is where they get spendy. I think my bumpers cost around $300-$400 each for the street chroming, but like I said, that was a long time ago. I've never seen their "show" chroming, aka triple plating. It would be interesting to compare, in person, the two.
As of today, August 2021, I'm seeing bids from both Advanced Plating in Tennessee and Ogden Chrome in Utah of around $2800 to re-chrome my straight, rust-free 1970 Buick Skylark rear bumper! Same price for the front. This is for their "show" triple-chrome plating. These shops offer "street" chrome for bumpers, but not for our Buicks as, and I quote, "these Buick bumpers are simply so big and so much area to work."
I took 5 bumpers, 3 front and 2 back, to Tri County Plating in Elizabethton, Tenn. They quoted me $750 per bumper after inspecting them. IDK??? I saved A LOT by bringing them there and picking them up! They take along time because, like everywhere else they can’t get help. DA gov.!!! It’s just the owner and 2 older guys working right now. Crazy!
For what its worth, I had mine done at Tri City Plating as well in Elizabethton, Tenn as well back in 2011 and paid $998 with tax for both front and rear. Dropped off at Charlotte auto fair and then drove up to Tennessee to pick them up myself. Front was tweaked a little bit and welded the point, back was in good shape. Both were painted white by the previous owner. Finally installed the back one a couple months ago. The front is still wrapped up from 10 years ago. Hopefully installed in a couple of weeks.
Am going to be contacting El Paso Electroplating in El Paso, TX soon, regarding a pair of Chevelle bumpers. Will report on estimates given.
Let's pretend I'm an idiot..... I SAID PRETEND. Why can't I have my bumpers stripped, polish em up good and just send them to a plating shop like East Side Plating in Portland. What is the magic or trick to prepping bumpers for chroming?
The problem is that it is worse than painting black. You need to get every scuff, ding and scratch out or you will see it in the chrome. You can't use bondo. You can copper plate to fill some scratches and minor imperfections but any repair is time consuming.
Umm? That is a great price. I wouldn't wait. Once they are onto us v8Buick guys the price might go up.
