Hi everyone from cold frosty Chicago. I have a question about chrome bumpers on my 64 Lark, Eastwood sell a chrome kit that looks great on you tube ,but i am sure will not work as well in my garage.Has anybody tried this,or is it just a waste of money. My bumpers are shot anyway and there don t seem to be a lot of shops around Chicago doing chrome work anymore, Thanks Chris :TU:
If it's the chrome paint kit that I remember from years ago I wasn't happy with the results on a bracket I tried to paint as a test. As far as doing a restoring bumpers. There are very few places doing chrome because of all the government regulations related to the processes and chemicals used. Shipping the bumpers off and having them redone is the only choice. There is Paul's Chrome, Odgen Chrome and a few others around. IMHO, I'd find the place closest to you that cost the least to ship them both ways and use them.
The kit and other processes like it use a base black (sometimes white) paint. Then you use a solution of deionized water and silver nitrate suspension and the "silver" slowly builds up on the part as you apply. This part of the process can take about 10-20 minutes. Then a clear coat is applied. There are some tints that can be applied to get the look of 3 plate copper/nickel/chromium, but it is in the end, paint. It will fade, lose luster, chip, scratch etc., so while it may be good for some interior parts, it will not be the best for bumpers. Figure about a grand for a bumper is really not too much given you will likely only do this once. (process plus shipping both ways) Smaller pot metal parts are a real disappointment to have reworked to remove pitting and have a pieces rechromed. The cost of several parts can be very costly. But a bumper is a pretty good value.
Take the bumpers to AIH Chrome in Dubuque, Iowa. ( right across the river from Galena.) Terrific plating. Clean modern operation. They do the plating for Victory Motorcycles. Expensive.....but, great results. mike
Personally I go with Keystone in Brainerd, MN. They are north of $500 a bumper and since they are an LKQ company that delivers near me shipping is free both ways! They carry a Limited Lifetime Warranty. On the downside they only do bumpers. Just my 2 cents.
Keystone also did a great job on my rear bumper, wished I'd used them for the front instead of going cheaper for a TPP bumper. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
X2....if you go through a local body shop that does business with LKQ they will pick them up and return them plus guarantee your satisfaction. It gets a little confusing because LKQ is in business with Keystone and they are in business with North Star plating in Brainerd. In other words,North Star Plating does everything except bill you. If you have a friend in the collision business you will not beat their prices.
Before sending a bumper to chrome is it better (or mandatory) to have it straigthen and fit to the car BEFORE or do the chrome shop have the specs to get it right ... just to be sure it will fit when new chrome is on ($$$) ? Not sure if my question is clear (english is my 2nd language loll)
Don: I called Keystone last week and talked to a gal and asked her a few questions about straightening and rechroming bumpers. She told me they have jigs and such they fit these in to straighten them 1st. Keith
Not Sure how this works. I've talked to two LKQ employee's direct and they tell me they don't do that it's a " rumor"
Sorry to confuse the point,Keystone is an aftermarket parts supplier for autobody shops,and they will pick them up and take them to NorthStar.LKQ is also an partner with Keystone. LKQ only sells parts as far as I know,but they are also Keystone affiliates. If you are not in a direct contact position with a collision shop,you are better off dealing straight with North Star. It has been my experience that a collision shop will get a wholesale discount and no shipping charge.
Hi, I had 5 bumpers done over the last year (2-71 Impala and 3-70 gs bumpers) that I brought to courtesy metal polishing in villa park IL who outsourced to keystone. One was my front which needed to be straightened. I called keystone direct and was told they have jigs as well. I paid $650 for the gs ones which included shipping for each and could not be happier w the quality of the work. Also, if you need any trim work straightened or polished, courtesy does a fantastic job too. It takes them time but well worth the wait.
You're better off (in my opinion) straightening and tweaking the bumper to fit the car before sending off for plating. I had one front plated with the chromer doing the straightening work. Fit turned out just ok for a driver, not even close for anything show. The second one was fitted to the car, then chromed. Turned out a lot better. Just my experience. Mark
Thank,s everybody for the replys.I talked to a few of the shops and six hundred seems to be the going rate with a core,shipping on top,I taught my own bumpers would pass as cores but no as they both have holes and rust,so i will be looking for some 64 cores in the new year.The spray on chrome is not worth it as the reviews are so/so at best. Thanks to everybody and have a great new year :TU:
I had my bumpers replaced 20 years ago by TriCity plating in TN and they still look new! They have a lifetime warranty and are much cheaper than Paul's Chrome!