OEM Side Pipe replating ?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
OEM Side Pipe replating ?
Does anyone with "previous experience",
have a good recommendation for replating the OEM sidepipes ??
the biggest hurdle is stripping them with out damaging,
the 40 year old castings. thanks for suggestions... 69VETT
have a good recommendation for replating the OEM sidepipes ??
the biggest hurdle is stripping them with out damaging,
the 40 year old castings. thanks for suggestions... 69VETT
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Although I have yet to have mine done,I have done research into the process.
Take them to a good plater and have them de-chromed first. Then the plater can do the necessary repairs and re-chrome them.
I hope you don't need them soon. Platers are notoriously slow!!!
Take them to a good plater and have them de-chromed first. Then the plater can do the necessary repairs and re-chrome them.
I hope you don't need them soon. Platers are notoriously slow!!!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
most platers will not touch this job, that is exactly why I am asking for previous expereince with any one who has done the OEM side pipes.
I have used several chrome platers in the past, most think they are to thin and fragile.
No one has had thier OEM sidepipes replated ??
thanks, 69VETT
I have used several chrome platers in the past, most think they are to thin and fragile.
No one has had thier OEM sidepipes replated ??
thanks, 69VETT
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 492
Likes: 3
From: Temecula CA
I had a set rechromed many years ago. I took them to the first plater in the phone book. They didn't express any reservations about doing the job, and they looked beautiful for about two months. Then they pitted, flaked, and peeled. I switched back to rear exhaust......
Temvette72
Temvette72
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
My plater has NO reservations about doing the work I outlined in my previous post. He stated ,in fact ,that he will stand behind his work for a period of 2 years. Any problem at all and he said he will do them over at NO CHARGE! And put them on a "rush order" if they are returned.
Unfortunately I cannot share my "experience" in this project due to the fact that I have yet to give them to him because I had to have the pass. side tip fabricated,and It is not done yet.I have dealt with this gentleman for the past 20 years and he has always been straight with me.
Sorry you can't find a plater that will do for you, what mine will do for me.
Mark
As to the post that stated that the covers flaked off after 2 months,I have found that re-plating is like a quality paint job. The prep(where all the real work is done) will tell the tale as to whether they will look good for the long haul! Perhaps the first one you come across in the phone book is not the best one out there.
Unfortunately I cannot share my "experience" in this project due to the fact that I have yet to give them to him because I had to have the pass. side tip fabricated,and It is not done yet.I have dealt with this gentleman for the past 20 years and he has always been straight with me.
Sorry you can't find a plater that will do for you, what mine will do for me.
Mark
As to the post that stated that the covers flaked off after 2 months,I have found that re-plating is like a quality paint job. The prep(where all the real work is done) will tell the tale as to whether they will look good for the long haul! Perhaps the first one you come across in the phone book is not the best one out there.
Last edited by sly vette; Oct 17, 2008 at 11:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
care to share your plater info. ?
if you do not want to post, private email me,
I am considering going with Jet-Hot process for the side pipes.
thanks, 69VeTT
if you do not want to post, private email me,
I am considering going with Jet-Hot process for the side pipes.
thanks, 69VeTT
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,229
Likes: 4,323
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 69V,
I'd be interested in hearing about you Jet Hot experience.
I was going to have my over the counter 69 pipes done but my local person said they were to long for his tumbler and oven. I let the idea drop... but if it can be done...?
Thanks!
Regards,
Alan
PS; I have cast blast on them now and the look doesn't bother me unless I'm under the car.
I'd be interested in hearing about you Jet Hot experience.
I was going to have my over the counter 69 pipes done but my local person said they were to long for his tumbler and oven. I let the idea drop... but if it can be done...?
Thanks!
Regards,
Alan
PS; I have cast blast on them now and the look doesn't bother me unless I'm under the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 1,382
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
I had my covers done over 10 years ago by a local shop. They didn't indicate that
it was an unusual job.
He said they would remove the old chrome, then plate, I think, with copper,
then they could fill all the pits.
It's been many years now and they look as good as they did when they were first done.
Based on my experience, yes, they can be successfully plated.
You just need to find a competent shop.
Here are a couple of pictures I took a few years ago.
Barry
it was an unusual job.
He said they would remove the old chrome, then plate, I think, with copper,
then they could fill all the pits.
It's been many years now and they look as good as they did when they were first done.
Based on my experience, yes, they can be successfully plated.
You just need to find a competent shop.
Here are a couple of pictures I took a few years ago.
Barry
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Well,I dropped off my pipes with my plater and he stated that he is reluctant to do any more plating of cast alum. pieces. But since I have had work done by him in the past,he would do mine for me.
I think that since all the mom and pop plating shops have closed,this guy can now pick and choose which jobs he wants to tackle. Seems to have a good bussiness just doing the easy stuff.
Sly
I think that since all the mom and pop plating shops have closed,this guy can now pick and choose which jobs he wants to tackle. Seems to have a good bussiness just doing the easy stuff.Sly
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,380
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
My understanding that to be done properly, the cast aluminum covers, once they have been deplated to bare aluminum, must next be anodyized with a conductive anodyzation. Then they can be plated in the conventional manner;i.e. copper, nickel, chrome. It's the anodyzation process that most chrome shops can't do. You can't plate copper directly on aluminum since the metals are too dissimblar.
Having them stripped to bare aluminum, polished, and clear powerderpainted might be a workable alternative.
Having them stripped to bare aluminum, polished, and clear powerderpainted might be a workable alternative.