Chrome Platers?

Anyone know of a reasonable chrome plater that is still around? Chrome Masters, Browns, have both shutdown.

I'm thinking of a plater that can do small parts like gas caps, levers, etc. for a price that is not over the top.

There are several here in the Houston area. Next week I plan on visiting some to get an estimate on having some Trident parts rechromed, fender, brake lever ect. I'll post the results.

North Texas Quality Plater's ..... Not cheap, but as the name implies, quality. Google it, or PM me for more info.

Slick

I use Paul's Chrome in Evans City Pa and just received a tank from Deco Chrome in Ormstown, QC Canada.
Both do nice work but they arent cheap.
If someone has a decent quality shop for things that dont need to be "show chrome" speak!

Onder said:

I use Paul's Chrome in Evans City Pa and just received a tank from Deco Chrome in Ormstown, QC Canada.
Both do nice work but they arent cheap.
If someone has a decent quality shop for things that dont need to be "show chrome" speak!

Click to expand...

I have used Paul's in Evans City PA also with excellent results.

wow, Browns shut down? They used to be THE best plater for bike parts.

Damn EPA.

Plating is about the preparation prior to the actual coating.
Our local plater offers three levels of prep and plating - A1 (Good) / A Plus (Better) / A Class (Best / Show job).
Of course, pricing reflects the level requested.
In southern Australia so you would need to add postage.
Ta.

as you are in central Fl check with space coast plating. there is no such thing a a CHEAP plate shop with the EPA regs they have to follow.

Peter S. said:

Anyone know of a reasonable chrome plater that is still around? Chrome Masters, Browns, have both shutdown.

I'm thinking of a plater that can do small parts like gas caps, levers, etc. for a price that is not over the top.

Click to expand...

As strange as it sounds an option would be Thailand. Have no details re: Names of the plating shops and shipping but whilst I was there I met a Harley bunch who told me some Americans go there and bring their parts with them . Lack of enviromental rules and enforcement plus it's Thailand. 8)

Ditto Paul's

Torontonian said:

As strange as it sounds an option would be Thailand. Have no details re: Names of the plating shops and shipping but whilst I was there I met a Harley bunch who told me some Americans go there and bring their parts with them . Lack of enviromental rules and enforcement plus it's Thailand. 8)

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"... enviromental rules and enforcement" That is why plating has become so expensive in the US and CA, probably UK, EU, and AU as well. Grin and bear it, pay for quality work, and know that you are not contributing to environmental damage. Let's face it, the "outlaw" shops dodge the law, and probably don't mind dodging you when you find the work is crap.

Slick

By the way I understand that Brown's closed shop because Ronnie isnt getting any younger and has
some health issues.
My last job went out on the penultimate day. I had no warning no idea.
....and one of the pieces wasnt fully flushed and now has rust issues.
Well obviously Im going to have to look the other way on that now. :-(

Paul's is great, Deco equally so esp if you are north of the border.

Visited 3 chrome platers today. There are more in the area, but these 3 seemed most focused on auto/motorcycle work.
Best estimate I got was from Bright Metals of the Heights. Trident rear fender $250, front brake lever $50 and Commando headlight ear $50. Most of these are pretty close to the same price as a new part except for the Trident rear fender which is a rare piece used for only 2 years. I've generally found that to be true, that rechroming or a repop part were about a breakeven. These folks did some pieces for me on my 72 Commando and I was pretty satisfied with the quality. I wouldn't say it was show quality as it had a few very minor blems, but good for a rider and has held up well for over five years. The other places wanted about a $150 more for the same parts.

htown16 said:

Visited 3 chrome platers today. There are more in the area, but these 3 seemed most focused on auto/motorcycle work.
Best estimate I got was from Bright Metals of the Heights. Trident rear fender $250, front brake lever $50 and Commando headlight ear $50. Most of these are pretty close to the same price as a new part except for the Trident rear fender which is a rare piece used for only 2 years. I've generally found that to be true, that rechroming or a repop part were about a breakeven. These folks did some pieces for me on my 72 Commando and I was pretty satisfied with the quality. I wouldn't say it was show quality as it had a few very minor blems, but good for a rider and has held up well for over five years. The other places wanted about a $150 more for the same parts.

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I would think replating an original part would be preferable to buying a new repro. The new are of lighter gauge, and probably short cut on the plating process. From personal experience, I can attest that most cost cutting happens in the plating process. A quality plater will not succumb to such cost cutting, but you will have to pay for it.

I designed the plating lines for a mfgr of toasters, one line was for a major discounter we all know ... that line shorted the plating but the consumer thought he was getting the same toaster.

Slick

Hi Slick.
Possibly they got the same 'toaster' function but with less/thinner decoration (form).
There a many 'hotter, wetter and heavier' manufacturers out there going broke.
Ta.

needing said:

Hi Slick.
Possibly they got the same 'toaster' function but with less/thinner decoration (form).
There a many 'hotter, wetter and heavier' manufacturers out there going broke.
Ta.

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Actually, I designed the control system for the conveyor lines which moved the parts down the plating line. On the discount line , the dip times were much shorter at each station, and the chrome plate time was what platers call a "flash". The finished product looks as good as the other, but thinner in copper, nickel, and chrome. I do not doubt there were other mechanical electrical cost savings .... these I could not surmise from the control system specs.

There's an old adage .... "you get what you pay for". It is an expensive endeavor to restore one of these vintage machines, ... plating restoration is a large part of that cost.

Plating shops must do 3 things ....

1) comply with environmental regs, or the law will put him out of business
2) charge the customer a fair amount to comply with 1), or economics will put him out of business
3) produce a quality product, or customers who willingly pay for 2) will be unhappy, and he will go out of business.

Another adage .... not old, I just made it up .... there are cheap platers, and there are quality platters, but there are no cheap quality platers.

Slick