new or re chrome bumpers?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 668
Likes: 21
new or re chrome bumpers?
I am having a new front bumper put on my 73 next week. Now I need to do something with the 2 chrome rear bumpers. What to do? Should I buy new. repro or send them to someone to have rechrome plated. I like the idea of keeping it original by rechrome plating but do not know who to send them to. Any ideas? Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
There has to be a shop in any major city near you that does electroplating....start in the yellow pages, or let us know where home is - maybe someone on the forum can help. I would think you want to keep the originals installed, unless they are completely rotted away. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi sd,
I believe it's a good idea to have your original bumpers re-chrome plated because you know how they fit, and it's very likely you'll get a better job.
Where are you located ?... there are platers in many areas of the country.
Regards,
Alan
I believe it's a good idea to have your original bumpers re-chrome plated because you know how they fit, and it's very likely you'll get a better job.
Where are you located ?... there are platers in many areas of the country.
Regards,
Alan
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,988
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Most of the repro bumpers are terrible quality. My trusted parts seller refused to sell them to me.
I rechromed my originals and like Alan said, that assures you of proper fit. No-brainer.
I rechromed my originals and like Alan said, that assures you of proper fit. No-brainer.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
x2 on Librandi. A local shop screwed up the front bumper on my '71 to where I was not sure it could be saved (waves and took the front edge of with what looked like a belt sander). But Librandi fixed it up way better than new. It's show quality.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
See that chrome strip that runs under the back of the T-tops? It's in the picture just above the little triangle bolt. I have two of these strips with some very mild superficial corrosion. I wanted them replated. I was quoted $180 each. When I was surprised, the replater took the strips and polished them and they looked then like new. He told me to keep them covered with carnova (spelling?) wax and they'd look like new for a long time. Thanks to him for being so honest, but replating prices are just going through the roof I think. He said in January of this year, he paid out $40,000 in licenses to the EPA and similar agencies for his plating business. He said the only reason he could be in business at all was because he had grandfather clause privileges for his business. When he decides to retire and close his business, he won't be able to sell the business since a candidate new owner wouldn't be able to get the licenses at all!!!!
Last edited by 68/70Vette; May 5, 2012 at 11:01 PM.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 668
Likes: 21
I will reach out to Librandi. I found their website. I was at Carlsile on Wens but I didn't see them .Their website says they will be at the swap meet. May be I can ship the bumpers to them.
As far as China doing our work it makes me sick. America needs to wake up and start manufactoring here in the USA again. China makes most of our steel, are we going to buy our steel from them to build our Army tanks? We need jobs. What will our children and grandkids do for a living? Sorry but this topic makes me upset.
Thanks for the tip about Librandi.
I have been told the yrs ago Phila had some good chrome shops but I bet most of them are gone.
As far as China doing our work it makes me sick. America needs to wake up and start manufactoring here in the USA again. China makes most of our steel, are we going to buy our steel from them to build our Army tanks? We need jobs. What will our children and grandkids do for a living? Sorry but this topic makes me upset.
Thanks for the tip about Librandi.
I have been told the yrs ago Phila had some good chrome shops but I bet most of them are gone.
Last edited by superdave269; Apr 27, 2012 at 07:32 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
Been there done that with cheap bumpers from the bumper boys..years ago...discolored within a year or 2 at the most.... Librandi then did my originals on my 72 and also the rear bumper on my 68 Chevelle I had at the time...
Small mom and pop rechromers were put out of business by the EPA.years ago ..-30 years ago There were plenty of them around and most did good work..
Bob G.
Small mom and pop rechromers were put out of business by the EPA.years ago ..-30 years ago There were plenty of them around and most did good work..
Bob G.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 68/70 V,
Yes the ss plate is nice, but some people feel the ss appearance doesn't match the other chrome plated parts in that area.
Regards,
Alan
Some people even have the screws re-plated.
Yes the ss plate is nice, but some people feel the ss appearance doesn't match the other chrome plated parts in that area.
Regards,
Alan
Some people even have the screws re-plated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
I think you'll have better overall fitment with the original bumpers.
I have used Frankford Plating in Philly with great results and also Librandi's with great results. Librandi's was conveniently at Carlisle so I save on shipping.
I have used Frankford Plating in Philly with great results and also Librandi's with great results. Librandi's was conveniently at Carlisle so I save on shipping.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
IF you have 'factory original' rear bumpers...and IF you can locate a good chrome shop that won't bust your wallet, then get them re-chromed. Otherwise, buy a repop set...but keep the originals, 'just in case'.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,551
Likes: 10
From: Kulpmont PA
Librandi did my front bumper guards last year, and rear bumpers this year. I am very please with their work.
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