Bumpers rechromed?

Chris Haynes

Chris Haynes

Well-known member
My newly acquired 1930 Tudor's bumpers have been painted. Most Model A's I see have obvious reproduction bumpers on them. Is there some reason they don't have them re-plated?
 
Chris Haynes said:
My newly acquired 1930 Tudor's bumpers have been painted. Most Model A's I see have obvious reproduction bumpers on them. Is there some reason they don't have them re-plated?
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$$$$

Seven years ago, Paul's Chrome in P.A. did a set rear bumpers for peters180a/170b at $300.00 per bar times 4 bars. Yup $1200.00 for the rears.
 
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Mike V. Florida said:
$$$$

Seven years ago, Paul's Chrome in P.A. did a set rear bumpers for peters180a/170b at $300.00 per bar times 4 bars. Yup $1200.00 for the rears.
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That is way out of line because only the face needs to be polished smooth, and I wouldn't take the rivets out since that end is all black paint. I would sandblast the bumpers and polish the face myself, then take them to the plater. Of course if you have deep pits that need to be filled that would be different, and I'd be looking for a better set.
 
Try calling Mr. Steve at Bert's.

Sometimes they have people who offer different Model A services off and on ..... sometimes not ...... just pot luck ..... depends on gravitational tidal moon forces and Global Warming temperatures of individual residual brain moisture.

Appears people who do any kind of specialty Model A work just come and go in different moon phases ....... work for a spell .... then no more ...... then somebody else may knock on their door asking for work.

Had bumpers and gear shift lever re-chromed at Bert's a few years ago when the moon was right .... excellent job ..... just never give up & keep asking .... one thing for sure ..... your answer will always be "NO" if you quit asking !!!!!!
 
In this day and age . . . it is no doubt far cheaper and much less trouble buying NEW bumpers than trying to get anything re-plated. As with most things in the USA within recent decades, the Fed government though EPA rules has greatly restricted such operations as metal plating. Just last night I happened to be looking online at Mike's A Fordable parts and saw brand new "stainless steel" Model A Ford front bumpers for just over $300. The chrome versions were less.
 
Some notes on bumpers.

The back sides get their color from the original process. During A production there was no bright nickel. So the dull nickel needed to be polished before chrome plating. Only the front was polished. The back side would look like the back side of aluminum foil. Also the back of the bumper would have mill scale, so they would not be smooth.

Very few shops have the correct tank to do this process. Paul's has the tank, but the guy says he could never get it to work right. Based on how they messed up my plating they just have troubles. Frankford plating near Phliadelphia I know has the correct tank and can do the correct process.
 
Beauford said:
Bruce of MN....looks like Hanlon is in our backyard. I'm 20mins North of Richmond.
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I hope it works out for you. Some of the above tips on what should actually be polished can avoid wasted labor by you or the shop.

My rear bumpers need replating, so I may see how the job using the above tips compares to a new stainless set in cost.
 
I don't know all the little details of replateing. I priced mine from all local chrome shops and got new ones at Bert's for almost half the price. And no 3-6 month wait. I"m very happy with what I got.
 
I'm in this problem myself, plater wanted $1000 bucks a piece for the rears.
Stainless units are NOT in stock anywhere.
So I painted mine for now.
IMG_1369_zpsckihy8e8.jpg
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
That is way out of line because only the face needs to be polished smooth, and I wouldn't take the rivets out since that end is all black paint. I would sandblast the bumpers and polish the face myself, then take them to the plater. Of course if you have deep pits that need to be filled that would be different, and I'd be looking for a better set.
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Out of line? Not so sure see ford-m's quote.
 
A local powder coat shop says they can do powder coat chrome. I am sending some motorcycle pieces over to see how they come out. I will let you know how it looks.
 
Alaska Mike said:
A local powder coat shop says they can do powder coat chrome. I am sending some motorcycle pieces over to see how they come out. I will let you know how it looks.
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I would consider Mikes advice about the powdercoating if you are looking for a driver and don't want to stick with silver paint. I saw an exhaust manifold at the powdercoaters that had a good sheen to it, looked like porcellenizing with a good silver gloss and should stand up better than silver paint.
 
I saw some of the newer 'chrome' powdercoating on a 46 Chevy grille and bumpers.I was real impressed with it.It looks like older,or aged chrome.It fit the car it was on perfectly.I'm going to use it on a front bumper for an A pickup.I do remember Pete Mendola talking about getting his chrome done for his 180-A.He found a shop that was willing to do the work to his specs as long as he was willing to step up to the plate and pay for their time.He stepped up and they produced.
 
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