1970 GS need to replace or re plate my bumpers

I have heard good things about Knox and was going to send my convertible rear bumper to them but Jim said they had a 7-8 week backlog so I sent it to Houston to Speed and Sport Chrome Plating, Craig Bierman, 713 921 0235 and he has an excellent reputation. Backlog was 2-3 weeks so we shall see, he has had the bumper almost a week now. He priced it at $750 with zero dents or 30 dents, same price. He looked at his files and said the 67 bumpers are large which takes more labor and copper/nickle/chrome. Some bumpers are $550 - 650 with less chroming.

I will post the results once I get it back.

 

They did a nicer job for me then tri city and since shipping is going to cost at least $100 each direction I would recommend to the OP use them since he could drop them off in person in Florida.
And if any problems you don't have to deal with shipping again ( tri-city )

DL

 

Has anyone ever used Ogden Chrome in Utah? They say they ship both ways for free. A buddy of mine had his '68 Dodge Coronet bumpers done by them and they seem okay but took a few months to get them back. I have an N25 rear bumper that needs a little straightening (thanks to a little old lady!) and rechroming and was wondering if anyone else had any experience with them.

Thanks.

 

I had called them a few months ago got quoted about $800.00 for street chrome, show chrome more $$$

I think they tack in the shipping so it's not really free.

I ended up taking it locally $650.00
shipping was way too much to ship anywhere

 

Have a restoration contact in El Paso, TX who uses a plater in El Paso. May be considerably less than the amounts that are being discussed here, although would it seem that less and less outfits are doing this type of work. Similar to finding a place that will boil out and recore a brass radiator, or clean a fuel tank. all they want to do now is sell you a new radiator with plastic tanks, and an aluminum center section.

 

Keep the laughter to a minimum.....is there a difference between 70 Skylark rear and a 70 GS rear? Does it have the name plate mount holes and all? What did Knox charge you for plating?

 

I picked up my 70 GS front bumper about 2 1/2 months ago from Tri City Plating in Elizabethton TN (423-542-6532). At best my front bumper was a "decent core" when it was dropped off. It was bent, twisted a little, a bit mashed in on the side, scratched and had a few scrapes that were kinda deep in my opinion. My bumper is now unbelievable, off the charts! Its Amazing! When they called and said my front bumper was ready for pick up I took the rear with me to leave with them, just in case I was happy with the work they did on the front bumper. I would describe the rear as a "good core" that had 2 holes drilled in it under the license plate for a trailer hitch from years ago. They said "it was no problem" to weld up & fill in the two holes so I left the bumper with them. I picked it up a few weeks ago and AGAIN I was thrilled!! Their price for each of my bumpers was $595. Of course tax was added to give Obama his cut, AND, shipping is what it is if you have to have it shipped. I called Many other chrome shops (I won't name them) and no one was anywhere near their price. Tri City Plating has many Many MANY great reviews on many different forums comfirming their high level of quality. You Will Be Happy With Them!! Mark

 

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/pts/5795697981.html

 

Cars wanted? Anyway...

My Tri-City experience was mixed.

Had 2 rear and one front bumper done for '69 GS.

They blasted the backs (great!) so don't bother doing that like I took the time to.

The rears came out great.

The front was originally shipped back with all the same twists & bends it had when I shipped it to them (thought they had templates for these bumpers).

Second time it was much better (still not perfect) but the chrome looked bad in a few places.

The third time for the front was "close enough". Lots of money in shipping. Last time back I had to wait a while. They didn't know who it belonged to until I called looking for it, which made no sense to me ~ see below.

Nice folks on the phone. Reasonable prices.

They weld your name onto the bumper for warranty IIRC.

Chrome appears to be holding up nicely ~ probably been a good 8 years now.

I would use them again but have noticed, like everything else in our hobby, the prices are going up!

 

X2 - Tri-City had my front 67 bumper 3 times and never straightened it. I even sent pictures showing where it was off. The 1st time was to chrome and straighten. The 2nd time was because the chrome popped off the bottom edge. Then it was damaged in shipping on the way back. Last time it looked good but was not straight. Even though I have a lifetime warranty, I'm not sending it back.

flynbuick is right, get it straight before you send it!

 

No, they do not have jigs or templates. I do know any company that does. You need to straighten and test fit it before you send it out for chrome.

 

Some do...distintly remember this article with a GS bumper Jim.


http://streettechmag.com/2015/02/02/how-to-get-your-bumpers-re-chromed/


Again, Tri-City did straighten the bumper to my satisfaction, as I think a good many shops do.

 

I am sure about Tri City straightening by eye only because I talked with the owner in person about this very issue.

 

Everyone missed your pretty convertible in BG ..
Did they re straighten at no cost ? ( other then re shipping )

I think they use minimal copper imo . Was a good deal at $350 . Probably better choices at $595 plus $200 in shipping .
DL

 

Have used shop Jefferson did in article . Supposedly have templates .
Mine were straightened .
DL

 

Yes, I only had to pay shipping for the bumper down to them each time. That is one reason I think they are okay to deal with despite the shortcomings on that particular bumper. You maybe right about better choices. I certainly would "shop around" any future chrome work. Do you think that shop in Texas uses the templates and they work?

Would have loved to gone to B.G. this year, just didn't have enough vacation time to fit it in. See you next year? :TU:

 

Most places that re-chrome a bumper do not have a jig, think about it you would need a different jig for front and rear for each model, each year, "california" one piece or 3 piece bumpers etc, etc typically they will put it in a fixture and pick a reference point and use a tape measure to make it as square as possible. Then a straight edge and so on. It is an art form no doubt. You also will get what you pay for like most other things. Show chrome, street chrome, triple show chrome are all terms that get thrown around. Like body work the prep work is what makes the chrome just like the paint lays on top of the metal and filler work on shee tmetal. The copper that is put on before the chrome is one of the more important parts.

Some suggestions based on your location:

Tri City in Tn does good work at reasonable prices.
Keystone in Brainerd, Mn 218-829-6324
Brent Reese San Dimas, Ca 714-720-3438
Carlos Ortiz Garland, Tx 214-498-2952 carlospolishing.com

If money is not an object call The finishing Touch 800-403-4545
The video below does do a good job of what separates their work from the rest but trust me he is VERY PROUD of his work.
http://www.thefinishingtouchinc.com/facilities-processes/