Chrome questions...
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,888
Likes: 7
From: Olustee Florida
Pauls is really good. However, I had mine done right down the road from you at Knoxville Custom Chrome. They do good work. What impressed me was that the fellow running it, I guess he was the owner, asked me if I wanted the tops of the bumpers smoothed out. He said some people wanted that but as far as an accurate restoration, he would not recommend it as all C2's have small waves on the top of the bumpers.
The shop does not polish stainless but a couple of employees do. They did a great job on my windshield wiper blades.
And as to losing parts, that want happen at Pauls. They expect a complete list when you recieve it, they make a complete list along with photos of every piece and send a receipt for you to sign.
As far as triple chrome, it was explained to me that no one does that anymore.
I hand delivered mine as I did not want to take chances
I will say this and I don't know if it would be a problem or not. When I dropped off the bumpers, they wrote up a ticket and then took the bumpers out front of the shop and laid them down. I left and began to get nervous about that. I called them back and asked if they are gonna take them inside at night. He assured me they were.
The shop does not polish stainless but a couple of employees do. They did a great job on my windshield wiper blades.
And as to losing parts, that want happen at Pauls. They expect a complete list when you recieve it, they make a complete list along with photos of every piece and send a receipt for you to sign.
As far as triple chrome, it was explained to me that no one does that anymore.
I hand delivered mine as I did not want to take chances
I will say this and I don't know if it would be a problem or not. When I dropped off the bumpers, they wrote up a ticket and then took the bumpers out front of the shop and laid them down. I left and began to get nervous about that. I called them back and asked if they are gonna take them inside at night. He assured me they were.
Last edited by Olustee bus; Dec 10, 2010 at 03:53 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 989
Likes: 13
From: Gloucester Point VA
Va. Vettes
One more vote for Va. Vettes. Dick has a source that does excellent work on chrome. He's handled both a '56 and a '62 I've restored and everyone says good things about the bright work on both cars.
You also get a bonus with Va. Vettes, Dick is a straight shooter. If there are issues he works to fix them to your satisfaction. Give him a call: 757-229-0011.
You also get a bonus with Va. Vettes, Dick is a straight shooter. If there are issues he works to fix them to your satisfaction. Give him a call: 757-229-0011.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,088
Likes: 167
From: Milford Michigan
As far as the actual chroming, I don't know any platers anymore that still use copper. Copper is so caustic, I think the EPA has almost forced the chrome platers to go away from it & everything now is usually 2-step nickel, then chrome. VA. Vettes can verify this. If the nickel dips (& everything else) are done correctly, the chrome job should be excellent.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,934
Likes: 657
From: Norwalk ohio
2019 Corvette of the Year Winner
St. Jude Donor '15
I had a spot show up under one of my front bumpers a couple of years AFTER they were done by Pauls. I sent it back and they covered it under warranty! Great to deal with.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,984
Likes: 185
From: CT
As far as the actual chroming, I don't know any platers anymore that still use copper. Copper is so caustic, I think the EPA has almost forced the chrome platers to go away from it & everything now is usually 2-step nickel, then chrome. VA. Vettes can verify this. If the nickel dips (& everything else) are done correctly, the chrome job should be excellent.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,347
Likes: 36
From: San Clemente CA
Can you advise the charge for 4 tail light assemblies and 2 door handles? ( and lead times)
Thanks
Don
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 609
Likes: 1
I respectfully stay away from taillights for three reasons.
1) They are an assembly. The chrome cup has to be separated from the other components or everything gets plated.
2) The lights are a cup. The plating will attach to the rim very nicely but plating does not like to go down inside the cup leavening the customer with poor results. The cup also it very difficult to polish the pitting out
3) We sell Trim products reproduction taillights at a discount, that are made in the USA, and have a track record of excellent quality.
Thank you for the inquiry.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
As far as the actual chroming, I don't know any platers anymore that still use copper. Copper is so caustic, I think the EPA has almost forced the chrome platers to go away from it & everything now is usually 2-step nickel, then chrome. VA. Vettes can verify this. If the nickel dips (& everything else) are done correctly, the chrome job should be excellent.
Unless a new process has been developed, plating of pot metal trim still REQUIRES a copper strike coat prior to the nickel. The nickel plating solution is very aggressive and will attack the pot metal if it is not protected with copper.
Regards, John McGraw
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,347
Likes: 36
From: San Clemente CA
Thank you for the inquiry.
I respectfully stay away from taillights for three reasons.
1) They are an assembly. The chrome cup has to be separated from the other components or everything gets plated.
2) The lights are a cup. The plating will attach to the rim very nicely but plating does not like to go down inside the cup leavening the customer with poor results. The cup also it very difficult to polish the pitting out
3) We sell Trim products reproduction taillights at a discount, that are made in the USA, and have a track record of excellent quality.
Thank you for the inquiry.
I respectfully stay away from taillights for three reasons.
1) They are an assembly. The chrome cup has to be separated from the other components or everything gets plated.
2) The lights are a cup. The plating will attach to the rim very nicely but plating does not like to go down inside the cup leavening the customer with poor results. The cup also it very difficult to polish the pitting out
3) We sell Trim products reproduction taillights at a discount, that are made in the USA, and have a track record of excellent quality.
Thank you for the inquiry.
Don
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 595
Likes: 2
From: Beaver Penna.
Thank you for the inquiry.
I respectfully stay away from taillights for three reasons.
1) They are an assembly. The chrome cup has to be separated from the other components or everything gets plated.
2) The lights are a cup. The plating will attach to the rim very nicely but plating does not like to go down inside the cup leavening the customer with poor results. The cup also it very difficult to polish the pitting out
3) We sell Trim products reproduction taillights at a discount, that are made in the USA, and have a track record of excellent quality.
Thank you for the inquiry.
I respectfully stay away from taillights for three reasons.
1) They are an assembly. The chrome cup has to be separated from the other components or everything gets plated.
2) The lights are a cup. The plating will attach to the rim very nicely but plating does not like to go down inside the cup leavening the customer with poor results. The cup also it very difficult to polish the pitting out
3) We sell Trim products reproduction taillights at a discount, that are made in the USA, and have a track record of excellent quality.
Thank you for the inquiry.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Absolutely, on show chrome (although GM didn't use it originally - they just used nickel and chrome). Copper is the foundation of a quality plating job. Here's a rack of Paragon midyear bumpers fresh out of the copper tank, awaiting polishing before getting nickel and final chrome. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
+1 They are not speedy or inexpensive, but they do fantastic work. They fixed and replated the rear bumpers for my 66 that had two holes drilled in each one and were very pitted from exhaust gases for 850.00 total. They look fantastic and you would never know they once had holes for a trailer hitch.
Sidenote: i ordered some repro bumpers and they did not even line up with the body I also noted that they were much thinner than the original bumpers. I sent them back immediately.
Sidenote: i ordered some repro bumpers and they did not even line up with the body I also noted that they were much thinner than the original bumpers. I sent them back immediately.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,984
Likes: 185
From: CT
+1 They are not speedy or inexpensive, but they do fantastic work. They fixed and replated the rear bumpers for my 66 that had two holes drilled in each one and were very pitted from exhaust gases for 850.00 total. They look fantastic and you would never know they once had holes for a trailer hitch.
Sidenote: i ordered some repro bumpers and they did not even line up with the body I also noted that they were much thinner than the original bumpers. I sent them back immediately.
Sidenote: i ordered some repro bumpers and they did not even line up with the body I also noted that they were much thinner than the original bumpers. I sent them back immediately.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 68
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Plating
Although I have not used Advance Plating myself (have a local source that is excellent here in Michigan) I have seen several plating jobs from them on street rods in this area. Their work is outstanding and like other have said they are not cheep or fast but top quality chrome shops never are.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,347
Likes: 36
From: San Clemente CA