Roscobbc
Moderator
Thats interesting to know. Let's hope that Paragon have invested wisely in the press tools and subjected them to a proper maintenance programme. Press tools do eventually wear out.........
Future C3 Owner Questions
- Thread starter GCorvette
- Start date
Nassau65
CCCUK Member
That’s certainly true for the Chinese or Asian copy’s, not sure on the US made versions as haven’t seen any to view. Not sure what they would charge over here now to re chrome a set, used The London chroming co quite a few time for bumpers the last was on a e-type and the cost was £1700
Roscobbc
Moderator
The company I worked for (before retirement) manufacturered high-end decorative metal switches and sockets for the domestic market. Chrome and Nickel (both polished and satin) were on a high grade flat sheet brass base metal. The grade was important to avoid any impurities enbedded in the brass affecting the final finish. Our finishes were acknowledged by all of the trade and competition to be the very best on the market......one could actually use a socket as a mirror.......the reflection of your face was 100% perfect with no distortion. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Essex Finishers for plating 'new' material, the quality of their chrome plating is superb.........however most of their work is on new material - they will use an outside specialist to polish and make good (includling welding-in fresh metal) for 'old' metal. It is this work that that is the most important part of the whole process - I had a provisional figure quoted a couple of years ago for the front bumper of my '68 and they mentioned a figure of perhaps £600 or more. Haven't seen a finished bumper to make comment.
Essex Finishers, Unit 3 Hallsford Bridge Industrial Estate, Stondon Road, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9RE -
speak to Keith Baldwin on Phone: 07766 118323 = E-mail: essexfinishers@outlook.com
Essex Finishers, Unit 3 Hallsford Bridge Industrial Estate, Stondon Road, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9RE -
speak to Keith Baldwin on Phone: 07766 118323 = E-mail: essexfinishers@outlook.com
CaptainK
CCCUK Member
I can answer this one as recently I had the choice of rechrome my "original" bumpers, or get new ones. I got a quote from a local-ish re-chromer and they said about £1k for the front bumper and round £500 for EACH of the rear bumpers.
I had a look on the interwebz and found a PAIR of rear bumpers for just under £500 all in with delivery from US etc. They're US made ones apparently. So I took a punt and bought them.
The "original" ones I took off my car I'm not sure are actually original, and indeed one has markers implying its from a scrapyard possibly. Anyway, they were chrome peeling and rusting and looked really bad. When I took them off, they looked like they had been butchered to fit the rear of the car properly and didn't look good at all. So I was glad for my new ones. The new ones are super shiny and doing well so far. I did have to expand a few of the mounting holes on them to get them to fit my car, and I bought a new set of rear bumper mounting bolts too, and I got them to fit. I guess the mounting points on the rear of my car are slightly out of alignment. Anyway, so far so good with the new ones and they were half the price of re-chroming my "original" ones. I've kept the "original" ones just in case though.
The same is true for the front bumper - about half the cost to buy one than re-chrome. haven't done my front bumper though as to be honest its MILES better than my rear ones were. I just polish it here and there. Alas I'm not made of money to replace the front one too, as got other things to do like replace the weatherstrip on my Vette, just last couple of weeks buying the kit for that - now to work out how to fit them.
I had a look on the interwebz and found a PAIR of rear bumpers for just under £500 all in with delivery from US etc. They're US made ones apparently. So I took a punt and bought them.
The "original" ones I took off my car I'm not sure are actually original, and indeed one has markers implying its from a scrapyard possibly. Anyway, they were chrome peeling and rusting and looked really bad. When I took them off, they looked like they had been butchered to fit the rear of the car properly and didn't look good at all. So I was glad for my new ones. The new ones are super shiny and doing well so far. I did have to expand a few of the mounting holes on them to get them to fit my car, and I bought a new set of rear bumper mounting bolts too, and I got them to fit. I guess the mounting points on the rear of my car are slightly out of alignment. Anyway, so far so good with the new ones and they were half the price of re-chroming my "original" ones. I've kept the "original" ones just in case though.
The same is true for the front bumper - about half the cost to buy one than re-chrome. haven't done my front bumper though as to be honest its MILES better than my rear ones were. I just polish it here and there. Alas I'm not made of money to replace the front one too, as got other things to do like replace the weatherstrip on my Vette, just last couple of weeks buying the kit for that - now to work out how to fit them.
GCorvette
CCCUK Member
Many thanks for that, an excellent price reference point if I need to factor an upgrade.
CaptainK
CCCUK Member
I will add though that its hard to find a good priced set of new bumpers and delivered from US. Most places are really expensive, and I got mine last year - I suspect prices have gone up quite a lot nowadays for stuff from the US.Many thanks for that, an excellent price reference point if I need to factor an upgrade.
Nassau65
CCCUK Member
The days of cheaply priced items from the states is slowly disappearing. Inflation has pushed the price up in dollars, and our exchange rate has gone down . Shipping has increased, and all our tax to pay doesn’t help one bit.
alas Corvette specific items are possibly the most expensive domestic parts to buy.
Yes, some things can still work out cheaper, buy carefully.
alas Corvette specific items are possibly the most expensive domestic parts to buy.
Yes, some things can still work out cheaper, buy carefully.
GCorvette
CCCUK Member
Insanely so sadly.
What with everything else going on, it seems like all the fun in life is slowly being squeezed out.
sublimemike
Well-known user
Replica Chrome Brush Plating kit car bike restoration. Jewellery antique B7 | eBay
Rub the item using the swab and etch pickle. Do this for a couple of minutes, then rinse the item. With our gloves on we first have to degrease the item. Use the swab and the alkaline degreaser to clean the item.
www.ebay.co.uk
CaptainK
CCCUK Member
Nice one thanks. That seller isn't too far from me, and is only "just down the road" from where I used to live. They have a website here:Anyone used this? Looks a cut above the usual chrome spray / pens etc. Maybe good for touch ins where chrome is flaky? Certainly wouldn't use it for a big jobs .Replica Chrome Brush Plating kit car bike restoration. Jewellery antique B7 | eBay
Rub the item using the swab and etch pickle. Do this for a couple of minutes, then rinse the item. With our gloves on we first have to degrease the item. Use the swab and the alkaline degreaser to clean the item.www.ebay.co.uk
ePlating. Market leading supplier of DIY electro plating kits
ePlating are suppliers of DIY electro plating kits. We specialise in electro plating kits and brush plating kits for the restoration enthusiast
classic-plating.co.uk
Their website sells replica chrome plating kits, and do mention for use on classic cars etc. I'll have to look into it when I finally get around to touching up my front bumper etc.
Roscobbc
Moderator
Don't tell your insurer of any modifications like hikes to engine power, aftermarket wheels and stuff? - at best if the car gets stolen you'll not get the cost of the mod's back (that's a 'given')........at worst you will be technically classed as uninsured......for not declaring modifications to the vehicles that were first asked by the insurance company or broker when first insuring the car.
James Vette
CCCUK Member
I'd like to chrome the egg crate grills.
Nassau65
CCCUK Member
That wouldn’t increase your premium even if you told them. They are more concerned with engine mods and possibly aftermarket wheels ( god knows why wheels should affect a premium unless they think it’s more stealable. )
Nassau65
CCCUK Member
Saw a couple of mustangs yesterday both convertibles parked up at different locations in London ( city) both had disc lock steering wheel covers on.
I have one for my every day driver, but will now probably get one for the 65. Handy to put on at a show .
can’t use the daily’s one as it doesn’t fit, the vettes steering wheel is bigger. They are also different handed ie LHD & RHD
just looked on disc locks website LHD is not in stock. You can use a RHD one, the arm just sits the other way
I have one for my every day driver, but will now probably get one for the 65. Handy to put on at a show .
can’t use the daily’s one as it doesn’t fit, the vettes steering wheel is bigger. They are also different handed ie LHD & RHD
just looked on disc locks website LHD is not in stock. You can use a RHD one, the arm just sits the other way
CaptainK
CCCUK Member
I've got my mods declared with my insurer, and a good thing too as they are in the club . Doesn't seem to affect the insurance.
But talking of changing wheels upping the cost of insurance - ages back I changed the 16 inch standard alloys on my FTO to lightweight 17 inch ones available in this country. I declared it to the insurer in case it made a difference - alloy wheel to allow wheel - and it came out as a LOT more for some reason. So I said that in the event of an accident, which do you think would be cheaper for you to replace - the standard 16 inch FTO wheels, which is a car only made for the Jap market and thus you'd have to order them from Japan etc (I checked - just ONE alloy cost more (without shipping etc) than the entire new alloy set I bought complete with tyres and delivery), OR a set of much cheaper aftermarket alloys easily available in the UK? They saw my point, and immediately dropped the extra increase in premium.
. Doesn't seem to affect the insurance.But talking of changing wheels upping the cost of insurance - ages back I changed the 16 inch standard alloys on my FTO to lightweight 17 inch ones available in this country. I declared it to the insurer in case it made a difference - alloy wheel to allow wheel - and it came out as a LOT more for some reason. So I said that in the event of an accident, which do you think would be cheaper for you to replace - the standard 16 inch FTO wheels, which is a car only made for the Jap market and thus you'd have to order them from Japan etc (I checked - just ONE alloy cost more (without shipping etc) than the entire new alloy set I bought complete with tyres and delivery), OR a set of much cheaper aftermarket alloys easily available in the UK? They saw my point, and immediately dropped the extra increase in premium.
Roscobbc
Moderator
I learnt that 'lesson' many years earlier with one of my eary cars, a lowered Moggy Minor with a set of 5 1/2" 'J's steel wheels. Hiked insurance by 50% for a car with knackered-out stock engine. Good thing about American stuff is that its not really apparant to most people what is stock or modified.I've got my mods declared with my insurer, and a good thing too as they are in the club
But talking of changing wheels upping the cost of insurance - ages back I changed the 16 inch standard alloys on my FTO to lightweight 17 inch ones available in this country. I declared it to the insurer in case it made a difference - alloy wheel to allow wheel - and it came out as a LOT more for some reason. So I said that in the event of an accident, which do you think would be cheaper for you to replace - the standard 16 inch FTO wheels, which is a car only made for the Jap market and thus you'd have to order them from Japan etc (I checked - just ONE alloy cost more (without shipping etc) than the entire new alloy set I bought complete with tyres and delivery), OR a set of much cheaper aftermarket alloys easily available in the UK? They saw my point, and immediately dropped the extra increase in premium.
