Chrome Plating Grille Price - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hair · 03-06-2008, 05:30 PM

Anyone know of a reasonably priced chrome plater? I want to get the grille and hood brows chrome plated on my 71 GMC but every place that I've checked wants like 800 to 1200 bucks and a reproduction set-up runs about $400 (but it is reproduction). Anyone know where I can get the job done cheaper but good?

cdowns · 03-06-2008, 05:40 PM

chrome is labor intensive good chrome costs big time

jb4short · 03-06-2008, 06:07 PM

Knoxville Custom Chrome is probably the closest to you

**special-K** · 03-06-2008, 06:35 PM

The GMC grilles are a tough deal.You`ll never get anywhere near a replacement grille cost.About double at best.These have only been produced in the last few years.I bought my`72 in`01 and was happy to see one with a good grille (in pictures).When I flew out to drive it back I saw that the p.o. had put screening behind the grille with a roofing stapler,a bunch of little snake bites all around the openings.I figured no big deal,braze them shut and chrome it.Then,I found out how plating had skyrocketed.I knew from chroming bike parts that the price had been going up about every year since about 1990.But,I really was shoked to find what it can run.

**Tom Vogel** · 03-06-2008, 09:11 PM

OK... heres a warning. I sent my nice original grill to an austensibly reputable plater in Bakersfield (who shall not be named). They were going to chrome it for 400$. I sent it back four times because of the poor quality. They finally ruined it by buffing clean through it... sigh.
Anyway, I had to buy a repop for $400 which fit ...ok... just ok. So now Im out the 400$ for the original chroming job And my nice original grill AND Im going to have the repop properly rechromed so it will match the quality of my nice paint job.
My point? Nobody rides for free. Make sure the chromer you are using knows how to copper fill and polish correctly. Youll be money ahead in the long run.
Im sending my repop grill to Sherms PLating in Sacramento where the rest of my chroming and stainless has been done flawlessly. Is it cheap? H--- No. But at least it will be right the first time.
Tom

chevguy7 · 03-06-2008, 11:32 PM

I got a quote for the grille off my '70 Chevy for $500 here in Seattle.

lyrikz · 03-07-2008, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevguy7

I got a quote for the grille off my '70 Chevy for $500 here in Seattle.

FYI, id say 95% of the places here in the NW send out their parts to have them done. They do not chrome them here. Who did you use?

chevguy7 · 03-07-2008, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyrikz

FYI, id say 95% of the places here in the NW send out their parts to have them done. They do not chrome them here. Who did you use?

I haven't taken it to anyone yet. It was a quote I got from a place in South Seattle.

lyrikz · 03-07-2008, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevguy7

I haven't taken it to anyone yet. It was a quote I got from a place in South Seattle.

Im pretty sure that they will ship it to someone to have it done. The regulations on chroming are SOOOO tight here its very hard to have a chroming business.. They have to keep the beautiful NW beautiful.....

You noticed if you went to the monroe swap meet, they had the chromers there, ALL from california. ahahah...

**special-K** · 03-07-2008, 01:12 AM

Hey Tom,I remember your story and how a "good" plater will be costing serious bucks.Guys couldn`t believe the quote.But,after seeing what "could" happen,you`d think that quote would seem more reasonable.One thing`s for sure,that "good" plater`s price (or your total cost) would have been $800 cheaper if you had gone there first,right?My hat`s off to you for your determination and accepting biting the bullet to get what you really want.Your story should go to prove "going cheaper" can wind up costing more.Or,you can spend a good bit on "cheap" and get less than you started with.I know I can see where you`re coming from.
There`s just no cheap way around getting a good chrome job on these grilles...period.

Longhorn Man · 03-07-2008, 02:32 AM

the chemicals used for chroming is very nasty, and the federal EPA has cracked down BIG time... then some states add to the problem. This is why almost all the chrome engine parts are not made in the US.

wibilly · 03-07-2008, 06:20 AM

has anyone tryed the chrome powqder coatings? just wondering if it looks anything like the real thing

03-06-2008, 05:30 PM	#1
Hair Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tullahoma, TN Posts: 406	Chrome Plating Grille Price Anyone know of a reasonably priced chrome plater? I want to get the grille and hood brows chrome plated on my 71 GMC but every place that I've checked wants like 800 to 1200 bucks and a reproduction set-up runs about $400 (but it is reproduction). Anyone know where I can get the job done cheaper but good?

03-06-2008, 05:40 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Chrome Plating Grille Price chrome is labor intensive good chrome costs big time __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-06-2008, 06:07 PM	#3
jb4short Damn Yankee Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynchburg, VA Posts: 2,261	Re: Chrome Plating Grille Price Knoxville Custom Chrome is probably the closest to you

03-06-2008, 06:35 PM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Chrome Plating Grille Price The GMC grilles are a tough deal.You`ll never get anywhere near a replacement grille cost.About double at best.These have only been produced in the last few years.I bought my`72 in`01 and was happy to see one with a good grille (in pictures).When I flew out to drive it back I saw that the p.o. had put screening behind the grille with a roofing stapler,a bunch of little snake bites all around the openings.I figured no big deal,braze them shut and chrome it.Then,I found out how plating had skyrocketed.I knew from chroming bike parts that the price had been going up about every year since about 1990.But,I really was shoked to find what it can run. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-06-2008, 09:11 PM	#5
Tom Vogel 2WD Jimmy Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davis County, Utah Posts: 2,565	Re: Chrome Plating Grille Price OK... heres a warning. I sent my nice original grill to an austensibly reputable plater in Bakersfield (who shall not be named). They were going to chrome it for 400$. I sent it back four times because of the poor quality. They finally ruined it by buffing clean through it... sigh. Anyway, I had to buy a repop for $400 which fit ...ok... just ok. So now Im out the 400$ for the original chroming job And my nice original grill AND Im going to have the repop properly rechromed so it will match the quality of my nice paint job. My point? Nobody rides for free. Make sure the chromer you are using knows how to copper fill and polish correctly. Youll be money ahead in the long run. Im sending my repop grill to Sherms PLating in Sacramento where the rest of my chroming and stainless has been done flawlessly. Is it cheap? H--- No. But at least it will be right the first time. Tom

03-06-2008, 11:32 PM	#6
chevguy7 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Washington Posts: 316	Re: Chrome Plating Grille Price I got a quote for the grille off my '70 Chevy for $500 here in Seattle. __________________ 1970 C10 - ECE 3.5/5 drop, dual exhaust with turbo mufflers, front discs http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=272458 2000 Buick Regal GS - Supercharged 3.8 V6 240hp, 1/4 mile 15 seconds

03-07-2008, 01:12 AM	#10
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Chrome Plating Grille Price Hey Tom,I remember your story and how a "good" plater will be costing serious bucks.Guys couldn`t believe the quote.But,after seeing what "could" happen,you`d think that quote would seem more reasonable.One thing`s for sure,that "good" plater`s price (or your total cost) would have been $800 cheaper if you had gone there first,right?My hat`s off to you for your determination and accepting biting the bullet to get what you really want.Your story should go to prove "going cheaper" can wind up costing more.Or,you can spend a good bit on "cheap" and get less than you started with.I know I can see where you`re coming from. There`s just no cheap way around getting a good chrome job on these grilles...period. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-07-2008, 02:32 AM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Chrome Plating Grille Price the chemicals used for chroming is very nasty, and the federal EPA has cracked down BIG time... then some states add to the problem. This is why almost all the chrome engine parts are not made in the US.

03-07-2008, 06:20 AM	#12
wibilly Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: northwestern wi Posts: 2,111	Re: Chrome Plating Grille Price has anyone tryed the chrome powqder coatings? just wondering if it looks anything like the real thing __________________ common sense isn't so common anymore



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