Seat Side Rail Chrome
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Oakton VA
Seat Side Rail Chrome
I'm replacing the seat cushions and covers on my 72. The 2 outside seat rails have worn chrome and some rust spots. A new set costs about $200-$300. I inquired locally abour re-chroming the bottom portions of the rails and they would cost $75 EACH.
Has anyone had experience with the re-pros or re-chroming? The rails I have are perfectly serviceable except for the worn chrome. Your suggestions welcome.
Happy Holidays,
Dick
Has anyone had experience with the re-pros or re-chroming? The rails I have are perfectly serviceable except for the worn chrome. Your suggestions welcome.
Happy Holidays,
Dick
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Dick,
I'd think the rails would be good candidates for re-plating. I'd bet the cost would be a good bit less than new parts.
Librandi's near Harrisburg, Pa. does very nice work at reasonble prices. Worth a phone call?
Regards,
Alan
I'd think the rails would be good candidates for re-plating. I'd bet the cost would be a good bit less than new parts.
Librandi's near Harrisburg, Pa. does very nice work at reasonble prices. Worth a phone call?
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Oakton VA
I called Librandi's as Alan 71 suggested. They want $75 each for a total of $300. Does anyone have experience with the reproductions (I assume) from Zip ($200) or MidAmerica ($190)? Is it worth an additional $100 to rechrome the original pieces?
Dick
Dick
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Dick,
I'm a bit suprised at the cost (I would have guessed $50 each). Librandi does VERY nice work.
I haven't seen the repros so I can't help with what they're like.
Regards,
Alan
I'm a bit suprised at the cost (I would have guessed $50 each). Librandi does VERY nice work.
I haven't seen the repros so I can't help with what they're like.
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
I sent mine to A.C Plating in Bakersfield CA. In 2003 it cost me 28 bucks each and they did an excellant job. Send them a photo and they can give you a quote.
Gary
http://www.acplating.com/restoration.htm
Gary
http://www.acplating.com/restoration.htm
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
I think that the repros just don't have the same quality as orig. it is worth the extra money to rechrome, and I think you can trust the judgement of the one Alan has suggested. A good chromer knows his work and will provide a quality product.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Chroming has become very expensive, it is labor intensive and the gov. is cracking down on chemicals used. China is about the cheapest place now, if you could find a place in China that does good work ( they are there ) then you could chrome something at a fraction of the cost 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
The chrome plated parts I'm seeing from China (I'm thinking outer door handles) don't seem to have had the necessary metal preparation and buffing time spent on them. So I often see flaws and swirl marks.
Since there are relatively few chrome plated parts on the cars we love it's nice to have them look as good as possible.
Regards,
Alan
The chrome plated parts I'm seeing from China (I'm thinking outer door handles) don't seem to have had the necessary metal preparation and buffing time spent on them. So I often see flaws and swirl marks.
Since there are relatively few chrome plated parts on the cars we love it's nice to have them look as good as possible.
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
Sometimes the inside chrome rails are in very good condition and do not show much when installed. If you change the rails around you come up with good results at no cost. Check and see how much chrome shows on the inside rails when the seats are installed in your car and you may get by with two rechromed rails if you want to keep the cost down.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Parts that are pitted/rusted will cost more because of the prep work to fill in the low spots, then do all the chroming work. If the chrome is just scuffed and/or scratched, a good professional metal polishing can make them look a lot better for low $$. Chrome work in the U.S. is 'sky high' because of all the environmental requirements placed on plating operations.