So I dropped my bed trim pieces off for my Elky today - the 4 pieces that go up around the rear window and down to the front corners of the bed, and then the two rear corners. I figured a couple of hundred bucks for the whole shabang - boy, was I wrong!

They wanted 85 bucks each for the two upper pieces that run along the roof, 65 each for the two pieces that run from the roof pieces down to the front corners, and then 45 each for the two rear pieces.

Now - call me crazy, but isn't that quite a bit of cash for this? Are they ripping me off by trying to charge this much? Or is this pretty much standard? They said it was going to be this much because they were 'pot metal'. I about lost my **** when they gave me the price.

Anyhow - my car looks like crap right now without that bed chrome on it, and I really want to get it done. But - I don't know if that's a good price or not. Anyone else have any experience with this?

Oh yeah - and does anyone know where to get aftermarket pieces for these? If the aftermarket stuff is cheaper - I might look into that as well, I'm not completely sold on keeping the original stuff - especially at that price.

Actually thats not a bad price but your stuck on the pieces that go around the cab. You can buy the rear corners and stainless sides only. I got lucky and found some decent donors off another car, they are not perfect but respectable. I wanted mine redone but they qouted me a higher price they yours.

Chorming, man I thought it was some Cali thang this "NY redneck" was unaware of. ;)

Paid $85 for a tripower air lid. Now, those long pieces you're wanting done would be a royal pain to polish, as opposed to a flat lid. Assuming they have to polish up the metal prior to plating, I can exactly see why its so much. Remember, they have to strip, polish and then replate, copper then chrome.

Oh yeah, steel air cleaner lid vs potmetal long shapes. Anyway, I dont know palting prices, but I can imagine prep on those pieces is tough. Then there's the chemical regulations/costs in Cali ( and eveywhere really ).

So - that's two people here that think it's not a bad price. Okay, maybe I jumped the gun a little and had a small amount of "sticker shock."

I just have a hard time believing I am going to pay more to have 4 pieces chromed than I did to have my car painted! SHOCK AND AWE!

Chroming is pretty expensive around here, that'e for sure. Where did you take your stuff?

I had my chrome done at Master Plating, near the Coronado bridge. Great work but spendy. Just for an example it was $350/ea for my 70 bumpers.

I think that price is pretty good for replating diecast. Any pot metal stuff is way more expensive, but not everyone that does it does a good job. I have has diecast pieces completely trashed by some shops. The diecast stuff is way soft and can easily be buffed away or broken.

I think that price is pretty good for replating diecast. Any pot metal stuff is way more expensive, but not everyone that does it does a good job. I have has diecast pieces completely trashed by some shops. The diecast stuff is way soft and can easily be buffed away or broken.

I think that price is pretty good for replating diecast. Any pot metal stuff is way more expensive, but not everyone that does it does a good job. I have has diecast pieces completely trashed by some shops. The diecast stuff is way soft and can easily be buffed away or broken.


Just last week I took in a pair of BB valve cover to be rechromed. I settled for a 100.00 a piece, but was quoted from some shop as much a 250.00 apiece. I had my vigilite fender bezels rechromed and the price on those was 85.00 apiece.

Originally posted by RC 70:
Chroming is pretty expensive around here, that'e for sure. Where did you take your stuff?

I had my chrome done at Master Plating, near the Coronado bridge. Great work but spendy. Just for an example it was $350/ea for my 70 bumpers. I took that stuff to Pacific Plating on Jefferson st. right off of Rosecrans. I saw a lot of the stuff they've done, and it looks awesome. I feel kinda bad now - I guess I'll tell them to go ahead and do it. I have an extra pair of the lower pieces - should I get those done and then try to hock them on e-bay?

I guess it must be a logistic thing, I had my BB valve covers rechromed for $65.00 ea, and my air cleaner lid for $75.00. it's amazing the cost difference for the same things in different parts of the country.


Rocky

Don't expect chroming prices to get any cheaper. In fact, they will go out of sight before too many more years. It is a dying industry due to several factors. The increased use of plastics is a big factor and the EPA regs are next in line.

The next time you meet a tree hugger, slap the snot out of them about the increasing price of chroming.

Yea, I don't think that sounds out of line, I had a similar experience. Took a bunch of pot metal interior pieces to get replated, I'm thinking like $250 or so, and then they called me with a price of like $750! Shock and awe is pretty accurate description for my reaction as well. Rest assured though, what you are going to get back will look far better than any repo piece, of course that is if your plater is a good one.

Steve

pot metal........oh man most platers don't even want to touch the stuff ... air pockets in the parts make them REAL HARD to get a good plate on without bubbling :eek: ... thats one reason the price is HIGH ... the other is the EPA graemlins/angry.gif ... if you can find a plater who is willing to plate be willing to PAY !!

I plate small stuff on the side (can only do 25sq inches of chrome). Chrome tank time is only 3-5 minutes. 30+ minutes in the nickle, and up to an hour+ in copper depending on repair needed. Copper is used like the thick filler primer on body work for smoothing the surface. I personaly enjoy working a part where I just polish the metal, and then go right to the nickle and chrome smile.gif . The plating part is relatively cheap. Its the repair and prep thats the biggest cost. Especially if the part is in bad shape. The bubbles mentioned are hydrogen bubbles that like to form on the part in the nickle tank. It can be controlled but its a constant battle. EPA is really cracking down on emissions, partiulary chromic acid, and sulfuric acid (anodizing). It takes a 5 step process to make chromic acid safe to dispose.

How much did that whole setup you have cost?

The cost you quoted on the four pieces of cab molding .is exacatly what I paid 3 years ago ..for my 65... and I shoped and called around .. I and used a place in TX...
The local PA NY HJ guys were much more and had a 4 to 8 week waiting perioud...
A local custom chopper builder clains the wait is more like 3 to 4 months :eek:

Wow right in my ballpark, just saw the post and thought I would chime in here. I can get you guys good prices on chrome as my very good friend owns the chrome shop. I help to bring him in business and in turn usually make about 10% for myself. I get my stuff done there all the time and for other people. He does really nice clean work with a 1yr warranty agianst chrome problems not thing like if you drop it or have a wreck etc. Now as with everyhting the nicer the parts are that you send me the nicer they will come out. His potmetal work is pretty good and I would say is great for 90% of all the cars out there but would not be dead on original show perfect. I've got some parts here now I'm getting ready to ship out to some customers if anyone wants to see some pics of how good parts come out, e-mail me and I'll send you some. Or if you wnat me to give you some price quotes e-mail me for that too. Also does gold plating, and polishing of aluminum, copper, brass and stainless.

sdoss1@elp.rr.com
Sean