bumper rechroming

hemi43 · ONTARIO

bumper rechroming

captainq · ST GEORGE, ONT

Its been awhile since I had a bumper recromed and I know its not cheap, any suggestions on where to go or is it best to ship them out west? I hear its cheaper out there

hemi43 · ONTARIO

Plating house in Toronto, or Cambridge Chrome

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

send them to manitoba, my buddys brother has a chroming outfit there, dirt cheap compared to ontario due to the regulations they have here.

captainq · ST GEORGE, ONT

I heard it was cheaper out west, any idea where he sent them?

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Plating master in london is been around for a long time. Id stay away from shiping it seen some crap work on a few sites latley and you wont find out till you get it back. Make sure who ever dose it still buffs on site or you wont be happy it will look like a spray can job . Call around paint or powder coat might be a better option .

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

i could find out, i know some old guys who sent bumpers and other chrome stuff there

CRGRS 66 · Member

Nice truck!
Pretty sure cambridge chrome is closed up. I am pretty sure that Industrial Processing on avenue road in cambridge does chrome plating.

Gazoo · BADEN, ONT

I've sent mine out west also with good results. It all depends what quality work you are looking for. If OEM finish is good enough for you, I would suggest to send them out west on the bus. If you're looking for show quality (triple plate), Cambridge Custom Chrome is (was) the place to go, but pricey.
Someone said in a earlier post that they were closed, it's the first I hear of it, they're still advertising in Old Autos.
I can look up the info for west platers if you'd like, I have it here somewhere.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Thats what I meant . chrome powder looks like a bad chrome job thats why I said make sure they buff if its not shiney before they put in the tank it wont be when they take it out. A lot of places dont buff because its a crap job and will just plate it the way you send it pits and all . Also its allmost imposible to strip off the old chrome without damaging the base metal unless the person doing it is standing at the tank. I gave up on chrome 20 some years ago not worth the cost for what you get . Old saying chrome wont get you home. You can upgrade a lot of things for the price of rechroming a bumper

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

sample of a 34 grill that was chromed out west

Nice way to ruin a original part

fatchuk · ST MARYS, ONTARIO

I heard Mid-way is gone..they been gone for a couple years now ..Thats what I heard.. Maybe somebody can confirm that..Some builds still look good with Chrome depends what your looking for..I am glad the bumpers on mine are Chrome..I have used Cambridge Chrome before they did good work ..slow and expensive but no complaints on the workmanship..I am surpized there are any Chromers around ..pretty much no vehicle comes with Chrome anymore haven't for a few years ,so all their work would only come from restorers and with this economy and the change many guys are going with now-a-days they are not using a lot of bling and the MOE idiots are trying to shut the whole country down if you fart anymore they need to get a HAZMAT -TEAM and evacuate the province..Idiots..But I still like a Chrome Bumper on some rides..some things just don't look finished right with a painted bumper..but at the end of the day we do what we can afford..when we can afford to..some builds I have done over the years I couldn't afford a bumper painted, bent, or other wise

-- Edited by fatchuk on Friday 26th of April 2013 08:21:09 AM

Ziggy · TRENTON, ONT

fatstax wrote:
send them to manitoba, my buddys brother has a chroming outfit there, dirt cheap compared to ontario due to the regulations they have here.

Am curious as to how much it cost them and how long ago was it done. How do they look like now??

-- Edited by Ziggy on Friday 26th of April 2013 08:18:21 AM

Rochie · LONDON, ONT

Chuk,
you're right about Midway. Frances Robinson sold the business to a guy and he couldn't make it go. That was about 2/3 years ago.
And Slim..... that piece isn't ruined, if somebody was to cough up enough cash it can certainly be re-plated. Oh! and what did the owner want, SHOW chrome or just better looking

-- Edited by Rochie on Friday 26th of April 2013 08:45:08 AM

BAJ · BRANTFORD, ONT

Steve,
Midway in London did the chrome around my grille shell and it turned out really well.

Fordy Acres Car Farm · DORCHESTER, ONT

slim wrote:
Plating master in london is been around for a long time. Id stay away from shiping it seen some crap work on a few sites latley and you wont find out till you get it back. Make sure who ever dose it still buffs on site or you wont be happy it will look like a spray can job . Call around paint or powder coat might be a better option .

Last time I checked, Plating Master didn't have tanks long enough for bumpers. They are more into small Harley parts these days. I used to work with the son in a factory, and I've heard he has taken over the buisiness from his dad.

I have used Midway a few times, but not since '08. They aren't too bad if you don't mind buffing/sanding marks showing through in the tough areas(tight corners) and the price was reasonable....back then anyway.

jarvis1 · COBBLE HILL, BC

There is a very good chrome shop out here in Sidney, BC. He does the chrome work for the lad that restores Mercedes Gullwing cars. One sold for 4.5 million. So you know the chrome is good. He is not cheap. I had the inside windshield molding done for my '51 Ford. $140 each side. But they are perfect. I had a bumper and parts of a '51 Meteor grill done in Vancouver. Not so good. The bumper cost $400 to get done.

will · WALKERTON, ONT

fatstax wrote:
send them to manitoba, my buddys brother has a chroming outfit there, dirt cheap compared to ontario due to the regulations they have here.

Who are they and where are they? Please! I also need some chroming done.

wolfman1 · ST GEORGE, ONT

I believe Cambridge Chrome is still open
Midway in London closed
My Dad is picking up a bumper in the states from Bumper Boys, they are bringing it
to a car show next week for him

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

I just had my 56 Cadillac front bumper done by Mayfair Plating in Toronto on Carlaw Ave.The smaller parts they do there but if it will not fit in the tank they send it out. Quality is as good as OEM and price is reasonable by todays standards. Talk to Chuck . They also recondition pot metal.

JohnnyBgood · ST CATHARINES, ONT

Niagara Custom Plating in Niagara Falls N.Y. on Seneca street. Good work good price . Had several things done. Happy with all. Had bumper bullets and overriders done on my 1952 buick. Straigtened and chromed. $400. Cambridge wanted $600.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Rochie wrote:
Chuk,
you're right about Midway. Frances Robinson sold the business to a guy and he couldn't make it go. That was about 2/3 years ago.
And Slim..... that piece isn't ruined, if somebody was to cough up enough cash it can certainly be re-plated. Oh! and what did the owner want, SHOW chrome or just better looking

-- Edited by Rochie on Friday 26th of April 2013 08:45:08 AM

Maybe Im just simple but if I ran a chrome shop and someone droped off a 34 ford grill there would be no question other then show chrome or try to talk the person out of doing it there realy is no other reson to triple plate a part. yes it could be fixed but at the end of the day to do a proper job you would be looking at 50 hours of labour to come out perfect by the time its restriped and diped in the copper tank 10 times or so with buffing inbetween its going to be a large bill . I wasnt there and am sure both partys are somewhat to blame but as I said before its a process thats not all that easy to reverse the part is now the anoide and unless the chrome comes off even and it wont you start removing base metal. probley no harm on a bumper but something thats allready thin ? for what original 34 grills are selling for he could of sold it to someone that was going to paint it and bought a repop to chrome and still come out ahead. this is only one example Iv run across some others mostly stuff that was shiped with long waiting periods. thats why i sugested to deal with someone local that you can check the work before you pay for it. just not as easy to weasel out of with you standing there

shag766 · FOXBORO, ONT

will wrote:
fatstax wrote:
send them to manitoba, my buddys brother has a chroming outfit there, dirt cheap compared to ontario due to the regulations they have here.
Who are they and where are they? Please! I also need some chroming done.

X2

Newagerod · OSHAWA, ONT

At the ancaster swap meet there was a guy in the 519 area that does a new process that's a spray on chrome, no idea price but it looked really nice and I know it's way cheaper and can be sprayed on really anything. If interested I can find his info

will · WALKERTON, ONT

Hey Justin it sure can't hurt to learn something new. I would be interest. Thanks for offering.
John

shag766 · FOXBORO, ONT

will wrote:
Hey Justin it sure can't hurt to learn something new. I would be interest. Thanks for offering.
John

X2

oldkoot · BROCKVILLE, ONT

This may not be the place but will give you an idea of the results.

http://www.torontospraychrome.com/index.html

flatblack55delivery · PORT HOPE, ONT

I think Canadian Tire has sold it for years,We used to call it chrome in a can ,Some politically incorret people called it Newfy chrome.The shine lasted about 5 minutes but we still bought it . Ed

Ziggy · TRENTON, ONT

I remember Gene Winfield had painted a roof on a 60? 61? caddy for Billy F Gibbons 5 years ago or so. Trying to find the video but not having much luck.

DaveM · ONTARIO

Not quite spray can quality Ed.

smile

Saw this process at SEMA a couple of years ago and the results are very good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-1cTpSZ1l8

flatblack55delivery · PORT HOPE, ONT

Wow you are right Dave,completely different .Looks like a cool process and if legal in California should be OK here.If it is legit it could help a lot of rodders.Wonder if it goes on over bondo,I could do the whole car and make it you know"shiney".This process could single handedly end the rat rod craze.Imagine hundreds of chrome cars with holes in them just shineing away in the sun.I have dibbs on the sunglass concession.For now though I still have some of my Canadian Tire special to use up. Ed

henrys57wagon · WOODLAWN, ONT

More spray on chrome videos. I'm sure there is a demand for this if someone has the want to start up a business.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=spray+on+chrome+-+water+chrome&oq=spray+on+chrome&gs_l=youtube.1.1.0l10.532824.539041.0.542041.15.15.0.0.0.0.890.7768.1j3j0j2j1j2j6.15.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.UB8Z3-ey7VQ

Newagerod · OSHAWA, ONT

The company's called, ez chrome solutions.

519-879-6349
Www.ezchromesolutions.com
Otterville, ON

-- Edited by Newagerod on Tuesday 30th of April 2013 05:42:22 PM

-- Edited by Newagerod on Tuesday 30th of April 2013 05:44:13 PM

parklane · St THOMAS, ONT

Think I heard them mention $4.00/sqft plus more for tight corners etc.

atomsplitter · NEWCASTLE, ONT

Toronto Spray Chrome is in Pickering off Brock Road south of the 401, I have his card in front of me. TruckerSid bought his truck from him a few months back, the guys was gong to chrome the truck to use as a rolling showcase of the stuff. I had the tour and he showed me the 2 custom bikes in his showroom that were painted. It's really differnet & cool and it comes in lots of shades. It's basically a polymer base coat so it sticks to anything, even plastic! The top coat is a clear with the colour pigment in it so it appears to be deep paint and the colour are really vibrant. His display of colours is a bunch of 1-1/2" ABS plumbing elbows. I still wonder how durable the paint would be, it's really a plastic coating?

will · WALKERTON, ONT

fatstax wrote:
send them to manitoba, my buddys brother has a chroming outfit there, dirt cheap compared to ontario due to the regulations they have here.

One more time - can your buddy give us the name of the chroming outfit and where in Manitoba it is located?

I would really like to contact them for their "dirt cheap" pricing.

Thanks

John

Fordy Acres Car Farm · DORCHESTER, ONT

will wrote:
fatstax wrote:
send them to manitoba, my buddys brother has a chroming outfit there, dirt cheap compared to ontario due to the regulations they have here.
One more time - can your buddy give us the name of the chroming outfit and where in Manitoba it is located?
I would really like to contact them for their "dirt cheap" pricing.
Thanks
John

X2

Chris58 · WATERFORD, ONT

I've been a long time fan of Cambridge Custom. If it isn't perfect, they will redo it without question. They are one of the few shops that can still do a full size, one piece bumper, and, yes, they are still in business. Midway went tits-up.

Chris Stapley · CAMPBELLFORD, ONT

Take a bit of caution with the spray chrome fellas, there was a lad in Belleville who lasted about a year because all of his nice fresh Chrome spray counter attacked every known primer used underneath such as the old two part spot putty's did to base clear a number of years back. The work underneath seemingly would bleach the colour out over time and this looks worse than poor chrome.. He eventually went out of business as I understand from trying to look after his clients by repeatedly trying to make it right for them. Very short term bandage with a more Nickel like appearance anyway..

Ragtop · BELLE RIVER, ONT

I had Cambridge do my '47 Ford bumpers. Told them it was a really nice car and I wanted a nice job - didn't try to deal on the price and I got back a pair of bumpers that were crap. The outside looked terrific, I must admit, but they didn't even strip the old chrome off the back side. I had to sand it all off (there was actually pieces of old chrome peeling off) and paint the reverse side. They charged me $600.00 to do this almost 20 years ago. Needless to say I haven't been back and wouldn't reccomend them to anyone. I took my '60 ElCamino bumpers (much more complicated and about 10 pieces altogether, compared to two simple smooth pieces for the '47 to Midway and got an incredible job done for $400.00 a couple of years later. Too bad Midway isn't still around. I'd be very careful with Cambridge if I was you ( if they're still in business of course).

will · WALKERTON, ONT

I was really hoping to find out more about sending bumpers to Manitoba as was posted by fatstax. His buddy's brother had a chrome shop and the prices were "dirt cheap". Just what I was looking for.
Well, he has been asked a few times on here for more information, but no response.
The old story - if it sounds too good to be true, it very likely is!

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

sorry all im still trying to track down this guy, havent seen him in a few years, might even be dead but i hope not

Chris58 · WATERFORD, ONT

Just asking...did you point it out to them to see if they would remedy things for you? I did with Midway and was told to "piss off" in no uncertain terms. Terrible customer service. Glad they've gone outa business. Yet I had an issue with some marks on stuff from Cambridge and they took care of it without a wimper.

Chris

Ragtop wrote:
I had Cambridge do my '47 Ford bumpers. Told them it was a really nice car and I wanted a nice job - didn't try to deal on the price and I got back a pair of bumpers that were crap. The outside looked terrific, I must admit, but they didn't even strip the old chrome off the back side. I had to sand it all off (there was actually pieces of old chrome peeling off) and paint the reverse side. They charged me $600.00 to do this almost 20 years ago. Needless to say I haven't been back and wouldn't reccomend them to anyone. I took my '60 ElCamino bumpers (much more complicated and about 10 pieces altogether, compared to two simple smooth pieces for the '47 to Midway and got an incredible job done for $400.00 a couple of years later. Too bad Midway isn't still around. I'd be very careful with Cambridge if I was you ( if they're still in business of course).

will · WALKERTON, ONT

fatstax wrote:
sorry all im still trying to track down this guy, havent seen him in a few years, might even be dead but i hope not

Good luck with your search. We do need an option to the shops in Ontario.

John

Ragtop · BELLE RIVER, ONT

Yeh, and they couldn't have cared less. They seemed to think it was quite acceptable. I don't know if they're still in business but I won't go back there and I make sure everyone I know understands why.

Chris58 wrote:
Just asking...did you point it out to them to see if they would remedy things for you? I did with Midway and was told to "piss off" in no uncertain terms. Terrible customer service. Glad they've gone outa business. Yet I had an issue with some marks on stuff from Cambridge and they took care of it without a wimper.
Chris

Ragtop wrote:
I had Cambridge do my '47 Ford bumpers. Told them it was a really nice car and I wanted a nice job - didn't try to deal on the price and I got back a pair of bumpers that were crap. The outside looked terrific, I must admit, but they didn't even strip the old chrome off the back side. I had to sand it all off (there was actually pieces of old chrome peeling off) and paint the reverse side. They charged me $600.00 to do this almost 20 years ago. Needless to say I haven't been back and wouldn't reccomend them to anyone. I took my '60 ElCamino bumpers (much more complicated and about 10 pieces altogether, compared to two simple smooth pieces for the '47 to Midway and got an incredible job done for $400.00 a couple of years later. Too bad Midway isn't still around. I'd be very careful with Cambridge if I was you ( if they're still in business of course).

will · WALKERTON, ONT

fatstax wrote:
sorry all im still trying to track down this guy, havent seen him in a few years, might even be dead but i hope not

Must have passed on. That is a bummer!

427strato · Member

We sent two bumpers for a fairlane into Cambridge Chrome this year and two spears from a 63 Galaxie; I think I took them in about early January 2013 and received them back sometime in March. Maybe that is slow, I don't know; seemed reasonable to me as the cars will not be driven until the summer. Some shops have two prices, driver quality and show quality. I don't think they do; just one quality, it is what it is, probably what I would call show quality. The parts were not in bad shape, ie the spears were pitted and the bumpers only slightly bent, but WOW did they come out great. I personally have bumpers and chrome for two of my cars that I'm working on at this point and there is not a chance I would take them anyplace else except Cambridge Chrome. These guys are local to Ontario and there are no shipping charges involved and they stand behind their work. I'm an old guy and these characters have been around as long as I have so what is the point. I think they charged $750 for a bumper. Would you actually send a bumper out of the province for $400 plus shipping two ways plus tax. By the way, with respect to London restorations; my friend sent my power brake booster into M...arch for rebuilding and replating as we were doing a numbers restoration to one of my GM products. When we received the booster back from M...arch the plating they had done was so pathetic that I could not install it on my car and I ended up purchasing a reproduction one from NPD. The one I had refurbished and replated sits in my garage; I think I will body fill it and spray it black; pathetic. If you want pictures of it I will do so along with the receipt from them that I paid for. Of course if I had picked it up personally I would have told them to keep it and walked away.