VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Chrome Plating....Again

There is an ad in the Feb. G&D from a chrome plater in Houston, Texas called Speed&Sport Chrome Plating. I spoke with him on the phone and he seems like a decent fellow whose prices are competetive. It is tempting to assume that an advertiser in the G&D is all right but that would be naive and Houston is a long way from central PA. Anyone had any dealing or experience with him?

Best Regards,
Tom

I have NOT dealt with this shop but have read about a company inMount Prospect near Chicago as being very good. (Concourse quality) I did have some work done out west (Tuson) that came out fairly well except they forgot to remove one of the key holes in the handle and ruined the tumblers. They did fix it but it had to go back and fourth. Good luck

Many of us in the Houston area have dealt with Speed & Sport Chrome Plating. They have always done a decent job for me. Like all plating shops some jobs are better than others. Craig has always been willing to redo if part did not come out as expected. Just remember that they can't do miracles when the parts are not in good condition.

Gentlemen,

Thank-you for your input. I already have my bumpers packaged and ready to send. I think I'll give Speed&Sport a try. My radiator shell and headlight bar are already (several months now) at a chrome plater here on the east coast. It's interesting how various shops are more competetive on some parts than others. I hhope I won't be making a mistake by parting out the chrome to more than one shop but over the course of all the parts I'll save perhaps several hundred dollars which will be put toward the interior.

Thanks Again,
Tom

I think that all quality platers try to produce a good product. Since the process highly depends on the preparation by grinders and buffers, the result depends on who did the work and how much direct supervision they receive. If you expect top quality work for rock bottom prices, you are sure to be disappointed no matter who does the work. Being critical and expecting reasonable results for reasonable cost should get you a satisfactory result.

A friend has had his radiator shell and other parts at a Mass. plating shop for over 10 months. They have made repeated promises and have not followed thru. After a surprise visit last Thursday they again made promises for completion in two weeks (this time in writing). At least with them being within driving distance it lowers the possibility of losing items in transit. There were lots of parts waiting to be repaired and chromed, but there was not a lot of work being done. It was scary to say the least to think of what the future will bring and how many may be affected. I will hold off naming the shop until my friend has his items back.

I have had very good luck with Nu-Chrome in Mass. Always done well over a 10-year period. (Could not afford to have it all done at once)I have dropped off part to their rep at both Carlisle and Hershey. He examines the parts and gives a firm price quote on the spot, writes up the paperwork and the have always delivered. Jo

I have had some things done @ Electroplating of El Paso,Tx. and found them to be GREAT

I would definitely like to know the name of the shop in question. There was a shop in Mass that I was thinking of sending stuff to but decided to hold off until I'm closer to needing the chrome.

Please let us know once the loose ends are tied up.

Still waiting for a 32 radiator shell to be rechromed at NU-CHROME. It's only been there for 10 months or so.

Posted on the 54 forum...I have used Fernados here in Pdx twice..bothb times turn-around was right on 3 weeks...work has been all show quality. Bill

I posted the reply in reference to the posting by 31PHAETON so that others may be aware of the problem with this vendor. I would highly advise anyone considering Nu-Chrome to avoid them. At one time they did excellent work and in a fairly timely manner, however their work ethic has changed, they don't follow thru on promises, fail to return calls, and when offering to refund monies for deposits paid they advise you may have to hold the check for a couple of weeks.

Steve, I've had many pieces done at Nu-Chrome, and they do quality work. It is a scary process because they insist on a 50% deposit when you give them the part, and the low lighting and few employees in the shop give you the impression that they could go out of business at any time. If they go belly up, then you're out your deposit and you lose your hard to replace part. If I were you, I would visit them unannounced and demand to see your part, and determine the progress made since the last visit. If there is no progress, then I would demand the deposit back with the part, and take your work elsewhere. Good luck.

I had a front bumper for my 48 done by Nu-Chrome a few years ago. The end result was acceptable and it was completed by the date promised, BUT as the due date approached, I had to keep hounding them by telephone. Also more expensive than other places I've heard about. Not sure about this but I believe they are banned from advertising in Hemmings due to bad reports.
I won't use them anymore.

For more reviews on Nu-Chrome, check out this link....
http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/s...874285/hl/Nuchrome/fromsearch/1/#1874285

Fortunately the shell belongs to a friend and is not mine. You are correct on how they operate-50 percent down. They have a new location and the lighting is fine now, but still few employees (counted four including a salesman). The building is huge with a lot of stuff waiting to be plated. I think the biggest problem is their fabricator/welder is no longer there and they have not hired a replacement. We did exactly as you suggested and went unannounced a month ago and after searching thru several shelves and piles found the parts. All chrome had been stripped and some repairs attempted but not ready for plating. The owner is in Florida and his son is in charge. He (owners son) made a commitment to my friend to finish it himself in two weeks and a reduction in the cost which my friend agreed to. The option was to take the parts and a post dated check hoping it would clear in a couple of weeks. After two weeks leaving numerous messages on "sonnys" voice mail he called back to say he needed more time and again would have it ready in two weeks. Next week will be the end of the extended two weeks. The really scary part is that when we visited there were two 32 rad shells there and neither were tagged who they belonged to.

Thanks for the link Ken, pretty interesting. I'm not surprised at what I read, but am surpised that was three years ago and they are still in business. I used New England Chrome Plating in CT. recently and was very satisfied. They did my 51 complete grill and pot metal "mohawks"(top of rear fenders) and it was just a little over $1000.00 completed in two months.

You guys in the North east should try this place, it is a lot closer than Texas and they did an excellent job on my parts, some of which were quite rough.

http://www.theplatinghouseofcanada.ca/

Thanks for the info Pat. I had a lot of rechroming done in Canada about 14 years ago when doing my 32. At that time there was an exchange rate advantage, however now it has gone in the opposite direction. I priced rechroming the bumpers for a 51 and the estimate was $800.each while I can get both done here in the US for that amount. New England Chrome attends a monthly local car flea market that is 10 miles from my home and I can drop off and pick up my parts with no charge for transportation.Turnaround time is usually 30-60days depending on the item and quantity being done.

Ogden chrome They pay shipping both ways .They will have ups pick it up at your house and drop it off when they are done. usually in 2 to 4 weeks. I had a small issue they paid for shipping both ways and did the repair and I had it back in 10 days .

So far,the Ogden Plating shop seems to fill all the requirements needed by me! Can you tell us where it is located,maybe a phone contact #..? That would be great,THANKS!!

I believe this is the Ogden shop refered to above.

http://www.ogdenchrome.com/

Harold

Go to Google and type in "Ogden Plating" and their web site will come up with the contact information.

Thanks guys,Jay

I used the same place in Mass. to have 4 handles done . They got them in aug of '12 and I am still waiting. They don't return phone calls. Getting frustated. Be going somewhere else next time

If you can I would suggest you pay them a visit unannounced and ask to see your handles. My impression is they will have a hard time locating them.