chrome??

[redfalken]

Here's my experience with chrome plating. There's a company called Art Brass Pating, www.artbrassplating.com in Georgetown who do a pretty good job. They are quick doing bumpers but other small parts can take months to get done.

A lot of the parts on our Falcons are pot metal and can easily be burnt up during the plating process so expect to lose some detail (at least). They do triple plating (copper, nickel, chrome??) which is what you want.

And get ready to give your wallet a workout. Chrome plating (done well) is an art, involves lots of specialized techniques and nasty chemicals, and the EPA highly regulates the industry.

You can also just order bumpers from several Falcon catalogs but the quality can be sketchy. Also, reproduction parts that are chromed don't usually stay looking nice as long as NOS parts do. If you can find NOS I would spend my money there. Of course if your car spends it's life indoors none of this will matter.

In general, you get what you pay for with chrome plating as long as you stick with reputable companies.

[Luva65wagon]

As I get nearer to having all the bits purchased to put this Ranchero I'm working on back together, the thought process moves to bumpers. The chrome on the two sets of bumpers I have is really bad. I have been reading that chroming can cost a $1000 per bumper, which I think is just ridiculous. Has anyone had chroming done on anything recently and if so is this number seeming about right? If so, for a driver, that isn't going to happen. I'll be grinding down to bare metal and painting them (or finding a powder coater somewhere ).

[doghows]

I use EFS plating in Port Orchard. They do excellent work but like stated before it is pricey. I had a liscence frame, back up light bracket and 2 other small pieces and it cost $300 and they fit in a zip lock bag.
Now powder coating on the other hand is a cost effective alternative to plating, BUT chrome power is not as shiny or strong as plating. (I do own a powder shop by the way) I have done bumpers in chrome powder as well as silvers with metal flake in them. They look great. Also the new powders have the ability to be wet sanded and polished to make them smooth and shiny like paint. So there a couple of options out there for you.

[pbrown]

I use Art Brass and the quality is usually great. I've had one bad experience with them and it involved pot metal. I've since learned my lesson.

They do bumpers for a flat fee based on the make and model. The Falcon bumpers are/were $350 each which includes straightening.

All other parts are quoted when you bring them in. My Monte Carlo bar was $225. Me export brace is going to be $400 (it's at the shop now).