Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => Lounge => Topic started by: vinnietbird on December 01, 2010, 02:55:39 PM

Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: vinnietbird on December 01, 2010, 02:55:39 PM
Anyone know a place that does chrome plating reasonably? There's a place about 40 miles from here...they quoted $700.00 to do 2 valve covers. HOLY  !!!
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: Romeo2k on December 01, 2010, 03:47:11 PM
I hope you laughed into the phone and hung up right after that qoute. ;)
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: vinnietbird on December 01, 2010, 03:57:55 PM
It seems it'll have to wait....the cheapest I found was $350.00. The most was $800.00. I will start thinking of a "plan B".
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: vinnietbird on December 01, 2010, 04:08:55 PM
I'm not looking for a chrome plater anymore. I never knew it was that crazy for two small parts.
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: BadTriumph on December 01, 2010, 04:40:32 PM
What about powder coating? There are some really cool finishes and I think it would be more durable than chrome in the long run.
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: vinnietbird on December 01, 2010, 05:28:02 PM
Well,with my engine Ford Blue and aluminum (polished mostly),I don't think powder coating will fit my needs. I really don't want them blue. Chrome is what I want.I have some more investigating to do.
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: Ductape91 on December 01, 2010, 05:44:34 PM
i feel you on the chrome platting/dipping exxxxxxaggerated prices, when i was trying to get a part from a motorcycle chromed(that small triangle thing that holds the forks together) for my dads harley shiznitbike the cheapest i got quoted was $350 bucks, maybe if i was getting the whole thing with the forks but for just one tiny part.
dipping cost more for some reason.

i cant see them not already making chrome valve covers for 5.0 somewhere or is this a different motor?
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: vinnietbird on December 01, 2010, 05:52:54 PM
There are tons of chrome covers out there,but not factory Cobra covers.They are double walled steel like the MN-12 Thunderbird 5.0 engines,but they have the raised letters "COBRA" embossed in them.
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: Davemutt on December 02, 2010, 01:54:52 PM
I have a guy locally that did some stuff for my '69 Cougar and I didn't think his prices were too bad.  Door handles were $100 or $120 for the pair I think and the rear window boomerangs were $150 for the pair.  These are small parts, but there was a lot of pitting that he had to fix and they look amazing.

If your parts are not damaged, he could probably give you a phone quote.

He also did these bumper guards, but I don't remember the price on these.

(http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6076/dscf0012dh.jpg)

My guy couldn't fit my bumpers in his tank so I got them from a vendor in OR who sends cores down to Mexico to get replated.  They do a great job and their environmental restrictions are a littel easier so its much more affordable south of the boarder.
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: vinnietbird on December 02, 2010, 01:58:06 PM
Send me his info. My parts are mint NOS valve covers.
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: Davemutt on December 02, 2010, 03:08:30 PM
PM sent.  $700 is crazy, but even $350 sounds high to me.

I wonder if it costs more to plate aluminum for some reason?
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: vinnietbird on December 02, 2010, 03:23:14 PM
These are steel that I want done. I've explained that to everyone I talk to. No aluminum,just steel.They still charge cray high prices.
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: Davemutt on December 02, 2010, 04:07:11 PM
Well I agree then - $350 is way too high for that.

My guy's shop is pretty small so they work on preping the parts for a couple of weeks then have a scheduled chrome day every two or three weeks where they plate everything they've been accumulating.  It may take a while, but they do great work.  I hope he can give you a good quote.
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: 50tbrd88 on December 02, 2010, 04:16:58 PM
I know it sounds dorky, but a local guy I know built a show-level '34 Ford truck to showcase his body shop and he painted some of his front suspension parts with a chrome paint (don't laugh).  This was a very high-quality paint made by a well-known company...I just cannot remember for the life of me what he told me the brand-name was.  The outcome was VERY nice and was a much cheaper alternative than having the pieces actually chromed.  You could barely tell it wasn't actual chrome.

This guy takes his truck to indoor shows and has won quite a few awards...


Here is a link to the truck (http://"http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v690/butchbov/Classic%20Cruisers/20081004%201st%20Annual%20Apple%20Festival%20Cruise-in/?albumview=slideshow#/grid")...its entry #24.

Just an idea of something to look into...
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: vinnietbird on December 02, 2010, 04:49:53 PM
I'd really like to have actual chrome. I think it would be more durable under the hood,and more resistant to working on the engine and such. Since mine is a daily driver,I need durable.
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: sarjxxx on December 02, 2010, 06:06:06 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;344056
mine is a daily driver

ohhh thats how you afford all this work ;)

its nice to be able to let my cat sit while it gets worked on but it sucks not being able to pour money into it b/c I've got a more important car to take car of first.
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: vinnietbird on December 02, 2010, 06:25:47 PM
It sucks,but I love driving it. I have ZERO dollars for the Sport every single month unless I trade,or sell parts.Period.A true labor of love.

Want to buy some NEW 1.7 Cobra roller rockers?
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: sarjxxx on December 02, 2010, 06:28:59 PM
uh... v6.....

you want some HO plates?
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: vinnietbird on December 02, 2010, 06:37:52 PM
PM me.
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: Eliminator on December 03, 2010, 09:08:17 AM
hey vinnie, Im almost ready to do my spray on chrome process.... much cheaper than real hard chrome
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: Aerocoupe on December 03, 2010, 10:37:54 AM
What about Ramos in OKC?  They were very reasonable when I got my hood hinges, prop rod, and hood latch chromed there.  Granted it was over ten years ago but they were recommended by a couple of the guys that are in the SW Street Rod Assoc.

Ramos Chrome Plating CO
1320 South Walker Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73109
Phone: (405)232-4300

Darren
Title: Looking for a plater......
Post by: vinnietbird on December 03, 2010, 05:20:54 PM
I'll call them.Plus,they are fairly close.Thanks.